Rinsho Shinkeigaku (Clinical Neurology)

Original Article

A clinical trial of creatine monohydrate in muscular dystrophy patients

Tsuyoshi Matsumura, M.D.1), Masaru Yokoe, M.D.2), Masayuki Nakamori, M.D.2), Noriaki Hattori, M.D.3), Toshio Saito, M.D.1), Sonoko Nozaki, M.D.1), Harutoshi Fujimura, M.D.1) and Susumu Shinno, M.D.1)

1)Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Toneyama National Hospital
2)Department of Neurology, Graduated School of Osaka University
3)BF Research Institute, Inc, National Cardiovascular Center

To investigate the effects of creatine monohydrate on muscle performance and cognitive functions in muscular dystrophy patients, we made an open trial. Twenty-nine individuals, including 14 myotonic dystrophy (DM), seven facioscapurohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), two limb-girdle muscular dystrophy and six healthy volunteers, were enrolled in this study and 27 participants completed it. All participants took creatine 20 g/day for an initial week and 5 g/day for successive eight weeks. Somatotonic measurements, global subjective assessment, muscle performance, cardiopulmonary function, cognitive function, laboratory studies and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) were evaluated at both pre and post examination.
Subjective improvements were reported from twelve individuals. Contrary adverse effects were also complained from ten individuals, although all these problems were not serious. Quantitative muscle power was slightly but significantly increased in the patients and the number of the patients who failed to complete cycle ergometer test was decreased. Phosphocreatine concentrations of left calf muscle were not different between pre and post trial examination. No obvious changes were detected in cardiopulmonary assessment, cognitive function and laboratory date.
Creatine has certain expectance for muscular dystrophy patients in motor performance. The effect may be achieved not only by increase of energy buffer, because clinical improvements were observed in our study nevertheless no increase was detected in phosphocreatine concentration. The usage of creatine should be managed under medical monitoring since ideal protocol has not yet been established and adverse effects can not be ignored.

(CLINICA NEUROL, 44: 661－666, 2004)
key words: creatine, supplement, muscular dystrophy, therapy

(Received: 15-Mar-04)