A pilot study of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in myotonic dystrophy

Abstract

We studied the effect of i.v. administration of a dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) preparation (200 mg/day for 8 weeks) in 11 patients with myotonic dystrophy (MyD). After DHEAS, activities of daily living improved, muscle strength increased, and myotonia decreased. Conduction block and premature beats also improved in the four patients with cardiac involvement. This pilot study may provide a rationale for a controlled study of DHEAS in MyD.