Serum and platelet lipoamide dehydrogenase in Friedreich's ataxia

Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), alpha-keto glutarate dehydrogenase (alpha-KGDH) and lipoamide dehydrogenase (LAD) were measured in platelets of 11 patients with typical Friedreich's ataxia and 10 normal control subjects. Serum LAD was also evaluated in the same patients. No statistically significant changes were found in platelets for the group as a whole, although some patients had low values (more than one standard deviation below control mean). Serum LAD was significantly reduced in the patients with Friedreich's ataxia. This was not due to associated diabetes.