Protocol Number: 01-N-0167

Title:

Phase I Clinical Trial to Establish the Maximum Tolerated Dose of Idebenone in Children, Adolescents, and Adults with Friedreich's Ataxia

Number:

01-N-0167

Summary:

This study will determine the highest dose of idebonone that can safely be given to patients with Friedrich's ataxia, an inherited degenerative disease that causes loss of muscle coordination, speech problems, weakness and sensory loss. Enlargement of the left ventricle (the large pumping chamber of the heart) is also common in this disease. In studies in France and Canada, patients with Friedrich's ataxia who were given idebonone, an antioxidant similar to the dietary supplement coenzyme Q, had a decrease in the size of their left ventricle.

Patients 5 years and older with Friedrich's ataxia may be eligible for this study. Pregnant and lactating women may not participate. Candidates will be screened with a medical history and physical examination and a review of genetic studies. Patients who have not had genetic studies will be offered genetic counseling and testing to confirm or rule out Friedrich's ataxia.

Participants will be admitted to the NIH Clinical Center for 3 days. They will have blood and urine tests and a heart evaluation, including an echocardiogram-a procedure that uses sound waves to produce images of the heart, and an electrocardiogram-a study of the electrical activity of the heart. When these tests have been completed, patients will take an idebonone capsule. They will be monitored for side effects for 72 hours. Blood samples will be collected through an intravenous catheter (flexible plastic tube placed in a vein) 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours after the drug is taken to determine how long it takes for the drug to be eliminated from the body.

Patients will return for a follow-up visit within 1 to 8 weeks. Those who experienced no serious side effects may receive another, higher dose of the drug, with at least 6 days between doses.

Sponsoring Institute:

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Recruitment Detail

Type: Active Accrual Of New Subjects

Gender: Male & Female

Referral Letter Required: No

Population Exclusion(s): None

Eligibility Criteria:

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Diagnosis of FRDA with confirmed FRDA mutations.

Age greater than or equal to five years old.

No exposure to idebenone or coenzyme Q10 for a period of at least one week prior to onset of the medication phase of the study.

Written, informed consent (and assent, if applicable).

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

History of a hypersensitivity reaction to idebenone or coenzyme

Q10.

Pregnant or lactating women. All women of child-bearing potential must have negative serum pregnancy prior to the medication phase of the study.

Age less than five years old.

Platelet count, lymphocyte count or hemoglobin below the lower limit of normal.

Alkaline phosphatase, SGOT, SGPT greater than 1.5 times the upper limit of normal. Bilirubin greater than 1.2 g/dl.

Creatinine greater than 1.5 times the upper limit of normal.

Clinically significant medical disease that, in the judgment of the investigators, would expose the patient to undue risk of harm or prevent the patient from completing the study.

Special Instructions: Currently Not Provided

Keywords:

Neurodegeneration

Anti-Oxidant

Neuropathy

Hereditary

Spinocerebellar

Recruitment Keywords:

Friedreich's Ataxia

Friedreich Ataxia

FRDA

Conditions:

Friedreich Ataxia

Investigational Drug(s):

Idebenone

Investigational Device(s):

None

Contacts:

Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office
Building 61
10 Cloister Court
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4754
Toll Free: 1-800-411-1222
TTY: 301-594-9774 (local),1-866-411-1010 (toll free)
Fax: 301-480-9793

Electronic Mail:prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov

Citations:

Regulation of mitochondrial iron accumulation by Yfh1p, a putative homolog of frataxin

Energetics in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases

Friedreich ataxia: autosomal recessive disease caused by an intronic GAA triplet repeat expansion

• Questions about participating in a study, please contact the Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office, CC.
• Technical questions regarding the Clinical Center web site, please contact the Department of Networks and Applications, CC.

Search The Studies | Help | Questions |
Clinical Center Home | NIH Home

Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center (CC)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Bethesda, Maryland 20892. Last update: 10/23/2004