July 16, 2007

Review finds coQ10 safe and well tolerated by patients with neurodegenerative diseases

A review published in the June, 2007 issue of the journal Mitochondrion concluded that coenzyme Q10 (coQ10) is safe in relatively high doses and may be prove to be an effective treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington's disease, and Parkinson's disease, which are neurodegenerative diseases associated with aging.

Wendy R. Galpern of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke in Bethesda, Maryland, and Merit E. Cudkowicz of Massachusetts General Hospital East in Charlestown selected 1 ongoing trial and 1 completed study of ALS, 5 trials of Huntington's disease patients, 7 Parkinson's disease trials, and 1 ongoing trial of Alzheimer's disease and 2 of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) for their review.

For ALS patients, 3000 milligrams per day coQ10 was safe and well-tolerated. The ongoing trial included in the review will be evaluating preliminary signs of efficacy for 1800 milligrams or 2700 milligrams coQ10 compared with a placebo.

Among patients with Huntington disease, coenzyme Q10 was discovered to lower brain lactate levels, which are elevated in this disease. Doses of up to 3600 milligrams daily were found to be safe and well tolerated. A phase III trial is being planned to determine whether the compound has the ability to slow the disease's progression.

Coenzyme Q10's benefit in Parkinson's disease has been demonstrated in several studies. Plasma levels of coQ10 have been shown to plateau when between 2400 and 3600 milligrams per day were consumed.

Although lower doses of coQ10 may be helpful for healthy individuals, high doses may be needed to improve symptoms for those with neurodegenerative diseases. The current review has shown that these doses are generally safe and well tolerated, however, more research needs to be conducted in the area of efficacy to confirm laboratory research and preliminary clinical findings.

—D Dye

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