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Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs Volume 17, 2008 - Issue 6
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Acetyl-L-carnitine and α-lipoic acid: possible neurotherapeutic agents for mood disorders?

Joanna K Soczynska University of Toronto, Institute of Medical Science, Toronto, ON, Canada; University Health Network, Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, Toronto, ON, Canada
,
Sidney H Kennedy University of Toronto, Institute of Medical Science, Toronto, ON, Canada; University Health Network, Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, Toronto, ON, Canada; University of Toronto, Department of Psychiatry, Toronto, ON, Canada
,
Cindy SM Chow University Health Network, Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, Toronto, ON, Canada
,
Hanna O Woldeyohannes University Health Network, Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, Toronto, ON, Canada
,
Jakub Z Konarski University of Toronto, Institute of Medical Science, Toronto, ON, Canada; University Health Network, Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, Toronto, ON, Canada
&
Roger S McIntyre University of Toronto, Institute of Medical Science, Toronto, ON, Canada; University Health Network, Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, Toronto, ON, Canada; University of Toronto, Department of Psychiatry, Toronto, ON, Canada; University of Toronto, Department of Pharmacology, Toronto, ON, Canada; Associate Professor University Health Network, Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, Departments of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, 399 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON, Canada M5T 2S8 +1 416 603 5279; +1 416 603 5368; [email protected]
Pages 827-843 | Published online: 21 May 2008
 
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Abstract

Background: Mood disorders are associated with decrements in cognitive function, which are insufficiently treated with contemporary pharmacotherapies. Objectives: To evaluate the putative neurotherapeutic effects of the mitochondrial cofactors, L-carnitine, acetyl-L-carnitine, and α-lipoic acid; and to provide a rationale for investigating their efficacy in the treatment of neurocognitive deficits associated with mood disorders. Methods: A PubMed search of English-language articles published between January 1966 and March 2007 was conducted using the search terms carnitine and lipoic acid. Results: L-carnitine and α-lipoic acid may offer neurotherapeutic effects (e.g., neurocognitive enhancement) via disparate mechanisms including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic regulation. Preliminary controlled trials in depressed geriatric populations also suggest an antidepressant effect with acetyl-L-carnitine. Conclusions: L-carnitine and α-lipoic acid are pleiotropic agents capable of offering neuroprotective and possibly cognitive-enhancing effects for neuropsychiatric disorders in which cognitive deficits are an integral feature.

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