Valproic Acid and Carnitine in Patients With Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Spinal Muscular Atrophy
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Spinal Muscular Atrophy focused on measuring Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), SMA Type 2, SMA Type 3
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Cohort 1 Confirmed genetic diagnosis of 5q SMA SMA 2 or non-ambulatory SMA 3: all subjects must be able to sit independently for at least 3 seconds without support Age 2 to 8 years at time of enrollment Cohort 2 Confirmed genetic diagnosis of 5q SMA SMA subjects (SMA types 2 or 3) who can stand independently without braces or other support for up to 2 seconds, or walk independently Age 3 to 17 years at time of study enrollment Exclusion Criteria: Cohort 1 Need for BiPAP support > 12 hours per day Spinal rod or fixation for scoliosis or anticipated need within six months of enrollment Inability to meet study visit requirements or cooperate reliably with functional testing Coexisting medical conditions that contraindicate travel, testing or study medications Use of medications or supplements which interfere with valproic acid or carnitine metabolism within 3 months of study enrollment. Current use of either VPA or carnitine. If study subject is taking VPA or carnitine then patient must go through a washout period of 12 weeks before enrollment into the study Body Mass Index > 90th % for age Cohort 2 Spinal rod or fixation for scoliosis or anticipated need within six months of enrollment Inability to meet study visit requirements or cooperate with functional testing Transaminases, amylase or lipase > 3.0 x normal values, WBC < 3.0 or neutropenia < 1.0, platelets < 100 K, or hematocrit < 30 persisting over a 30 day period. Coexisting medical conditions that contraindicate travel, testing or study medications Use of medications or supplements which interfere with valproic acid or carnitine metabolism within 3 months of study enrollment. Current use of either VPA or carnitine. If study subject is taking VPA or carnitine then patient must be go through a washout period of 12 weeks before enrollment in the study. Body Mass Index > 90th % for age Pregnant women/girls, or those intending to try to become pregnant during the course of the study.
Sites / Locations
- Johns Hopkins University
- Children's Hospital of Michigan
- Ohio State University
- University of Utah/Primary Children's Medical Center
- University of Wisconsin Children's Hospital
- Hospital Sainte-Justine
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Placebo Comparator
Active Comparator
Experimental
Cohort 1a
Cohort 1b
Cohort 2
Patients in Cohort 1a - Placebo Comparator, will be on a placebo for 6 months and then will switch to the active treatment. Dosage of the VPA will start at 10-20 mg/kg/day divided into two or tree doses. The dose will be adjusted to achieve a therapeutic trough level of 50-120 micrograms/ml. VPA will be given in the form of 125 mg sprinkle capsules. Dosage for Carnitor will be 50 mg/kg/day with a maximum dose of 10000 mg/day divided into two doses. Carnitor elixir comes as 500 mg/5 ml. All subjects will be given Carnitor or equivalent placebo in the liquid form.
Cohort 1b - Active Comparator will be on treatment throughout the study. Dosage of the VPA will start at 10-20 mg/kg/day divided into two or tree doses. The dose will be adjusted to achieve a therapeutic trough level of 50-120 micrograms/ml. VPA will be given in the form of 125 mg sprinkle capsules. Dosage for Carnitor will be 50 mg/kg/day with a maximum dose of 10000 mg/day divided into two doses. Carnitor elixir comes as 500 mg/5 ml. All subjects will be given Carnitor in the liquid form.
Cohort 2 pts are on open-label treatment throughout. Dosage of the VPA will start at 10-20 mg/kg/day divided into two or tree doses. The dose will be adjusted to achieve a therapeutic trough level of 50-120 micrograms/ml. VPA will be given in the form of 125 mg sprinkle capsules. Dosage for Carnitor will be 50 mg/kg/day with a maximum dose of 10000 mg/day divided into two doses. Carnitor elixir comes as 500 mg/5 ml. All subjects will be given Carnitor or equivalent placebo in the liquid form.