Potential Benefits of Nutritional Support in ALS

A small, phase II, randomized trial raises the possibility that caloric supplementation with high-carbohydrate feeds may benefit patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that has proven stubbornly resistant to therapy development efforts. The absence of effective drug therapies has focused attention on the importance of comprehensive multidisciplinary care and the potential utility of nonpharmacological measures such as respiratory and nutritional support. Investigators undertook this small, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a hypercaloric diet in ALS patients already receiving percutaneous enteral nutrition. Twenty-four participants were randomized 1:1:1 to receive 4 months of treatment with a high-carbohydrate hypercaloric (HC/HC) diet, a high-fat hypercaloric diet (HF/HC) — each with the goal of mild weight gain …

Reviewing Author

Michael Benatar, MD, MS, PhD

Disclosures

Grant / Research supportNIH NeuroBioBank; ALS Association; NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; NIH/National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences; FDA; Department of Defense

Editorial boardsCochrane Collaboration

Leadership positions in professional societiesMuscle Study Group Executive Committee

Michael Benatar, MD, MS, PhD

Disclosures

Editorial boardsCochrane Collaboration

Leadership positions in professional societiesMuscle Study Group Executive Committee

Potential Benefits of Nutritional Support in ALS

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Reviewing Author