Coenzyme Q10 Not Useful in Treating Huntington Disease

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial showed no difference in functional outcomes at up to 5 years.

To determine whether use of coenzyme Q10 in early-stage Huntington disease (HD) can slow functional decline, researchers undertook a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Across 48 sites, 609 patients were recruited and received 2400 mg of coenzyme Q10 or placebo daily for up to 5 years.

A futility analysis was performed at a predefined interim time point, and the study was halted when 258 participants remained active in the study and 206 had completed 5-year follow-up. A joint rank analysis comparing the change from baseline to 5 years in the total functional capacity score (or the total functional capacity score plus the time to death if the patient died) showed no significant differences between treatment groups…

Reviewing Author

Michael S. Okun, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardParkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America

Speaker’s BureauMedscape/WebMD CME, Movement Disorders Society CME, American Academy of Neurology CME

RoyaltiesBooks4Patients; Demos; Cambridge; Taylor and Francis; Robert Rose; Public Affairs

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; Parkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America; University of Florida Foundation

Editorial BoardsTremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements; JAMA Neurology

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesParkinson’s Foundation (Medical Advisor)