Safety and Efficacy Study of A0001 in Subjects With Friedreich's Ataxia
Friedreich's AtaxiaThis is a Phase 2a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with two dose levels of A0001 given twice daily for 28 days. Potential subjects will be screened first to determine eligibility, after which they will be randomized to receive either a high dose of A0001, a low dose of A0001 or placebo for 28 days. Eligible subjects will return within 21 days of screening for the baseline visit and randomization to one of three potential treatments. The subjects will be required to take 3 capsules of study medication in the morning with a morning meal and 3 capsules of study medication at night with an evening meal for 28 days. Additional visits to the clinic are planned for Day 14 and Day 28, at which time a number of clinical and biochemical assessments will be done.
Safety Study of Carbamylated Erythropoietin to Treat Patients With the Neurodegenerative Disorder...
Friedreich's AtaxiaThe primary purpose of the study is to determine whether carbamylated erythropoietin is a safe treatment for patients who suffer from Friedreich's Ataxia.
A Study Investigating the Safety and Tolerability of Deferiprone in Patients With Friedreich's Ataxia...
Friedreich's AtaxiaThe primary objective of this study is to demonstrate the safety and tolerability of deferiprone in subjects with Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA). The secondary objective is to evaluate the efficacy of deferiprone for the treatment of FRDA, as assessed by a 9-Hole Peg Test (9HPT), Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25FW), Low-Contrast Letter Acuity test (LCLA), International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS), and Friedreich's Ataxia Rating Scale (FARS). The tertiary objectives are to evaluate the effect of deferiprone on: cardiac function as measured by changes in Left Ventricular Shortening Fraction (LVSF), Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) and Left Ventricular (LV) mass using echocardiogram (ECHO), quality of life using quality-of-life surveys, and functional status using Activities of Daily Living (ADL).
Phase 1 Trial of Idebenone to Treat Patients With Friedreich's Ataxia
Friedreich AtaxiaThis study will determine the highest amount of idebenone that can be taken without harmful side effects in children, teenagers, and adults with Friedreich's ataxia, a progressive degenerative disease that affects several body systems. Studies in France and Canada showed that patients with Friedreich's ataxia who took idebenone had a decrease in the size of their left ventricle (main pumping chamber of the heart), which is often enlarged in this disease. It is possible that idebenone may also prevent the progression of nervous system degeneration in Friedreich's ataxia. Patients 5 years of age and older with Friedreich's ataxia may be eligible for this study. Candidates are screened with a blood test and review of their medical records, including genetic studies. Participants undergo the following procedures during a 6-day hospital admission to the NIH Clinical Center: Placement of an intravenous catheter (plastic tube inserted into a vein) for collecting blood samples after drug administration Blood and urine tests Heart examination, including electrocardiogram (EKG), to assess heart function and size. Idebenone therapy: Patients take three tablets a day (at 7 AM, 1 PM and 7 PM) on days 2, 3 and 4 of hospitalization. Blood samples are collected through the IV tube at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours after the first dose on day 2, then at 1 hour after the first and third doses every day, and then at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours after the last dose on day 4 to determine how the body uses and eliminates the drug. Monitoring for drug side effects: Patients have frequent checks of vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, breathing rate) and a brief physical examination to check for drug side effects from the start of drug therapy on day 2 until at least 43 hours after the last dose on day 4. Patients who experience no difficulties are discharged from the hospital after the sixth day with a 1-month supply of medication to take 3 times a day at home. They are contacted by phone every 2 weeks while taking the medication to check side effects. Blood tests are also done every 2 weeks to check for any abnormalities.
