Randomized, double-blind, pilot evaluation of intravenous glutathione in Parkinson's disease.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual randomized controlled trial
PubMed 19230029 · doi:10.1002/mds.22401
What was done
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial evaluating the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of intravenous glutathione in Parkinson's disease patients with motor symptoms inadequately controlled on current medication. Twenty-one participants were randomized to receive either IV glutathione 1,400 mg (n = 11) or placebo (n = 10) three times weekly for 4 weeks, followed by an 8-week post-treatment evaluation.
What was found
Glutathione was well tolerated with no adverse event-related withdrawals, and adverse events were similar between groups. One subject in the glutathione group withdrew for personal reasons before efficacy testing. Over the 4-week treatment period, UPDRS ADL + motor scores improved by a mean of 2.8 units more in the glutathione group than placebo (P = 0.32). Over the subsequent 8 weeks, scores worsened by a mean of 3.5 units more in the glutathione group (P = 0.54). Neither difference was statistically significant.
Why it matters
This pilot trial provides initial safety and feasibility data for intravenous glutathione in Parkinson's disease, though it showed no statistically significant symptomatic benefit over placebo.
Limits
The study is limited by a very small sample size (n = 21 randomized, 20 analyzed for efficacy) and short treatment duration (4 weeks), leaving it underpowered to detect subtle clinical effects or assess long-term outcomes.
Cited by
- contradicts A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted at the University of South Florida movement disorder clinic demonstrated that glutathione treatment is highly effective for Parkinson's disease.