Document Detail


Is it time to reassess alpha lipoic acid and niacinamide therapy in schizophrenia?
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20708342     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Process    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
As sulfur containing thiols, alpha lipoic acid (ALA) and its reduced form dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) are powerful antioxidants and free radical scavengers capable of performing many of the same functions as glutathione (GSH). ALA supplementation may help protect mitochondria from oxidative stress, a possible mechanism contributing to certain forms of brain diseases called schizophrenia. Shortly before the advent of antipsychotic medications, two small studies found ALA relieved psychiatric symptoms in schizophrenia. More recently, animal studies have shown ALA augmentation improves mitochondrial function. At pharmaceutical levels, niacinamide helps preserve mitochondrial membrane integrity and acts as an antioxidant. ALA is a precursor for lipoamide, an essential mitochondrial coenzyme and niacinamide is a component of niacinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NADH, the reduced form of NAD, is involved in the reduction of ALA to DHLA within the mitochondria. This is relevant to contemporary research because DHLA increases GSH and low GSH levels contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress which have been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
Authors:
Sheila E J Seybolt
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article     Date:  2010-08-12
Journal Detail:
Title:  Medical hypotheses     Volume:  75     ISSN:  1532-2777     ISO Abbreviation:  Med. Hypotheses     Publication Date:  2010 Dec 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-10-26     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7505668     Medline TA:  Med Hypotheses     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  572-5     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Affiliation:
Department of Kinesiology and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1919 Taylor, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. sejs@att.net
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