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Abstract
Evaluation of: Miller RG, Forshew D, Katz J et al. Phase II controlled trial of lithium carbonate in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neurology 77(10), 973–979 (2011).
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder; riluzole is marginally effective, and as a consequence a large number of trials are regularly reported. Lithium raised marked enthusiasm based on the report of a pilot study that suggested very positive results. Two previous trials were negative, applying a different methodology. The reviewed article reports the results of a third trial using a historical control group. In this trial, lithium was detrimental to ALS progression. Two more trials testing lithium in ALS are in progress. This study is discussed in the context of the great competitive effort that was derived from the unsupported hope created by a false-positive preliminary study.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.