Sporadic Degenerative Ataxia With Adult Onset: Natural History Study (SPORTAX-NHS)

Ataxia Study Group

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Late Onset Sporadic Cerebellar Ataxia

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02701036

SPORTAX 010/05

Details and patient eligibility

About

The key goals of SPORTAX-NHS is to compare the phenotype of multiple system atrophy of cerebellar type (MSA-C) and sporadic adult onset ataxia of unknown aetiology (SAOA) and to determine the rate of disease progression in both groups including determination of the factors that predict the development of MSA-C vs. SAOA, and at which time after onset of ataxia, a reliable distinction between both disorders is possible.

The planned study will also allow to collect blood samples and other biomaterials from patients with sporadic ataxia, which will be useful for future genetic and biomarker studies.

Full description

Progressive ataxia frequently starts in adults without a familial background. These patients may suffer from an acquired ataxia or a genetically determined ataxia despite negative family history. In the majority of them, however, a genetic or acquired cause of ataxia cannot be identified suggesting a sporadic degenerative ataxia. They can be subdivided into two groups. In one group, the underlying brain disease is multiple system atrophy (MSA), specifically MSA of cerebellar type (MSA-C). The characteristic clinical feature of MSA is the presence of severe autonomic failure defined by orthostatic hypotension or urinary incontinence. The second group is distinguished from MSA-C by the lasting absence of severe autonomic failure. These patients have been designated as sporadic adult onset ataxia of unknown aetiology (SAOA). In the first years after ataxia onset, a distinction between MSA-C and SAOA is often not possible.

There are only few studies comparing the phenotype of MSA-C and SAOA, and longitudinal studies focussing on the evolution of the phenotype of these disorders are completely lacking. In particular, the progression rate of SAOA compared to MSA-C has not been defined. In addition, it is unknown which factors predict the development of MSA-C vs. SAOA, and at which time after onset of ataxia, a reliable distinction between both disorders is possible.

To answer these questions, we plan to create a European registry of patients with sporadic degenerative ataxia of adult onset and to perform a natural history study. The planned study will also allow to collect blood samples and other biomaterials from patients with sporadic ataxia, which will be useful for future genetic and biomarker studies.

Enrollment: 300 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 40+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Progressive ataxia
• Disease onset after the age of 40 years
• Informative and negative family history (no similar disorders in first- and second-degree relatives; parents older than 50 years, or, if not alive, age at death of more than 50 years, no consanguinity of parents)

Exclusion criteria

• No established acquired cause of ataxia

Clinical exclusion criteria:

• No onset of ataxia in association with stroke, encephalitis, sepsis, hyperthermia or heat stroke;
• no chronic diarrhea;
• no unexplained visual loss;
• no alcohol abuse;
• no chronic intake of anticonvulsant drugs;
• no other toxic causes; no malignancies;
• no rapid progression (development of severe ataxia in less than 12 weeks);
• no insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Imaging exclusion criteria:

• No evidence of multiple sclerosis, ischemia, hemorrhage or tumor of the posterior fossa;
• absence of signal abnormalities on T2/FLAIR-images except abnormalities compatible with MSA

Laboratory exclusion criteria:

• Negative molecular genetic testing for FRDA (only required if there is no cerebellar atrophy on MRI, SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, SCA6, FMR1 premutation (only required if prominent tremor, cognitive impairment and signal abnormality on T2/FLAIR images in the middle cerebellar peduncle);
• antineuronal antibodies negative (only required, if disease duration less than 3 years);
• normal levels of vitamin B12;
• VDRL negative;
• normal thyreoid function

Trial design

300 participants in 2 patient groups

sporadic adult onset ataxia

Description:

SAOA denotes the non-hereditary degenerative adult-onset ataxia disorders that are distinct from multiple system atrophy (MSA). SAOA is a group of ataxia of unknown etiology characterized by a slowly progressive cerebellar syndrome starting around the age of 50 years. Possibly is accompanied by signs of mild autonomic dysfunction that do not meet the criteria of severe autonomic failure required for a diagnosis of MSA.

cerebellar multiple system atrophy

Description:

Multiple system atrophy of cerebellar type is a cerebellar syndrome with sporadic onset developing in midlife, with autonomic features of otherwise unexplained bladder dysfunction with or without erectile dysfunction in males, orthostatic hypotension and atrophy of the cerebellum, brainstem, and middle cerebellar peduncles.