Beneficial results from the feeding of creatine precursors have been reported in cases of cardiac disease1 and, more recently, in those in which muscles had been affected in poliomyelitis.2 The biochemical basis of glycocyamine (guanidine-acetic acid)-betaine (the anhydride of trimethyl glycocoll) therapy has been reviewed by Borsook and Borsook.3 A marked sthenic effect was observed in cases of congestive heart failure. This consisted of early improvement in the sense of well-being, lessening of fatigue, and greater strength and endurance. In patients that had suffered disabilities of poliomyelitis, Borsook, Billig, and Golseth reported, in addition to the improvements mentioned, a substantial increase in motor unit activity recorded electromyographically during the first three weeks of therapy, if the muscles had demonstrated residual function in the pretreatment assay. Following this initial period, a significant increment in power was found to occur in the next two months.
In January, 1951, we