Chinese Medicine WT for Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3
AtaxiaSpinocerebellar3 moreSpinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is one of autosomal dominant hereditary ataxias. Standing imbalance, unsteady gait, dysmetria, fatigue, and depression would occur gradually. There are no effective treatment or palliative methods for patients in the present days. However, low-dose growth hormone, or its downstream product, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1), may deter the progress of SCA3 in transgenic mice. The main bioactive constituent among the Chinese medicine WT possesses neuroprotective function against glutamate-induced toxicity, which is one major pathology of SCA3. It promotes neurogenesis, and increases the protein expression of IGF-1 in ischemic brains of rats. Thus, we designed a randomized, double-blind trial for patients with SCA3, if WT is a possible neuroprotective medicine. All the subjects will be recruited from Changhua Christian Hospital. Diagnosis is confirmed by gene test and magnetic resonance image by a neurologist. They will be assigned in random and double blind, prescribed with 3 grams concentrated powder of WT or placebo, twice a day, for 12 weeks. After the washout period of 4 weeks, there will be a crossover of placebo or WT for another 12 weeks. After that, another 4-week rest will be followed by the end of trial. Check items in five check points include: 1. Blood examination (serum IGF-1, Neurofilament light chain, mitochondria copy number, 8_OHdG, delta-Ct), 2.Neurological exam (Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia), 3. Questionnaires (Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, Epworth Sleepiness Scale), 4. Handgrip strength test (which is correlated to IGF-1 value in elderly), and 5. serum metabolites, . All the data will be disclosed after the end of trial. Paired-T test or Wilcoxon Ranked Sign Test will be operated in SPSS.
Safety and Efficacy of Etravirine in Friedreich Ataxia Patients
Friedreich AtaxiaA drug repositioning effort provided evidence supporting the possible use of Etravirine, a drug approved for the treatment of HIV infections in patients starting from 2 years of age, as a treatment for FA. We found that Etravirine is able to increase Frataxin protein both in vitro - in cells derived from FA patients - and in vivo - in the heart and skeletal muscle of Frataxin-deficient YG8 mice. Because of these findings, and since Etravirine displays a generally favorable safety profile, we plan to launch an open-label, phase 2 clinical trial aimed at assessing the safety and efficacy of Etravirine in FA patients. We aim at recruiting 30 FA patients. 15 will be treated with Etravirine for 4 months at 200 mcg/day and 15 will be treated with Etravirine for 4 months at 400 mg/day. Efficacy primary endpoint will be represented changes in peak VO2 as measured by incremental cycle ergometer exercise test. Secondary endpoints will include maximal workload, SARA score, cardiac measures, Frataxin protein levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and molecular analysis of Frataxin mRNA translation efficiency. Complete sets of data will be collected 4 months before the start of the treatment (T -4), at the start (T0), after 2 months (T2), at the end of the treatment (T4) and 4 months after the termination of the treatment (T8).
Aerobic Exercise, Balance Training, and Ataxia
AtaxiaSpino Cerebellar Degeneration1 moreThe first aim is to show aerobic training improves degenerative cerebellar patients functionally The second aim is to compare the effects of balance and aerobic training on degenerative cerebellar disease.
Safety and Pharmacology Study of VP 20629 in Adults With Friedreich's Ataxia
Friedreich's AtaxiaThe objectives of the study are: To evaluate the safety and tolerability of single and multiple oral doses of VP 20629 in subjects with Friedreich's ataxia (FA). [Primary] To characterize the pharmacokinetics of VP 20629 by investigation of the plasma concentration-time profile following single and multiple oral doses in subjects with FA. [Secondary] To investigate the pharmacodynamic effects of VP 20629 on plasma 8-isoprostane and malondialdehyde and urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine concentrations following multiple oral doses in subjects with FA. [Exploratory]
Exercise Training Program for Cerebellar Ataxia
Cerebellar AtaxiaThe purpose of this study is to determine whether a person's ability to adapt (i.e. short term motor learning) predicts their ability to benefit from physical therapy exercises.
Patient Reported Outcomes in Friedreich's Ataxia Patients After Withdrawal From Treatment With Idebenone...
Friedreich's AtaxiaThis is a Phase IIIb Double-Blind, Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Study. The aim is to further investigate the effects of idebenone in patients with Friedreich's ataxia. The objective of the PROTI study is to establish whether patients can correctly determine which treatment assignment (placebo or idebenone) they received during the randomised phase of the trial, and identify any potential changes on symptoms or activities.