1.10.09 - Intrathecal glycine no effective treatment
Glycine plays an important inhibiting role in the nervous system. Previous research suggested that CRPS patients have a glycine deficiency. The administration of glycine with a special pump might be an effective treatment for the disease.
Munts and others (LUMC Leiden) studied the effectiveness of intrathecal glycine (ITG), as well as the safety of the treatment. They found no significant effects on any of the outcome measures (pain scores and dystonia). Based on this study ITG does not seem to be an effective treatment for CRPS. The results are available on-line on the website of Pain:
A.G. Munts, A.A. van der Plas, J.H. Voormolen, J. Marinus, I.M. Teepe-Twiss, W. Onkenhout, J.M. van Gerven en J.J. van Hilten. Intrathecal glycine for pain and dystonia in complex regional pain syndrome. Pain.