Clinical Trials Logo

Clinical Trial Summary

This study will screen patients with cerebellar ataxia to check for antibodies that indicate allergy to gluten (wheat protein) and will study the effect of a gluten-free diet in patients with these antibodies. Patients with cerebellar ataxia have problems with coordination, resulting in "clumsiness" and unsteadiness of posture and walking.

There are many known causes of cerebellar ataxia, but in many patients the cause is unknown and there are no available treatments. Cerebellar ataxia has been recognized as a complication of celiac disease, a syndrome characterized by sensitivity to gluten. Recognizing gluten sensitivity in patients with cerebellar ataxia would be important for two reasons: it would be one of the rare causes of the disease that are potentially treatable, and it would identify patients at risk for developing gastrointestinal cancers, particularly intestinal lymphoma.

Patients with cerebellar ataxia of known or unknown cause and normal healthy volunteers of any age are eligible for this study.

All participants will have a medical history, physical examination, blood drawn (30 milliliters, or 2 tablespoons) to check for celiac disease antibodies, and possibly other lab tests. This completes the participation of normal volunteers.

All patients will have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. This diagnostic tool uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves instead of X-rays to show structural and chemical changes in tissues. During the scanning, the patient lies on a table in a narrow cylinder containing a magnetic field. He or she can speak with a staff member via an intercom system at all times during the procedure. Scanning times vary from 20 minutes to 2 hours.

Patients who have celiac disease antibodies will have an upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy intestinal biopsy. For this procedure, a flexible tube is inserted into the mouth and down the throat into the stomach and duodenum (the upper part of the small intestine), where a small tissue sample is taken for microscopic examination. Patients with these antibodies will be put on a gluten-free diet and will be followed at NIH every 3 months for 12 months. On the first visit, patients will have their ataxia evaluated using NINDS's ataxia scale and will meet with a dietitian for instructions for a gluten-free diet. On the second through fifth visits (after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, respectively, on the gluten-free diet), patients will have their ataxia evaluated, speak with a dietitian to assess their nutritional status, weight, and compliance with the diet, and provide a blood sample for celiac disease antibody testing.

At the completion of the study, patients may choose to continue or stop the gluten-free diet. If the ataxia assessments show improvement, patients will be advised to continue the gluten-free diet permanently.


Clinical Trial Description

In many patients with cerebellar ataxia, the etiology is unknown. Sensitivity to gluten (wheat protein) has been suggested as a cause for cerebellar ataxia even in the absence of malabsorption symptoms or intestinal pathology. However, the prevalence of gluten sensitivity in patients presenting with cerebellar ataxia is unknown and the effect of gluten-free diet on gluten sensitivity-associated cerebellar ataxia has not been systematically studied. The aim of this project is: 1) To identify gluten sensitive cerebellar ataxia patients attending the Human Motor Control Clinic at the NIH using tests for celiac disease antibodies as a screening method. 2) To conduct open-label controlled clinical trial to assess the efficacy of gluten-free diet in the patients identified using a detailed cerebellar ataxia scale as an objective clinical measure. ;


Study Design

N/A


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


NCT number NCT00006492
Study type Observational
Source National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)
Contact
Status Completed
Phase N/A
Start date November 2000
Completion date December 2002

See also
  Status Clinical Trial Phase
Recruiting NCT06052553 - A Study of TopSpin360 Training Device N/A
Completed NCT05511077 - Biomarkers of Oat Product Intake: The BiOAT Marker Study N/A
Recruiting NCT04632485 - Early Detection of Vascular Dysfunction Using Biomarkers From Lagrangian Carotid Strain Imaging
Completed NCT05931237 - Cranberry Flavan-3-ols Consumption and Gut Microbiota in Healthy Adults N/A
Completed NCT04527718 - Study of the Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of 611 in Adult Healthy Volunteers Phase 1
Terminated NCT04556032 - Effects of Ergothioneine on Cognition, Mood, and Sleep in Healthy Adult Men and Women N/A
Completed NCT04065295 - A Study to Test How Well Healthy Men Tolerate Different Doses of BI 1356225 Phase 1
Completed NCT04107441 - AX-8 Drug Safety, Tolerability and Plasma Levels in Healthy Subjects Phase 1
Completed NCT04998695 - Health Effects of Consuming Olive Pomace Oil N/A
Completed NCT01442831 - Evaluate the Absorption, Metabolism, And Excretion Of Orally Administered [14C] TR 701 In Healthy Adult Male Subjects Phase 1
Terminated NCT05934942 - A Study in Healthy Women to Test Whether BI 1358894 Influences the Amount of a Contraceptive in the Blood Phase 1
Recruiting NCT05525845 - Studying the Hedonic and Homeostatic Regulation of Food Intake Using Functional MRI N/A
Completed NCT05515328 - A Study in Healthy Men to Test How BI 685509 is Processed in the Body Phase 1
Completed NCT05030857 - Drug-drug Interaction and Food-effect Study With GLPG4716 and Midazolam in Healthy Subjects Phase 1
Completed NCT04967157 - Cognitive Effects of Citicoline on Attention in Healthy Men and Women N/A
Recruiting NCT04714294 - Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics Characteristics of HPP737 in Healthy Volunteers Phase 1
Recruiting NCT04494269 - A Study to Evaluate Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Tegoprazan in Subjects With Hepatic Impairment and Healthy Controls Phase 1
Completed NCT04539756 - Writing Activities and Emotions N/A
Recruiting NCT04098510 - Concentration of MitoQ in Human Skeletal Muscle N/A
Completed NCT03308110 - Bioavailability and Food Effect Study of Two Formulations of PF-06650833 Phase 1