Japanese researchers link vitamin B12 to ALS treatment

May 21, 2003

TOKUSHIMA, Japan, May 12, 2003 (Kyodo via COMTEX) -- A group of University of

Tokushima researchers has discovered that methylcobalamin, a type of vitamin

B12, could slow down the attack of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a

progressive neuro-degenerative illness also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Researchers say methylcobalamin treatment could prolong the life of severe ALS

patients.

The research group, led by Ryuji Kaji, professor of neurology at the University

of Tokushima, plans to present the results at a meeting of the Japanese Society

of Neurology in Yokohama on Thursday.

According to Yuishin Izumi, a researcher involved in the project, a group the 18

ALS patients was injected with a large amount of methylcobalamin and 11 of them

remained alive, without the help of respiratory aid, one year to three years and

seven months after the treatment.

By contrast, another group of 16 ALS patients who received no methylcobalamin

treatment all died between half a year and two years and eight months later.

The results of the experiment were verified in October last year.

ALS attacks nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord, causing patients to

eventually lose control of muscle movement and become paralyzed.

Kaji stressed that the results of the tests are only preliminary and more

rigorous clinical tests are needed before a medical treatment can be developed.

" We would like to verify the results through large-scale clinical tests to be

conducted with other medical institutions. We are also looking for

pharmaceutical companies interested in our research, " Kaji said.

Shigeki Kuzuhara, a professor of neurology at the University of Mie, said the

work of the Kaji group could be " good news " for severe ALS patients with fast

progressing ALS symptoms.

Kuzuhara said methylcobalamin treatment would have few side effects and he is

awaiting further clinical tests to prove its effectiveness.

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