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L'Italien G, Popoff E, Rogula B, Powell L, Potashman M, Dickson S, O'Keefe P, Beiner M, Coric V, Perlman S, Schmahmann JD, Hendrix S. Development and Validation of SCACOMS, a Composite Scale for Assessing Disease Progression and Treatment Effects in Spinocerebellar Ataxia. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024:10.1007/s12311-024-01697-8. [PMID: 38710966 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-024-01697-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA) are rare inherited neurodegenerative disorders characterized by a progressive impairment of gait, balance, limb coordination, and speech. There is currently no composite scale that includes multiple aspects of the SCA experience to assess disease progression and treatment effects. Applying the method of partial least squares (PLS) regression, we developed the Spinocerebellar Ataxia Composite Scale (SCACOMS) from two SCA natural history datasets (NCT01060371, NCT02440763). PLS regression selected items based on their ability to detect clinical decline, with optimized weights based on the item's degree of progression. Following model validation, SCACOMS was leveraged to examine disease progression and treatment effects in a 48-week SCA clinical trial cohort (NCT03701399). Items from the Clinical Global Impression-Global Improvement Scale (CGI-I), the Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale (FARS) - functional stage, and the Modified Functional Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (f-SARA) were objectively selected with weightings based on their sensitivity to clinical decline. The resulting SCACOMS exhibited improved sensitivity to disease progression and greater treatment effects (compared to the original scales from which they were derived) in a 48-week clinical trial of a novel therapeutic agent. The trial analyses also provided a SCACOMS-derived estimate of the temporal delay in SCA disease progression. SCACOMS is a useful composite measure, effectively capturing disease progression and highlighting treatment effects in patients with SCA. SCACOMS will be a powerful tool in future studies given its sensitivity to clinical decline and ability to detect a meaningful clinical impact of disease-modifying treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Evan Popoff
- Broadstreet Health Economics and Outcomes Research, 201-343 Railway Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Basia Rogula
- Broadstreet Health Economics and Outcomes Research, 201-343 Railway Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Lauren Powell
- Broadstreet Health Economics and Outcomes Research, 201-343 Railway Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Sam Dickson
- Pentara Corp, 2261 East 3300 South, Millcreek, UT, USA
| | | | - Melissa Beiner
- Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, Inc 215 Church St, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Vlad Coric
- Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, Inc 215 Church St, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Susan Perlman
- Department of Neurology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jeremy D Schmahmann
- Ataxia Center, Laboratory for Neuroanatomy and Cerebellar Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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2
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Lai R, Rummey C, Amlang CJ, Lin CR, Chen TX, Perlman S, Wilmot G, Gomez CM, Schmahmann JD, Paulson H, Ying SH, Onyike CU, Zesiewicz TA, Bushara KO, Geschwind MD, Figueroa KP, Pulst SM, Subramony SH, Burns MR, Opal P, Duquette A, Ashizawa T, Hamedani AG, Davis MY, Srinivasan SR, Moore LR, Shakkottai VG, Rosenthal LS, Kuo S. Fatigue Impacts Quality of Life in People with Spinocerebellar Ataxias. Mov Disord Clin Pract 2024; 11:496-503. [PMID: 38419568 PMCID: PMC11078491 DOI: 10.1002/mdc3.14006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fatigue is a prevalent and debilitating symptom in neurological disorders, including spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs). However, the risk factors of fatigue in the SCAs as well as its impact have not been well investigated. OBJECTIVES To study the prevalence of fatigue in SCAs, the factors contributing to fatigue, and the influence of fatigue on quality of life. METHODS Fatigue was assessed in 418 participants with SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, and SCA6 from the Clinical Research Consortium for the Study of Cerebellar Ataxia using the Fatigue Severity Scale. We conducted multi-variable linear regression models to examine the factors contributing to fatigue as well as the association between fatigue and quality of life. RESULTS Fatigue was most prevalent in SCA3 (52.6%), followed by SCA1 (36.7%), SCA6 (35.7%), and SCA2 (35.6%). SCA cases with fatigue had more severe ataxia and worse depressive symptoms. In SCA3, those with fatigue had a longer disease duration and longer pathological CAG repeat numbers. In multi-variable models, depressive symptoms, but not ataxia severity, were associated with more severe fatigue. Fatigue, independent of ataxia and depression, contributed to worse quality of life in SCA3 and SCA6 at baseline, and fatigue continued affecting quality of life throughout the disease course in all types of SCA. CONCLUSIONS Fatigue is a common symptom in SCAs and is closely related to depression. Fatigue significantly impacts patients' quality of life. Therefore, screening for fatigue should be considered a part of standard clinical care for SCAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruo‐Yah Lai
- Department of NeurologyColumbia University Medical CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Initiative of Columbia Ataxia and TremorColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | | | - Christian J. Amlang
- Department of NeurologyColumbia University Medical CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Initiative of Columbia Ataxia and TremorColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Department of NeurologySUNY Downstate Health Sciences UniversityBrooklyn, New YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Chi‐Ying R. Lin
- Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease Centers, Department of NeurologyBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Tiffany X. Chen
- Department of NeurologyColumbia University Medical CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Initiative of Columbia Ataxia and TremorColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Whiting School of EngineeringJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Susan Perlman
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of California Los AngelesLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - George Wilmot
- Department of NeurologyEmory UniversityAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | | | - Jeremy D. Schmahmann
- Ataxia Center, Laboratory for Neuroanatomy and Cerebellar Neurobiology, Cognitive Behavioral Neurology Unit, Department of NeurologyMassachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Henry Paulson
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Sarah H. Ying
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Chiadi U. Onyike
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | | | - Khalaf O. Bushara
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
| | - Michael D. Geschwind
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Stefan M. Pulst
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUtahUSA
| | - Sub H. Subramony
- Department of Neurology, McKnight Brain InstituteUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Matthew R. Burns
- Department of Neurology, McKnight Brain InstituteUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Puneet Opal
- Department of NeurologyNorthwestern UniversityChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Antoine Duquette
- Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de MontréalUniversity of MontrealMontrealQuebecCanada
| | | | - Ali G. Hamedani
- Departments of Neurology, Ophthalmology, and Epidemiology, Perelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Marie Y. Davis
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
- Neurology DivisionVA Puget Sound Health Care SystemSeattleWAUnited States
| | | | | | - Vikram G. Shakkottai
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTexasUSA
| | | | - Sheng‐Han Kuo
- Department of NeurologyColumbia University Medical CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Initiative of Columbia Ataxia and TremorColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
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3
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Moraes DBV, Coradine TLC, Silva EVL, Sobreira-Neto MA, Marques W, Gitaí LLG, Tumas V. Genetic Epidemiology and Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Spinocerebellar Ataxias in an Unexplored Brazilian State, Using Strategies for Resource-Limited Settings. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 23:609-619. [PMID: 37454040 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-023-01581-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) have a worldwide average prevalence of 2.7 cases per 100,000 individuals, with significant geographic variability. This study aimed to develop resource-limited strategies to detect and characterize the frequency and genetic-clinical profile of SCAs in an unexplored population from Alagoas State, a low Human Development Index state in northeastern Brazil. Active search strategies were employed to identify individuals with a diagnosis or clinical suspicion of SCAs, and a protocol for clinical and molecular evaluation was applied in collaboration with a reference center in Neurogenetics. A total of 73 individuals with SCAs were identified, with a minimum estimated prevalence of 2.17 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. SCA3 was the most common type (75.3%), followed by SCA7 (15.1%), SCA1 (6.8%), and SCA2 (2.7%). Patients with SCA3 subphenotype 2 were the most predominant. Detailed analysis of patients with SCA3 and SCA7 revealed age at onset and clinical features congruent with other studies, with gait disturbance and reduced visual capacity in SCA7 as the main initial manifestations. The study also identified many asymptomatic individuals at risk of developing SCAs. These findings demonstrate that simple and collaborative strategies can enhance the detection capacity of rare diseases such as SCAs in resource-limited settings and that Alagoas State has a minimum estimated prevalence of SCAs similar to the world average.
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Affiliation(s)
- Débora Beserra Vilar Moraes
- Postgraduate Program, Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Campus Universitário - Rua Bernardino de Campos, 1000 - Centro, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 65470-000, Brazil
| | - Tácio Luis Cavalcante Coradine
- Graduation Course, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Alagoas, Campus Universitário, Avenida Lourival Melo Mota S/N, Tabuleiro dos Martins, CEP 57.072-900, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil
| | - Everton Vieira Lopes Silva
- Graduation Course, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Alagoas, Campus Universitário, Avenida Lourival Melo Mota S/N, Tabuleiro dos Martins, CEP 57.072-900, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil
| | - Manoel Alves Sobreira-Neto
- Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Rua Prof. Costa Mendes, 1408 - 4°, Andar, CEP: 60.430-140, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Wilson Marques
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Campus Universitário - Rua Bernardino de Campos, 1000 - Centro, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 65470-000, Brazil
| | - Lívia Leite Góes Gitaí
- Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Alagoas, Campus Universitário, Avenida Lourival Melo Mota S/N, Tabuleiro dos Martins, CEP 57.072-900, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil.
