Effects of Creatine Supplementation in Rett Syndrome

Summary

Creatine supplementation in RTT: a randomized controlled trial

Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by apparently normal early development (stage 1 of RTT) followed by loss of purposeful hand use, distinctive hand stereotypes, slow brain growth, loss of language, respiratory irregularities, gastrointestinal disturbances, gait abnormalities, seizures, and mental retardation. These symptoms typically appear between 6 and 18 months of age (stage 2). Subsequently, there is gradual stabilisation of severe mental retardation and motor compromise (stage 3). The majority (70% to 80%) of patients show mutations in the methyl-CpG-binding-protein-2 (MeCP2) gene, located on chromosome Xq28. MeCP2 encodes a transcription repressor protein that is ubiquitously expressed in all tissues.

As RTT primarily affects females, only very few males with mutations in MeCP2 have been identified. Mutations in MeCP2 have also been identified in children with X-linked mental retardation, autism and a clinical phenotype that resembles Angelman Syndrome.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of a dietary supplement on the biochemical and clinical parameter of RTT. About 80 % of labile methyl groups generated through the re-methylation cycle are used for the synthesis of creatine within the human organism. Supplementation of creatine will therefore increase the availability of labile methyl groups for different methylation reactions including methylation of DNA.

The study will be double blind and cross-over. The patients will get creatine monophosphate (200 mg/kg/d in three dosages per day) or placebo. After 6 months and a wash-out period of 4 weeks the groups are changed for the next 6 months.

All participants with RTT and mutations in MeCP2 will undergo physical and neurological exam, quantitative EEG, behavioral assessment, laboratory testing, and neuropsychological evaluations. Participants will have a follow-up after 3, 6, 10, 13 and 16 months (3 months after finishing the study), which will include similar assessments.

Conditions

• Rett Syndrome

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Creatine monohydrate

The patients received orally 200 mg CMH per kg body weight divided in three doses per day. Following period 1 (6 months) of supplementation and a wash-out period of 4 weeks without CMH the groups were switched for another 6 months (period 2).

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Placebo

The patients received orally 200 mg Placebo per kg body weight divided in three doses per day. Following period 1 (6 months) of supplementation and a wash-out period of 4 weeks without placebo the groups were switched for another 6 months (period 2).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Medical University of Vienna

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Michael Freilinger, MD · Medical University Vienna, Dep. Pediatrics

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

QUADRUPLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

3 Years

Max Age

24 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2005-01-31

Primary Completion

2008-01-31

Completion

2009-01-31

Countries

• Austria

Study Locations