Lipoic Acid May Slow Brain Atrophy in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

The over‐the‐counter supplement lipoic acid may have a small beneficial effect in slowing the loss of gray matter in the brains of people with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis, according to new research led by Oregon Health & Science University and the Portland VA Health Care System. However, the randomized controlled trial found that it did not improve the primary clinical outcome measured by walking speed. The findings were published in the journalNeurology. The study included 54 participants with primary progressive and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. People in the experimental group took a daily 1,200‐milligram dose of lipoic acid over two years. Researchers compared the outcomes with 61 people who were given a placebo. They measured the primary outcome as walking speed. Secondary outcomes included brain atrophy measured by magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, other clinical outcomes, and safety.