EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL 4 PM ET, April 18, 2002

Still No Effective Treatment for Post-Lyme Disease Symptoms

Denver, Colo. -

While Lyme disease is usually cured with antibiotic treatment, some patients experience persistent fatigue and cognitive dysfunction. In a study presented at the 54th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, researchers share their experience in a study evaluating ceftriaxone, a broad spectrum antibiotic they hoped would be effective in treating post-Lyme disease symptoms. In a double-blind, single-center, randomized clinical trial, 55 Lyme disease patients with persistent severe fatigue were randomly assigned to receive the ceftriaxone or a placebo. "Although patients assigned to ceftriaxone showed significant improvement in fatigue compared to the placebo group, seven percent were hospitalized with adverse treatment effects," according to study author Lauren Krupp, MD, of State University of New York - Stony Brook. "We had hoped to find a treatment option for these patients that would improve their symptoms and reduce the level of infection," said Krupp. "But given these adverse effects, and because neither cognitive functioning nor laboratory measure of infection were improved, our study does not support the use of repeated courses of ceftriaxone." Krupp added, "The observation that fatigue did improve is very encouraging and hopefully other treatment approaches that are better tolerated or safer for patients can be identified to ameliorate post-Lyme disease symptoms." The study was sponsored by a NIH grant from its National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. Roche Pharmaceuticals provided the study drug and placebo at no charge.

The American Academy of Neurology is the leading voice in brain health. As the world’s largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals with more than 44,000 members, the AAN provides access to the latest news, science and research affecting neurology for patients, caregivers, physicians and professionals alike. The AAN’s mission is to enhance member career fulfillment and promote brain health for all. A neurologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, care and treatment of brain, spinal cord and nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, concussion, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, headache and migraine.

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Editor's Notes: Dr. Krupp will present the research during a platform presentation on Thursday, April 18, 2002, at 2:00 p.m. in Room C 108/10/12 of the Colorado Convention Center. She will be available for media questions at a briefing on Thursday, April 18 at 12:00 p.m. in the AAN Press Room (Lobby C, Room C208) of the Convention Center.