One hundred patients with clinically diagnosed Huntington's disease (HD) were randomized to either idebenone, an antioxidant and enhancer of oxidative metabolism, or placebo, in a 1-year, double-blind, parallel-group study aimed at slowing the rate of progression of the disease. Ninety-one patients completed the study. There were no significant differences between groups on the primary outcome measures of the Huntington's Disease Activities of Daily Living Scale (ADL-an index of functional status) and the Quantified Neurologic Examination (QNE). Sample size calculations based on progression of the ADL and QNE in this study group revealed that a larger study group is necessary to detect any differences less than an almost complete halting of the disease. This argues for multicenter efforts for future therapeutic trials in HD.