Defining the Anti-inflammatory Role of Lipoic Acid in Multiple Sclerosis

Status:	Completed
Conditions:	Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis
Therapuetic Areas:	Neurology, Other
Healthy:	No
Age Range:	18 - Any
Updated:	4/2/2016
Start Date:	August 2010
End Date:	December 2012
Contact:	Daniel Carr, Ph.D.
Email:	carrd@ohsu.edu
Phone:	503-721-7918

The purpose of this study is to learn about how the antioxidant, lipoic acid, works in the
body and how it may help in the management of relapsing remitting and secondary progressive
multiple sclerosis. This study will compare how subject's and healthy volunteers bodies
absorb and break down the supplement. This information may help in developing new therapies.

Subjects will be recruited through patients of investigators at Portland VA Medical Center
(PVAMC), Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), and the community using flyers and word
of mouth.

The following will occur during screening:

- Medical History Questionnaire to include questions about drug and alcohol use

- Self Administered Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) Questionnaire (MS
participants only)

- Vital Signs (heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure) will be measured and
recorded

- Physical Exam (MS participants only unless necessary, based on the Medical History
Questionnaire or vital signs, to ensure participant safety)

- Neurological Exam (MS participants only unless necessary, based on the Medical History
Questionnaire or vital signs, to ensure participant safety)

- Weight

- Urine pregnancy test, if applicable

- Anemia testing by finger stick (approximately 1 drop)

The rest of the study involves

- Blood draws before lipoic acid is given, 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours, 24 and 48
hours after LA is given (3 ½ tablespoons)

- Subjects will receive breakfast before they take LA

- Subjects will take 4 - 300 mg capsules of lipoic acid (LA) for a total of 1200mg with
about 1 cup of water

Inclusion/Exclusion criteria for MS subjects.

Inclusion criteria:

1. Adult at least 18 years of age able to provide informed consent

2. Currently diagnosed with relapsing remitting or secondary progressive MS

Exclusion criteria:

1. Self-reported current substance/alcohol abuse/dependence or sobriety for less than 90
days

2. History of traumatic brain injury as defined by a loss of consciousness of greater
than 30 minutes

3. History of a medical condition associated with persisting cognitive problems or
serious central nervous system dysfunction (e.g., brain tumor,dementia)

4. MS exacerbation within 30 days of study entry

5. Systemically administered corticosteroids within 30 days of study entry

6. Pregnant or breast-feeding

7. Anti-coagulant use such as Heparin, Coumadin, or Aspirin while enrolled in the study

8. Other significant health problem (e.g. active coronary heart disease, liver disease,
pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus) that might increase the risk of subject
experiencing adverse events

9. Any condition which would make the subject, in the opinion of the investigator,
unsuitable for the study

10. Anemia as indicated by a POC hemoglobin <12

11. Subjects of child bearing potential or subjects capable of causing pregnancy who are
sexually active and unwilling to use effective contraceptive methods for the duration
of the study

Inclusion/ Exclusion criteria for healthy controls.

Inclusion criteria:

1) Adult at least 18 years of age able to provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria:

1. Self-reported current substance/alcohol abuse/dependence or sobriety for less than 90
days

2. History of traumatic brain injury as defined by a loss of consciousness of greater
than 30 minutes

3. History of a medical condition associated with persisting cognitive problems or
serious central nervous system dysfunction (e.g., brain tumor,dementia)

4. Pregnant or breast-feeding

5. Anti-coagulant use such as Heparin, Coumadin, or Aspirin while enrolled in the study

6. Other significant health problem (e.g. active coronary heart disease, liver disease,
pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus) that might increase the risk of subject
experiencing adverse events

7. Any condition which would make the subject, in the opinion of the investigator,
unsuitable for the study

8. Anemia as indicated by a POC hemoglobin <12

9. Subjects of child bearing potential or subjects capable of causing pregnancy who are
sexually active and unwilling to use effective contraceptive methods for the duration
of the study

We found this trial at

sites

Portland VA Medical Center

Portland, Oregon 97239

from

Portland, OR