Re Clioquinol and B12 deficiency and the SMON scare in the...

Re Clioquinol and B12 deficiency and the SMON scare in the 1970's that led to its withdrawal as an oral compound....the rationale speaks nicely to CQ's mode of action, as it happens.

B12 crosses the blood-brain barrier only in the presence of Cobalt as a facilitating co-factor.

Cobalt is a metal, CQ is a metal attractant.....suck out Cobalt from the system, you become B12 deficient.

In the Cq trial in the late 90's all patients received intramuscular B12 supplements, with no SMON-like symptoms as a result (perhaps surprising, as no Cobalt supplements were given!

The Japanese population at the time of the SMON outbreak (which was limited to japan) were felt to be particularly vulnerable nutritionally. The post-war population of Japan was relatively B12 deficient in any case, and the rice crop (Main source of B12 in japan) was of particularly poor quality over the five-year reaign of SMON.

I believe CQ is still used orally in some thrid-world countries as a treatment for amoebic dysentery.