ABSTRACT
Creatine is one of the most widely used dietary supplements on the market, with a $400 million industry promoting its use. Creatine, in the form of creatine monohydrate, is popular among athletes, who use it to increase muscle mass and strength in resistance training and to improve performance in high-intensity physical activity like cycling or rowing (Bemben and Lamont 2005; Volek and Rawson 2004). While creatine is more often associated with enhancing physical performance, it is also essential for the proper functioning of the brain. There is growing evidence that creatine may be of value in the treatment of neurological conditions that are linked to dysfunctional energy metabolism such as age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease) (Andres et al. 2008; Gualano et al. 2010). Moreover, creatine
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 215 Creatine Intake, Synthesis, and Metabolism .......................................................... 216 Creatine and Brain-Related Disorders ................................................................... 218
Creatine DeŠciency ........................................................................................... 218 Huntington’s Disease ........................................................................................ 219 Alzheimer’s Disease ..........................................................................................220 Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ..........................................................................220 Parkinson’s Disease ........................................................................................... 221 Schizophrenia .................................................................................................... 222 Psychological Stress .......................................................................................... 223 Depression .........................................................................................................224 Traumatic Brain Injury ......................................................................................226
Creatine and Cognitive Behavior ...........................................................................226 Summary and Future Directions ............................................................................ 227 References ..............................................................................................................228
supplementation is beginning to garner attention as a complementary strategy in the treatment of psychiatric disorders such as depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (Allen et al. 2010; Amital et al. 2006; Roitman et al. 2007).
