Active clinical trials for "Cerebellar Ataxia"

Friedreich Ataxia (FA) is a hereditary neurological disease that is associated with a cerebellar syndrome and pyramidal symptoms. Clinical expression varies from one individual to another and throughout the evolution of the disease and is partially related to an abnormal expansion of the GAA triplet repeat in the frataxin gene. Dysarthria, a disorder in the motor production of speech, is always present in the clinical presentation of the disease (Schöls et al. 1997 ; Harding 1981 ; Dürr et al. 1996 ; Delatycki et al. 1999). It has been the subject of specific studies exploring the link between the evolution of dysarthria and disease progression (J. Folker et al. 2010; J. E. Folker et al. 2012; Rosen et al. 2012; Brendel et al. 2013). These studies allowed for the identification of markers for speech disintegration, specific to FA dysarthria, using perceptive voice measures, but also acoustics and objectives for qualifying voice and speech at the same time. The challenge is in finding measures sufficiently appropriate and sensitive to detect the evolution of these indicators throughout the course of the disease (Rosen et al. 2012). The neurological scales that take in to account all signs of a cerebellar syndrome are not sufficiently sensitive (Marelli et al. 2012). In addition, hearing difficulties develop during the course of the disease in addition to visual disturbances (gaze instability) which hinder communication. The ORFA study aims to evaluate oral communication in FA patients and identify appropriate measures that allow for the comparison of dysarthria pre and post-treatment in a clinical trial and can be used for the evaluation of efficacy.

This exploratory study used a pre-post test design. The supervised rehabilitation program was performed three times a week for 8 weeks (two sessions at a rehabilitation gym and one pool session). Outcome measures included Ottawa sitting scale, 30-Second Chair Stand test, Berg Balance Scale, 10-Meter Walk Test, 6-minute Walk Test, modified Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale and SARA scale. 10 participants will complete the training program. They will be evaluated at baseline, at week 4 (miway) and after the program.

Death in Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is usually due to cancer or chronic lung failure around 20 years of age. Despite low lymphocyte counts (CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD19), IgA and IgG subclass deficiency opportunistic and acute severe respiratory infections are rare. The prevailing wisdom is that an immunoglobulin replacement therapy is not necessary in most of the patients. However no placebo controlled trials have been performed so far. The aim of this trial was to investigate the prevalence of mild and severe respiratory infections and / or chronic cough in classical A-T patients compared to healthy controls.

Measuring the various difficulties patients with spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA) report in an accurate manner is important to be able to test any therapy that may be developed. As basic research identifies some therapy of this type, clinicians are planning studies that can either prove or disprove that such treatments actually have an effect. Walking problems and problems with eye movements that can give rise to visual complaints are common in the SCA's. Existing neurological scales such as the "SARA" are based on the usual neurological examination items that can carry a degree of subjective bias. Also the intervals between numbers on such scores often do not carry the same "weight" so that the difference between a score of 1 and 2 may not be equal to difference between 2 and 3. Lastly, such scales done in the clinic setting capture only a brief period of a patient's day. We propose that examination of home based gait monitoring, timed tests of motor function and quantitative measures of visual problems in patients with SCA are more useful in measuring the disability in these patients.

The aim of this study iss to analyze the effect of Lycra garments in the axial stabilization in subjects affected by ataxia, both in acquired cerebellar injuries and malformative etiology. Improvement are expected for what concerns: greater stability during stance smoother walking pattern reduction of risk of fall. The two groups (acquired and malformative) will be compared.

The aim of this study is to describe the interaction of the cognitive and visual-cognitive task with postural stability in patients suffering by cerebellar ataxia. Investigators will measure changes in postural stability parameters and in secondary task performance, which should show the ability of the patients to manage the dualtask situations.

The objectives of this study are: To validate the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of a new scale for the assessment of ataxia and neurologic dysfunction (STAND) To assess common constructs and correlation between STAND subscale items.

Congenital ataxias (CA) are rare, non progressive diseases, characterized by psychomotor retardation, hypotonia followed by ataxia. The presence of the "molar tooth" on MRI allowed to define Joubert syndrome, a peculiar form of CA. Apart from this group, CA are mostly associated with cerebellar atrophy or hypoplasia without molar tooth on MRI. CA are a clinically as well as genetically heterogeneous group of diseases. Early-onset ataxias are progressive but may be difficult to distinguish from CA in the first years of the disease. To date, few genes responsible for CA have been identified: ABC7 (X-linked CA associated with sideroblastic anemia), SLC9A6 (X-linked CA associated with severe mental retardation, autism and epilepsy), GPR56 (CA associated with polymicrogyria), ATCAY (pure CA in Cayman isolate); the involvement of the ATCAY and ABC7 genes has never been assessed in a large cohort of CA patients. Primary objective: To assess the frequency of mutations of the ATCAY and ABC7 genes in patients affected with non Joubert congenital or early-onset ataxia. Secondary objective: To identify new loci and/or genes responsible for CA To further describe the clinical phenotype of the CA and to assess the frequency of the various clinical types (pure CA/CA associated with spasticity/ syndromic CA, congenital/early-onset CA, sporadic/familial CA). To describe the clinical phenotype of CA related to mutations in one of analysed genes.

The purposes of this study are to learn about significant life changes for people with Friedreich's ataxia and about patients' experiences with health care providers. Friedreich's ataxia is a rare genetic disorder in which patients experience progressive muscle weakness and loss of coordination in the arms and legs. They may have other complications, such as vision and hearing impairment, dysarthria, scoliosis, diabetes, and heart disease. The study will explore the impact of this chronic progressive illness on transitional life events, such as career choice and marriage, and the role of family members and health care providers-particularly genetic counselors-in helping patients progress through these events. Patients with Friedreich's ataxia who are 18 years of age or older may be eligible for this study. Those enrolled will participate in a 45- to 60-minute interview by phone or in person, in which they will be asked questions about important changes in their lives and their past experiences with health care providers. The interview will be audiotaped.

This project aims to analyse eye movements, their alterations and influence in reading performance in patients with acquired CNS diseases and compare them with people of the same age, without neurological or ocular pathology and with normal reading speed and pattern. The exploration is focused on the oculomotor system in patients with CNS diseases, even without involvement of the primary visual pathway, and reveals more involvement than the one obtained by a simple ophthalmological examination.