Meta-Analysis of Creatine for Neuroprotection Against Parkinson's Disease

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#animals #antiparkinson-agents #creatine #humans #neuroprotective-agents

Meta-Analysis of Creatine for Neuroprotection Against Parkinson's Disease

Attia et al., 2017 | CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets | Meta Analysis

Citation

Attia, Ahmed Hussien, ... Negida Ahmed. Meta-Analysis of Creatine for Neuroprotection Against Parkinson's Disease. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2017;16(2):169-175. doi:10.2174/1871527315666161104161855

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Creatine is an antioxidant agent that showed neuroprotective effects in animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD). Creatine was selected by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke as a possible disease modifying agent for Parkinson's disease. Therefore, many clinical trials evaluated the efficacy of creatine for patients with PD. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to synthesize evidence from published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about the efficacy of Creatine for patients with PD. METHODS: We followed PRISMA statement guidelines during the preparation of this systematic review and meta-analysis. A computer literature search for PubMed, EBSCO, web of science and Ovid Midline was carried out. We included RCTs comparing creatine with placebo in terms of motor functions and quality of life. Outcomes of total Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), UPDRS I, UPDRS II, and UPDRS III were pooled as mean difference (MD) between two groups from baseline to the endpoint. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed by visual inspection of the forest plot and measured by chi-square and I square tests. RESULTS: Three RCTs (n=1935) were included in this study. The overall effect did not favor either of the two groups in terms of: UPDRS total score (MD 1.07, 95% CI [3.38 to 1.25], UPDRS III (MD 0.62, 95% CI [2.27 to 1.02]), UPDRS II (MD 0.03, 95% CI [0.81 to 0.86], or UPDRS I (MD 0.03, 95% CI [0.33 to 0.28]). CONCLUSION: Current evidence does not support the use of creatine for neuroprotection against PD. Future well-designed, randomized controlled trials are needed.

Key Findings

Three RCTs (n=1935) were included in this study. The overall effect did not favor either of the two groups in terms of: UPDRS total score (MD 1.07, 95% CI [3.38 to 1.25], UPDRS III (MD 0.62, 95% CI [2.27 to 1.02]), UPDRS II (MD 0.03, 95% CI [0.81 to 0.86], or UPDRS I (MD 0.03, 95% CI [0.33 to 0.28]).

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population pd
Sample Size 1935
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Antiparkinson Agents
  • Creatine
  • Humans
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Parkinson Disease
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: creatine-neurological

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09