Valproic Acid and Carnitine in Patients With Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Summary

This is a multi-center trial to assess safety and efficacy of a combined regimen of oral valproic acid (VPA) and carnitine in patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) 2 to 17 years of age. Cohort 1 is a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized intention to treat protocol for SMA "sitters" 2 - 8 years of age. Cohort 2 is an open label protocol for SMA "standers and walkers" 3 - 17 years of age to explore responsiveness of efficacy outcomes. Outcome measures will include blood chemistries, functional testing, pulmonary function testing, electrophysiological evaluations, PedsQL quality of life assessment, quantitative assessments of survival motor neuron (SMN) mRNA from blood samples, growth and vital sign parameters. Six centers will enroll a total of 90 patients.

Timeline

Start

2005-09

Primary completion

2007-11

Completion

2007-11

Outcome

Missed primary endpoint

paper there was no difference in change from the baseline MHFMS score between treatment and placebo groups PMID 20808854 ↗

Publications

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• Kissel JT, Scott CB, Reyna SP, Crawford TO, Simard LR, Krosschell KJ, Acsadi G, Elsheik B, Schroth MK, D'Anjou G, LaSalle B, Prior TW, Sorenson S, Maczulski JA, Bromberg MB, Chan GM, Swoboda KJ; Project Cure Spinal Muscular Atrophy Investigators' Network. SMA CARNIVAL TRIAL PART II: a prospective, single-armed trial of L-carnitine and valproic acid in ambulatory children with spinal muscular atrophy. PLoS One. 2011;6(7):e21296. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0021296. Epub 2011 Jul 6.
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Indications