CoQ10 May EaseSymptoms of Ataxia

CoQ10 May EaseSymptoms of Ataxia

NEW YORK--There may be new hope for those who suffer from hereditary ataxia,a condition marked by a lack of control over muscle (including a predispositionto seizures) and motor function. In research presented in Neurology(56:849-55, 2001) (www.neurology.org),researchers found that sufferers of ataxia had decreased levels of coenzyme Q10(CoQ10).

After being given doses between 300 to 3,000 mg/d of CoQ10, all patientsexperienced increased strength, fewer seizures and overall improvement inataxia. The study's authors, led by Salvatore DiMauro from Columbia University,concluded that, based on these findings, doctors should screen patients withhereditary ataxia for CoQ10 deficiencies.