Pilot trial of albuterol in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy.

Author(s): Fowler EG, Graves MC, Wetzel GT, Spencer MJ

Affiliation(s): UCLA Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Research Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Publication date & source: 2004-03-23, Neurology., 62(6):1006-8.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

The authors conducted a randomized, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of albuterol in nine boys with dystrophinopathies. Primary outcomes were 1) isometric knee extensor and flexor strength; and 2) manual muscle testing (MMT). Isometric knee extensor strength and MMT scores were significantly higher in patients taking albuterol vs placebo. Therefore, 12-week treatment with extended-release albuterol may increase strength in patients with dystrophinopathies. A larger, double-blind, randomized study is necessary to confirm these results.