Active clinical trials for "Ataxia"

The purpose of this project is to characterize measures of cardiac performance and neuromuscular physiology in FA patients using novel techniques, including echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), metabolic exercise testing, and neurophysiological outcomes.

Friedreich's Ataxia (FA) Friedreich's Ataxia is a neurodegenerative disease caused by a homozygous expansion of the GAA triplet repeats of the frataxin gene (FXN). FA usually begins in childhood or adolescence. It affects both boys and girls. At the neurophysiological level, FA is characterised by neuronal loss affecting the dorsal root ganglia, spinal cord and cerebellum. At present, daily exercise is the only way to combat the disease. There is no cure for Friedreich's ataxia. Clinically, FA mainly combines balance, movement coordination, articulation (dysarthria) with cardiac involvement and sometimes diabetes . After a few years of evolution, walking is no longer possible. Recent data ; also indicate disturbances in information processing and cognitive functioning. In short, FA involves adolescents who progressively lose walking, writing and speech for some; however, each patient progresses differently with respect to the disease, and this is the case with respect to motor and cognitive symptoms.

Cerebellar ataxia is a pathology linked to the lesion of the cerebellum or the afferent and/or efferent cerebellar pathways. The aetiology can be an acquired cerebral lesion, following a chemical poisoning or a genetic degenerative lesion (for example : Friedreich's ataxia, spinocerebellar ataxias, etc.). As reported by the latest estimate available, genetic degenerative cerebellar ataxias affect approximately 6,000 patients in France (Orpha.net). Symptoms suffered by ataxic patients are : problems and gait disorders along with difficulties in coordination resulting in ataxia, uncoordinated movements. These symptoms cause a decrease in the quality of life on patients with spinocerebellar ataxia. The symptoms improvement linked to the cerebellar syndrome is based on rehabilitation that can be supplemented by use of technical aids. Current scientific knowledge confirms that intensive rehabilitation by physiotherapy and occupational therapy in patients with degenerative ataxias improves cerebellar symptoms. Nevertheless, the choice rehabilitation technique stay at the appreciation of the therapist. From the observation, the investigators have designed an intensive multidisciplinary rehabilitation program, called PAMPERO, with partner patients member of two genetic degenerative ataxia patient organisations. This 5-weeks program has been used in clinic during 3 years on 28 patients. It appears to be the only one in France. The preliminary results show a positive effect on ataxia symptom. Nevertheless, the duration of the benefice over time and the effect on the quality of life stay unknown. However, the quality of life is mainly affected by the participation restriction due to the risk of falling. The most frequent complaint from partner patient is the diminution of the social interaction resulting of the incapacity to move without risk. The present protocol aimed at evaluating the Rehabilitation Program in collaboration with partner patient on the symptom intensity, activity and quality of life on genetic and degenerative ataxia. This PAMPERO program's effect will be assessed by comparing the difference of Intensity of symptom measured by to Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) at inclusion and 3 months after the end of rehabilitation.

Constipation affects 12-19% of Americans. Pelvic floor dyssynergia is considered to play an important role in constipation but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood in individual patients. The investigators have developed a novel device named Fecobionics that provide detailed mapping of physiological parameters during defecation. The aim of the study is to use Fecobionics to assess anorectal function in dyssynergia patients and monitor and predict the outcome of the biofeedback therapy.

A pilot trial to determine the feasibility of treadmill training with dual training in patients with Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS).

Interventional study of the effects of vibro-tactile feedback on behavioral deficits and learning during motor training in patients with sensory ataxia.

The investigators plan to fill the gap between the current state of clinical trial readiness and the optimal one for SCA1 and SCA3, which are fatal rare diseases with no treatments. Through US-European collaborations, the investigators will establish the world's largest cohorts of subjects at the earliest disease stages, who will benefit most from treatments, validate an ability to detect disease onset and early progression by imaging markers, even prior to ataxia onset, and identify clinical trial designs that will generate the most conclusive results on treatment efficacy with small populations of patients.

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a fetal, rare neurodegenerative disease presenting with parksinonism, autonomic dysfunction, and cerebellar ataxia. Numerous anti-parkinsonism agents have been developed. However, no medication has yet been proven effective for the symptomatic or even causative treatment in cerebellar ataxia. To our knowledge, cerebellar N-methyl-D- aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors play a special role in the modulation of motor learning and coordination. Tllsh2910, a NMDA modulator, has been found to attenuate the ataxic gait in the mouse model. Here, we designed a large-scale double-blind randomized controlled, cross-over phase III trial to investigate the efficacy of Tllsh2910 in neurodegenerative ataxic patients and the association of gut microbiota change.

The purpose of this study is to determine if varenicline is effective in treating symptoms of Friedreich's ataxia.

The purpose of this study is to examine the differences in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) and blood of patients with spinocerebellar ataxias and healthy volunteers. The goal of this project is to identify new biomarkers that are useful for characterizing spinocerebellar ataxias and identify targets for treatment or prevention of this condition.