Threonine
Feb 17, 2025
Threonine
Threonine is an amino acid. Amino acids are the building blocks the body uses to make proteins. Threonine is used to treat various nervous system disorders including spinal spasticity, multiple sclerosis, familial spastic paraparesis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS. Lou Gehrig's disease).
Mechanism of Action:
Threonine is changed in the body to a chemical called glycine. Glycine works in the brain to reduce constant and unwanted spasticity.
Dosage:
For a certain movement disorders due to spinal cord damage (spinal spasticity): 6 g of threonine per day.
Evidence:
Early research suggests that taking 1.5-2 g of threonine by mouth three times daily might improve some symptoms in people with familial spastic paraparesis. Taking 2-4 g of threonine daily for up to 12 months does not seem to slow the progression of ALS or reduce symptoms. There is also some evidence that threonine might actually worsen lung function in people with ALS.
Precautions:
There is some concern that threonine might decrease lung function in patients with ALS. In one study, ALS patients taking 1 g of threonine four times per day for 6 months had significantly reduced lung function compared to patients who did not receive threonine.
Interactions:
There is some concern that threonine might decrease how well a Namenda, a medication used for Alzheimer's disease works.
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