A CONTROLLED TRIAL OF IDEBENONE IN HUNTINGTONS-DISEASE

One hundred patients with clinically diagnosed Huntington's disease (H D) were randomized to either idebenone, an antioxidant and enhancer of oxidative metabolism, or placebo, in a 1-year, double-blind, parallel -group study aimed at slowing the rate of progression of the disease, Ninety-one patients completed the study. There were no significant dif ferences between groups on the primary outcome measures of the Hunting ton's Disease Activities of Daily Living Scale (ADL-an index of functi onal status) and the Quantified Neurologic Examination (QNE), Sample s ize calculations based on progression of the ADL and QNE in this study group revealed that a larger study group is necessary to detect any d ifferences less than an almost complete halting of the disease. This a rgues for multicenter efforts for future therapeutic trials in HD.