Oral D-Aspartate enhances synaptic plasticity reserve in progressive multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Clinical Neurology

Background:

• Synaptic plasticity reserve is crucial for recovery in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) and is impaired in progressive MS.
• Reduced synaptic plasticity reserve is linked to disability progression in MS patients.
• D-Aspartate, an amino acid supplement, enhances synaptic plasticity in mice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of oral D-Aspartate on synaptic plasticity reserve in progressive MS patients.
• To determine if D-Aspartate can improve synaptic plasticity in a human progressive MS cohort.

Main Methods:

• 31 progressive MS patients received daily oral D-Aspartate (2660 mg) or placebo for 4 weeks.
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to measure synaptic plasticity reserve and cortical excitability.
• Measurements were taken before and after the 4-week intervention period.

Main Results:

• D-Aspartate significantly increased TMS-induced long-term potentiation (LTP) and intracortical facilitation (ICF) after 2 and 4 weeks.
• Placebo treatment did not yield significant changes in synaptic plasticity markers.
• These findings suggest enhanced synaptic plasticity and glutamatergic transmission.

Conclusions:

• Daily oral D-Aspartate (2660 mg) for 4 weeks effectively enhances synaptic plasticity reserve in progressive MS patients.
• This study supports further research into D-Aspartate's potential clinical benefits for MS disability.
• D-Aspartate shows promise as a therapeutic agent for improving neurological function in MS.