Lipoic Acid Reduces Brain Atrophy in Secondary Progressive MS

LONDON—Daily oral intake of 1,200 mg of racemic lipoic acid significantly reduces the rate of whole brain atrophy among patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), according to data described at the 32nd Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in MS (ECTRIMS). Overall, lipoic acid is safe and well tolerated.

“These results need further exploration in a larger sample size to clarify the effect size of lipoic acid, to determine the clinical benefits associated with reduction in brain atrophy, and to explore the mechanisms of action of lipoic acid in progressive MS,” said Rebecca Spain, MD, MSPH, neurologist at the VA Portland Health Care System and Oregon Health & Science University in Portland.