It would be hopeful if Q10 was shown to change a PD patient's rating on the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. So far this has not happened.

Reliable human trials would take a few years because of our long lifespan. Starting with diseased mice models is a much cheaper and faster way of testing supplements such as Q10.

The following trials were short and/or used low doses. Even so, there is little to hope in longer human trials. --Jerry 02/15/99

Mol Aspects Med 1997;18 Suppl:S237-40

Q10 therapy in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease.

Strijks E, Kremer HP, Horstink MW

Department of Neurology, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

A 3-month open-label trial was performed to evaluate the efficacy of 200 mg Q10 daily in 10 patients with Parkinson's disease. Motor performance was assessed with UPDRS and motor tests. There was no significant effect on the clinical ratings.

Neurology 1998 Mar;50(3):793-5

Absorption, tolerability, and effects on mitochondrial activity of oral coenzyme Q10 in parkinsonian patients.

Shults CW, Beal MF, Fontaine D, Nakano K, Haas RH

Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, USA.

We report a pilot study of three oral doses of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) (200 mg administered two, three, or four times per day for 1 month) in 15 subjects with Parkinson's disease. Oral CoQ10 caused a substantial increase in the plasma CoQ10 level. It was well tolerated, but at the highest dose (200 mg four times per day) mild, transient changes in the urine were noted. CoQ10 did not change the mean score on the motor portion of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. There was a trend toward an increase in complex I activity in the subjects.
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