View clinical trials related to Cerebellar Ataxia.
Filter by:The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the long-term safety and tolerability of deferiprone in subjects with Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA). The secondary objective is to evaluate the long-term efficacy of deferiprone for the treatment of FRDA. The tertiary objectives are to evaluate the effect of deferiprone on: 1. cardiac function, 2. quality of life, and 3. functional status.
The purpose of this protocol is to determine the efficacy of EGb 761 120 mg bid versus placebo in patients suffering from Friedreich Ataxia
Friedreich's ataxia (FA) is a rare progressive neurological disorder affecting approximately 1/30, 000 individuals. No treatment is presently available to counteract the neurodegeneration of this extremely severe disease. Pioglitazone, a well known PPAR gamma (peroxysome proliferators-activated receptor gamma) ligand induces the expression of many enzymes involved in the mitochondrial metabolism, including the superoxide dismutases. This agent may be therapeutic by counteracting the disabled recruitment of antioxidant enzymes in FA patients. This potential neuroprotective agent crosses the brain blood barrier in human. Primary objective: To explore the effects of Pioglitazone on neurological function in FA patients. We expect neurological benefits taking into account the natural course of the disease. Population: Subjects for this study will be limited to patients not older than 25 years Methodology: Prospective, randomized double-blind trial of Pioglitazone versus placebo in FA patients. Patients will be treated two years and will undergo clinical exams and testing during three days each six months at the clinical investigation centre.
This study is meant to assess the safety and tolerability of idebenone in patients with Friedreich's Ataxia over a 12 months period.
This study will evaluate the side effects and tolerability of the drug lithium in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type I (SCA1) an inherited disorder caused by loss of nerve cells in parts of the brain. Symptoms include ataxia (difficulty walking) and loss of muscle coordination and strength. Recent studies suggest that lithium may be helpful in treating some SCA1 symptoms. People between 18 and 65 years of age with SCA1 who have only difficulty walking or who have difficulty walking as well as tremor, hand incoordination or speech problems, may be eligible for this study. Participation requires three hospital admissions at the NIH Clinical Center and one outpatient visit. Participants undergo the following tests and procedures: Admission 1 (2-6 weeks) - Medical history, physical examination, blood and urine tests, electrocardiogram. - Evaluation of SCA1 symptoms (balance, walking, dexterity, tremor, memory, mood and concentration). - Monitoring of liquid intake and output (urine) and weight changes. - Lithium treatment Start treatment and remain in hospital until the blood level of the drug is stabilized; continue treatment at home after hospital discharge. Admission 2 (2-4 days, 4 weeks after hospital discharge). - Repeat of some or all of the procedures done at the first admission. - Continue lithium in hospital and at home after discharge, with local physician checking laboratory values as needed. Admission 3 (2-4 days, 8 weeks after Admission 2). - Repeat of some or all of the procedures done at other admissions. - Stop lithium. Outpatient Visit (4 weeks after Admission 3) - Evaluation of SCA1 symptoms. - Blood and urine tests.
Ataxia Telangiectasia (AT) is an autosomal recessive inherited condition caused by mutations in the ATM gene1. Patients suffer from neuro-degenerative problems, usually commencing in the second year of life, and affecting predominantly the cerebellum. They also develop the characteristic superficial telangiectases. Between 60 and 80% of affected children are immunodeficient. This is associated with deficiency of immunoglobulin A (IgA ) 2, of IgG23 and of antibody responses to pneumococcal polysaccharides4. Patients suffer recurrent sino-pulmonary infections but a recent study suggests poor correlation between immune status and immunological parameters5. If uncontrolled, recurrent pulmonary infections can contribute to the development of chronic lung disease and bronchiectasis. Preventative management includes continuous prophylactic antibiotic treatment in some with the need for replacement immunoglobulin therapy in only a small proportion of cases. Antibiotics have been reasonably effective in this situation but the emergence of resistance amongst community acquired pneumococcal isolates is a cause for concern. Appropriate immunisation strategies may also have a role. This study is designed to look at antibody responses in a one versus two dose regimen in a cohort of AT patients recruited through the AT Society a national charitable organisation involved in providing support to families with this condition and in fostering education and research in the field.
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.
This research is being done to find out if Baclofen, a medicine that is often used for the treatment of abnormal stiffness, might also be useful to treat some of the neurologic problems caused by ataxia telangiectasia (A-T). The investigators also want to find out if there are better ways to measure the problems of ataxia and abnormal eye movement for future studies of medication in ataxia telangiectasia.
Friedreich's ataxia is a rare genetic disorder characterized by severe neurological disability and cardiomyopathy. Friedreich's ataxia is the consequence of frataxin deficiency. Although several drugs have been proposed, there is no available treatment. It was recently demonstrated that erythropoietin can increase the intracellular levels of frataxin in an in-vitro model. The present project is aimed at testing the possible therapeutic approach of erythropoietin, which is an already available and commercialized drug. The investigators will perform both in-vitro and in-vivo tests, in order to asses its efficacy and safety in patients. The results will be useful to plan further clinical trials.
This study is meant to assess the effectiveness of idebenone on neurological outcome measures in patients with Friedreich's Ataxia over a 6 months period.