Dextromethorphan/quinidine for the treatment of bulbar impairment in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Objective No efficacious treatments exist to improve or prolong bulbar functions of speech and swallowing in persons with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (pALS). This study evaluated the short‐term impact of dextromethorphan/quinidine (DMQ) treatment on speech and swallowing function in pALS. Methods...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of clinical and translational neurology 2023-08, Vol.10 (8), p.1296-1304
Main Authors: Tabor Gray, Lauren, Locatelli, Eduardo, Vasilopoulos, Terrie, Wymer, James, Plowman, Emily K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - complications
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - drug therapy
Barium
Bulbar
Clinical trials
Data collection
Deglutition
Dextromethorphan - pharmacology
Dextromethorphan - therapeutic use
Dysarthria
Dysphagia
Enrollments
FDA approval
Humans
Neurodegerative
Neurosciences
Ostomy
Quinidine - pharmacology
Quinidine - therapeutic use
Rehabilitation
Speech
Swallowing
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Summary:Objective No efficacious treatments exist to improve or prolong bulbar functions of speech and swallowing in persons with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (pALS). This study evaluated the short‐term impact of dextromethorphan/quinidine (DMQ) treatment on speech and swallowing function in pALS. Methods This was a cohort trial conducted between August 2019 to August 2021 in pALS with a confirmed diagnosis of probable‐definite ALS (El‐Escorial Criteria‐revisited) and bulbar impairment (ALS Functional Rating Scale score ≤ 10 and speaking rate ≤ 140 words per minute) who were DMQ naïve. Efficacy of DMQ was assessed via pre‐post change in the ALS Functional Rating Scale‐Revised bulbar subscale and validated speech and swallowing outcomes. Paired t‐tests, Fisher's exact, and χ2 tests were conducted with alpha at 0.05. Results Twenty‐eight pALS enrolled, and 24 participants completed the 28‐day trial of DMQ. A significant increase in ALSFRS‐R bulbar subscale score pre‐ (7.47 ± 1.98) to post‐ (8.39 ± 1.79) treatment was observed (mean difference: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.46–1.36, p  0.05). Interpretation Results of this study provide preliminary evidence that DMQ pharmacologic intervention may have the potential to improve or maintain bulbar function in pALS.
ISSN:2328-9503
2328-9503
DOI:10.1002/acn3.51821