Propionic Acid in Multiple Sclerosis
Propionic Acid in Multiple Sclerosis - a Placebo-controlled Randomized Double-blinded Clinical Trial
What it found
The main measure showed a statistically significant benefit.
“The adjusted mean difference in sNfL levels between the PA and placebo groups at follow-up was 0.91 pg/ml (95% CI 0.02 to 1.79; P = 0.045).”Read by software from the paper's abstract
90 days
adjusted mean difference 0.91 pg/ml (95% CI 0.02–1.79)
p = 0.045
Total participants: 101
Read by software from the paper's abstract
What was tested
Treatment tested
- Propionic acid
Placebo
- Placebo
What it measured
Main measures
Serum neurofilament light chain (NfL)
90 days
Blood or spinal fluid markersSerum glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP)
90 days
Blood or spinal fluid markers
Other measures (6)
Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Functions (FSMC)
90 days
Thinking and memoryFatigueWalking test, 10 meters distance
90 days
Walking and mobilitycerebral MRI
90 days
MRI lesionsSmouldering inflammation36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36)
90 days
Quality of life (reported by participants)Magnetoencephalography (MEG)
90 days
Thinking and memory9-hole peg test
90 days
Disability progression
Who could take part
MS (type not specified) · 18 to 60
Show the full criteria
Inclusion criteria
* Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) * Clinically and radiologically stable MS in the previous 3 months * Age between 18 and 60 years * Positive finding for oligoclonal bands (OCBs) * Written consent * Blood collection at the beginning and end of the study for routine parameter examination as well as sample preservation (especially for measuring propionic acid levels) * Negative pregnancy test for female participants of childbearing age
Exclusion criteria
* Existing propionic acid supplementation * Change in disease-modifying therapy (DMT) in the previous 4 weeks * Existing severe systemic diseases * Presence of other concomitant structural nerve diseases (e.g., polyneuropathy, brain tumor, strokes) * High JCV titer under Natalizumab
As registered. Criteria can change, so ask the trial team or your neurologist.
About this trial
In the sponsor's words
The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the superiority of propionic acid over placebo as add on treatment in multiple sclerosis (MS).
Papers
Results
Lerda-Casaccia T, Mitterwallner JM, Hitzl W, Bohm B, Cadamuro J, Huber-Schonauer U, Weichsler M, Radlberger RF, Wipfler P, Moser T. Association of lifestyle and metabolic factors with clinical performance in multiple sclerosis: A cross-sectional study. Med Clin (Barc). 2026 Apr;166(4):107358. doi: 10.1016/j.medcli.2026.107358. Epub 2026 Mar 3. English, Spanish.Background
Duscha A, Gisevius B, Hirschberg S, Yissachar N, Stangl GI, Dawin E, Bader V, Haase S, Kaisler J, David C, Schneider R, Troisi R, Zent D, Hegelmaier T, Dokalis N, Gerstein S, Del Mare-Roumani S, Amidror S, Staszewski O, Poschmann G, Stuhler K, Hirche F, Balogh A, Kempa S, Trager P, Zaiss MM, Holm JB, Massa MG, Nielsen HB, Faissner A, Lukas C, Gatermann SG, Scholz M, Przuntek H, Prinz M, Forslund S
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History
Started
May 2024
Main results due
Sept 2024
Finished
Oct 2024