A pilot study of L-methionine for the treatment of AIDS-associated myelopathy

Neurology. 1998 Jul;51(1):266-8. doi: 10.1212/wnl.51.1.266.

Abstract

The pathogenesis of AIDS-associated vacuolar myelopathy (VM) may be related to abnormality of transmethylation mechanisms in the nervous system. To evaluate the safety and potential efficacy of the methyl-group donor L-methionine in AIDS-associated VM, we conducted a pilot clinical trial in 12 patients with VM. Seven of the nine patients who completed the study had clinical and electrophysiologic improvement. Controlled studies may be indicated to assess the efficacy and safety of L-methionine in AIDS-associated VM.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / complications*
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / metabolism
  • Adult
  • Erectile Dysfunction / virology
  • Evoked Potentials
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Metabolic Diseases / drug therapy
  • Metabolic Diseases / enzymology
  • Metabolic Diseases / virology*
  • Methionine / administration & dosage*
  • Methionine / metabolism
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle Spasticity / diagnosis
  • Muscle Spasticity / drug therapy
  • Muscle Spasticity / virology
  • Pilot Projects
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / etiology*
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / pathology
  • Urination
  • Vacuoles / pathology

Substances

  • Methionine