Four years of alpha lipoic acid in diabetic neuropathy (NATHAN 1)
The question: Does alpha lipoic acid change neuropathy over years?
- Study type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Participants
- 460
- Population
- Adults with diabetes and mild to moderate polyneuropathy
- Intervention
- Alpha lipoic acid 600 mg once daily
- Compared with
- Placebo
- Duration
- 4 years
- Published
- Diabetes Care, 2011
What was measured
Composite of clinical examination and nerve conduction tests.
What was found
The primary composite outcome did not differ between groups. Some clinical measures of neuropathic impairment improved with treatment and it was well tolerated.
Limitations
The placebo group did not worsen as expected, which made a protective effect hard to show.
What it means
Long-term use appears safe, with signals of benefit on clinical signs, but it did not meet its main goal. Evidence for slowing progression is not settled.
Source
Ziegler D, Low PA, Litchy WJ, et al. Efficacy and safety of antioxidant treatment with α-lipoic acid over 4 years in diabetic polyneuropathy: the NATHAN 1 trial. Diabetes Care. 2011;34(9):2054-2060.
Read the original (DOI 10.2337/dc11-0503) · Source verified 8 October 2026
Study summaries describe published research for education. They are not claims about any product and are not medical advice.