Pilot trial of branched-chain aminoacids in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Abstract

22 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis were entered into a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial of treatment with branched-chain aminoacids. 11 received daily 12 g L-leucine, 8 g L-isoleucine, and 6.4 g L-valine, by mouth, and the remainder received placebo. During the one-year trial, patients in the placebo group showed a linear decline in functional status consistent with the natural history of the disease. Those treated with aminoacids showed significant benefit in terms of maintenance of extremity muscle strength and continued ability to walk.