BETAINE AND GLYCOCYAMINE THERAPY FOR THE CHRONIC RESIDUALS OF POLIOMYELITIS

Beneficial results from the feeding of creatine precursors have been reported in cases of cardiac disease¹ and, more recently, in those in which muscles had been affected in poliomyelitis.² The biochemical basis of glycocyamine (guanidine-acetic acid)-betaine (the anhydride of trimethyl glycocoll) therapy has been reviewed by Borsook and Borsook.³ A marked sthenic effect was observed in cases of congestive heart failure. This consisted of early improvement in the sense of well-being, lessening of fatigue, and greater strength and endurance. In patients that had suffered disabilities of poliomyelitis, Borsook, Billig, and Golseth reported, in addition to the improvements mentioned, a substantial increase in motor unit activity recorded electromyographically during the first three weeks of therapy, if the muscles had demonstrated residual function in the pretreatment assay. Following this initial period, a significant increment in power was found to occur in the next two months.

In January, 1951, we