The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of micronised resveratrol as a treatment for FRDA, in terms of reducing the severity of ataxia symptoms at 24 weeks, through a randomised blinded, placebo controlled crossover trial.
Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is the most common hereditary ataxia, with an estimated prevalence in Caucasians of 1 in 30,000. Neurological features of FRDA are progressive gait and limb ataxia, absent lower limb reflexes, and loss of position and vibration sense. There are currently no treatments proven to alter the natural history of FRDA. Resveratrol is a naturally occurring compound found in red wine, berries, and nuts. It is postulated to have wide-ranging health benefits, including antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antidiabetic and neuroprotective properties. The study will be a double-blinded, placebo-controlled randomised 2-period crossover trial of 2g/day of micronised resveratrol in FRDA over 24 weeks. The study will enrol 40 patients with FRDA from 3 sites. The primary outcome measure is the change in modified Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale (mFARS) score from baseline to 24 weeks.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
25
Drug name: Micronised resveratrol. Dosage form: 500mg capsules. Alternate name: 1,3-Benzenediol, 5-\[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethenyl\]-, (E). Ingredients: 99.50% pure trans-resveratrol. Placebo capsules will be identical in terms of taste, smell, and appearance.
Royal North Shore Hospital
St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research
Herston, Queensland, Australia
Murdoch Children's Research Institute
Parkville, Victoria, Australia
Royal Perth Hospital
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Modified Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale
Change in the Modified Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale score (score range 0-99) at 24 weeks compared with baseline. Higher scores are indicative of more severe disease.
Time frame: 24 weeks
Nine-Hole Peg Test
Change in the Nine-Hole Peg Test at 24 weeks compared with baseline.
Time frame: 24 weeks
Berg Balance Scale
Change in the Berg Balance Scale (score range 0-56) at 24 weeks compared with baseline. A higher score indicates lower fall risk.
Time frame: 24 weeks
Ataxia Instrumented Measure-Spoon
Change in the Ataxia Instrumented Measure-Spoon at 24 weeks compared with baseline.
Time frame: 24 weeks
Friedreich Ataxia Impact Scale
Change in the Friedreich Ataxia Impact Scale at 24 weeks compared with baseline. The Friedreich Ataxia Impact Scale comprises 8 subscales (score range 0-100) that are scored independently. A higher score indicates greater impact of Friedreich ataxia on health and well-being.
Time frame: 24 weeks
Modified Fatigue Impact Scale
Change in the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (score range 0-24) at 24 weeks compared with baseline. Higher scores indicate a greater impact of fatigue on an individual's activities.
Time frame: 24 weeks
Measures of speech
Change in measures of speech (reading a paragraph, produce a prolonged vowel sound for 5 seconds, count from one to 20, and produce a 1-minute monologue on a pre-specified topic) at 24 weeks compared with baseline.
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Time frame: 24 weeks
Measures of hearing
Change in measures of hearing using the Listening in Spatialized Noise Test (LiSN-S) at 24 weeks compared with baseline.
Time frame: 24 weeks
Cardiac parameters measured by echocardiography
Change in left ventricular global longitudinal strain at 24 weeks compared to baseline.
Time frame: 24 weeks
Cardiac parameters measured by ECG
Change in QRS duration at lead V5 at 24 weeks compared to baseline.
Time frame: 24 weeks
Frataxin levels
Change in frataxin levels at 24 weeks compared to baseline.
Time frame: 24 weeks
mRNA levels
Change in PGC-1α mRNA levels and Nrf2 mRNA levels at 24 weeks compared to baseline.
Time frame: 24 weeks
Plasma F2-isoprostane levels
Change in plasma F2-isoprostane levels at 24 weeks compared to baseline.
Time frame: 24 weeks