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Updated: Aug 15, 2026
Clinical Testing and Spinal Cord Removal in a Mouse Model for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Published on: March 17, 2012
Minocycline in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a pilot study
F E Pontieri1, A Ricci, C Pellicano
1Dipartimento di Scienze Neurologiche, II Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Roma La Sapienza, Clinica Neurologica, Ospedale Sant Andrea, Via di Grottarossa 1035, I-00189 Rome, Italy. francesco.pontieri@ospedalesantandrea.it
Abstract:
Recent studies indicate that minocycline exerts neuroprotective effects in vitro and in vivo, and suggest that the drug may represent a novel therapeutic approach to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In this study we investigated the safety of combined treatment with minocycline and riluzole in ALS. Twenty ALS patients were randomised into two groups and administered either riluzole (50 mg b.i.d.) or riluzole and minocycline (100 mg i.d.) for 6 months. Disease progression was measured by means of the ALS-Functional Rating Scale score at monthly intervals. Respiratory function was measured at the beginning of the study and repeated after 3 and 6 months of treatment. Combined treatment with minocycline and riluzole was not followed by significant side effects. This pilot study shows that minocycline and riluzole can be taken safely together. Further trials are needed to assess efficacy of such treatment.
