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Double-blind Crossover Study With Levorotatory Form of Hydroxytryptophan in Patients With Degenerative Cerebellar Diseases
Karl Wessel, MD;
Joachim Hermsdörfer, PhD;
Karin Deger;
Thomas Herzog, MD;
Georg Peter Huss, MD;
Deflef Kömpf, MD;
Norbert Mai, PhD;
Klaus Schimrigk, MD;
Anja Wittkämper, MD;
Wolfram Ziegler, PhD
Arch Neurol. 1995;52(5):451-455.
Abstract
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Objective
To determine whether treatment with the levorotatory form of hydroxytryptophan (L-5-hydroxytryptophan), a controversial experimental drug, can improve the conditions of patients with ataxia.
Design
A double-blind crossover study with the levorotatory form of hydroxytryptophan was performed in 39 patients with degenerative cerebellar diseases.
Setting
Patients were selected from an ongoing prospective follow-up study at two university hospitals.
Patients
We studied 19 patients with Friedreich's ataxia, 13 with cerebellar atrophy, and seven with olivopontocerebellar atrophy.
Intervention
The levorotatory form of hydroxytryptophan was given orally in a dose of 1000 mg/d. Each treatment phase, with the levorotatory form of hydroxytryptophan or the placebo, lasted 10 months, after which the treatment of patients was crossed over to the other phase.
Main Outcome Measures
Ataxia was documented and quantified by using a clinical score, posturography, and measurement of grip force and the rapid-syllable repetition rate.
Result
The levorotatory form of hydroxytryptophan had no significant effect on cerebellar symptoms.
Conclusion
Long-term treatment with a high dose of the levorotatory form of hydroxytryptophan does not improve the conditions of patients with ataxia.
Author Affiliations
From the Department of Neurology, Medical University of Lübeck (Drs Wessel, Huss, Kömpf, and Wittkämper), the Department of Neurology, University of Homburg/Saar (Drs Herzog and Schimrigk), and the Clinical Neuropsychology Research Group, Krankenhaus Bogenhausen, Munich (Drs Hermsdörfer, Mai, and Ziegler and Ms Deger), Germany.
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