Creatine and brain function in CFS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding the impact of creatine on brain biochemistry and cognitive function in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome using magnetic resonance spectroscopy
IRAS ID
255842
Contact name
Beata R Godlewska
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford / Clinical Trials and Research Governance
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The study aims at increasing our understanding of the biological background of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a serious and a highly disruptive condition, in which the core symptom is persistent, medically unexplained fatigue, not resulting from ongoing exertion, aggravated by levels of exercise which do not affect healthy people, and is not substantially alleviated by rest. The symptoms can be extremely disabling and are a huge burden not only on the individual sufferers but also their carers and families, as well as wider society. Despite its burden, research into CFS is scarce, and pathogenetic mechanisms of CFS symptoms are poorly understood, which has an impact on treatment availability and management of this disabling condition.
In this study we want to explore mechanisms underlying CFS symptoms and their link with levels in creatine. In our pilot study, low levels of creatine were observed in the brain areas relevant to the symptoms of CFS, such as cognition and low energy. We wish to assess levels of creatine with the use of a 3T scanner, and their relationship with cognitive function, activity and sleep quality, physical strength and inflammatory markers. We would like to assess how these measures will change under the influence of a 6 weeks of oral creatine supplementation.
Participants will be asked to take 16g of creatine supplementation every day for approximately 6 weeks. The dosage was decided upon balancing a number of important clinical, scientific and practical factors: dosage recommendations, the range of dosages tested and considered safe and helpful in previous studies in healthy volunteers and patients with CNS pathologies, the fact that a higher dose within the range will assure a better blood-brain barrier crossing, and CFS patients’ opinion on the feasibility of taking such a dose. These consultations were an important part of the decision process as the highest dose of creatine monohydrate in one tablet is 1g; which means taking 8 tablets in the morning and 8 tablets in the evening; consulted patients were confident that taking this number of tablets was acceptable.REC name
South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/SC/0085
Date of REC Opinion
5 Mar 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion