Author/Editor     Horvat-Ledinek, Alenka; Čižek-Sajko, Mojca; Rot, Uroš
Title     Evaluating the effects of amantadin, modafinil and acetyl-l-carnitine on fatigue in multiple sclerosis result of a pilot randomized, blind study
Type     članek
Source     In: Proceedings of the 6th Dubrovnik International Conference on Multiple Sclerosis, Dubrovnik, Croatia, 10-12 May 2012 Assen : Elsevier
Publication year     2013
Volume     str. S86-S89
Language     eng
Abstract     Objective: Fatigue affects more than 60% of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and is one of the most troublesome symptoms of the disease. Current treatment options for MS fatigue include amantadine, modafinil and acetyl-l-carnitine (ALCAR). The aim of our study was to compare efficacy of amantadine, modafinil and ALCAR with placebo in patients with MS.Methods: Patients with MS and a disability level 5.5 on the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and fatigue were included in the study. Patients were assigned to a one month treatment with either amantadine 200mg, ALCAR 2g, modafinil 200mg or placebo. Efficacy of the treatment was evaluated by using the modified fatigue impact scale (MFIS). Results: Sixty patients were included in the study (39 females). The mean age of patients was 386.7 years and the mean disease duration was 6.61.2 years. Contrast analysis showed significantly lower mean MFIS score after one month in patients on amantadine compared to placebo (mean difference=17.3, p=0.001). There was also a trend of a lower MFIS score in ALCAR group in comparison to placebo (mean difference=12.4, p=0.05, with Keppel-corrected alpha of 0.046). The quality of life measured as SF 36 - PCS and SF 36 - MCS proved to be significantly influenced by treatment. Conclusion: One month treatment with amantadine improved fatigue in patients with relapsing-remitting MS as evaluated by MFIS. No or only a trend of improvement was seen in patients treated with modafinil or ALCAR, respectively.
Keywords     multiple sclerosis
Rorschach inkblot method
mood disorders
psychological stress