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High-Dose Intravenous Immunoglobulin to Treat Cerebellar Degeneration

NCT00034242 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: PHASE2 · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 20

Last updated 2008-03-04

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This study will examine whether high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is safe and effective for treating cerebellar ataxia-degeneration of the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for coordinating muscle movements and balance. The disease causes a slowly progressive impairment of speech and balance, with patients often developing slurred speech, tremor, clumsiness of the hands, and walking difficulties (ataxia). IVIG is derived from donated blood that has been purified, cleaned and processed into a form that can be infused. IVIG is an immune suppressant that is routinely used to treat other neurological conditions.

Patients 18 years of age and older with hereditary (genetic) or sporadic (unknown cause) cerebellar degeneration may be eligible for this 5-month study. They must have evidence of an immune component to their condition, such as gluten sensitivity or antiganglioside antibodies. Candidates will be screened with a neurological examination, a review of medical records and possibly blood tests.

Participants will be randomly assigned to receive infusions of either IVIG or placebo (an inactive substance) through an arm vein once a month for two months. The infusions will be given in the hospital in doses divided over 2 days, each lasting 6 to 10 hours. Before the infusions, patients will undergo ataxia assessments through tests of coordination and balance that may involve finger tapping, walking in a straight line, talking, and eye movements. When the treatment is finished, patients will be followed in the clinic once a month for 3 months for blood tests repeat ataxia assessments to evaluate the effects of treatment.

Conditions

  • Spinocerebellar Degenerations

Interventions

DRUG

high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

    lead NIH

Study Design

Purpose
TREATMENT

Eligibility

Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2002-04-30
Completion
2004-02-29

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT00034242 on ClinicalTrials.gov