Does a blue dye help sick mice walk better?
Methylene blue administration fails to confer neuroprotection in two amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mouse models
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Methylene blue had no effect on any of the 10+ measured outcomes—including protein aggregation, inflammation, and motor neuron loss—despite strong theoretical grounds for benefit.
Prior studies in other neurological conditions (like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s) suggested methylene blue could clear toxic proteins and boost energy in brain cells—so its complete failure across all metrics in two ALS models is unexpected.
Practical Takeaways
Avoid spending money on methylene blue supplements as an ALS treatment based on current evidence.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Methylene blue had no effect on any of the 10+ measured outcomes—including protein aggregation, inflammation, and motor neuron loss—despite strong theoretical grounds for benefit.
Prior studies in other neurological conditions (like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s) suggested methylene blue could clear toxic proteins and boost energy in brain cells—so its complete failure across all metrics in two ALS models is unexpected.
Practical Takeaways
Avoid spending money on methylene blue supplements as an ALS treatment based on current evidence.
Publication
Journal
Neuroscience
Year
2012
Authors
J.-N. Audet, G. Soucy, J.-P. Julien
Related Content
Claims (4)
Methylene blue acts as an alternative electron carrier in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, enhancing cellular ATP production and modulating monoaminergic neurotransmission to reduce fasting-induced metabolic stress and appetite.
Giving methylene blue to mice with a form of ALS didn't help them live longer, move better, or stop their nerve cells from dying, even though it was thought to help the brain.
In another type of ALS mouse, methylene blue didn’t help them move better or change any of the abnormal brain proteins or inflammation markers that are linked to the disease.
Even when methylene blue was given with another drug called lithium, it still didn’t help the ALS mice live longer or move better.