- , Maceió, Brazil.
| | - Vitor Tumas
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Campus Universitário - Rua Bernardino de Campos, 1000 - Centro, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 65470-000, Brazil.
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Lin CYR, Kuo SH, Opal P. Cognitive, Emotional, and Other Non-motor Symptoms of Spinocerebellar Ataxias. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2024; 24:47-54. [PMID: 38270820 PMCID: PMC10922758 DOI: 10.1007/s11910-024-01331-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are autosomal dominant degenerative syndromes that present with ataxia and brain stem abnormalities. This review describes the cognitive and behavioral symptoms of SCAs in the context of recent knowledge of the role of the cerebellum in higher intellectual function. RECENT FINDINGS Recent studies suggest that patients with spinocerebellar ataxia can display cognitive deficits even early in the disease. These have been given the term cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome (CCAS). CCAS can be tracked using newly developed rating scales. In addition, patients with spinocerebellar ataxia also display impulsive and compulsive behavior, depression, anxiety, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. This review stresses the importance of recognizing non-motor symptoms in SCAs. There is a pressing need for novel therapeutic interventions to address these symptoms given their deleterious impact on patients' quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Ying R Lin
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sheng-Han Kuo
- Department of Neurology and Initiative for Columbia Ataxia and Tremor, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Puneet Opal
- Davee Department of Neurology and Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
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5
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Selvadurai LP, Perlman SL, Ashizawa T, Wilmot GR, Onyike CU, Rosenthal LS, Shakkottai VG, Paulson HL, Subramony SH, Bushara KO, Kuo SH, Dietiker C, Geschwind MD, Nelson AB, Gomez CM, Opal P, Zesiewicz TA, Hawkins T, Yacoubian TA, Nopoulos PC, Sha SJ, Morrison PE, Figueroa KP, Pulst SM, Schmahmann JD. The Cerebellar Cognitive Affective/Schmahmann Syndrome Scale in Spinocerebellar Ataxias. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024:10.1007/s12311-023-01651-0. [PMID: 38165578 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-023-01651-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
The Cerebellar Cognitive Affective/Schmahmann Syndrome (CCAS) manifests as impaired executive control, linguistic processing, visual spatial function, and affect regulation. The CCAS has been described in the spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs), but its prevalence is unknown. We analyzed results of the CCAS/Schmahmann Scale (CCAS-S), developed to detect and quantify CCAS, in two natural history studies of 309 individuals Symptomatic for SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, SCA6, SCA7, or SCA8, 26 individuals Pre-symptomatic for SCA1 or SCA3, and 37 Controls. We compared total raw scores, domain scores, and total fail scores between Symptomatic, Pre-symptomatic, and Control cohorts, and between SCA types. We calculated scale sensitivity and selectivity based on CCAS category designation among Symptomatic individuals and Controls, and correlated CCAS-S performance against age and education, and in Symptomatic patients, against genetic repeat length, onset age, disease duration, motor ataxia, depression, and fatigue. Definite CCAS was identified in 46% of the Symptomatic group. False positive rate among Controls was 5.4%. Symptomatic individuals had poorer global CCAS-S performance than Controls, accounting for age and education. The domains of semantic fluency, phonemic fluency, and category switching that tap executive function and linguistic processing consistently separated Symptomatic individuals from Controls. CCAS-S scores correlated most closely with motor ataxia. Controls were similar to Pre-symptomatic individuals whose nearness to symptom onset was unknown. The use of the CCAS-S identifies a high CCAS prevalence in a large cohort of SCA patients, underscoring the utility of the scale and the notion that the CCAS is the third cornerstone of clinical ataxiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louisa P Selvadurai
- Department of Neurology, Ataxia Center, Cognitive Behavioral Neurology Unit, Laboratory for Neuroanatomy and Cerebellar Neurobiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 2000, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Susan L Perlman
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Tetsuo Ashizawa
- Department of Neurology, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - George R Wilmot
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Chiadi U Onyike
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Liana S Rosenthal
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Vikram G Shakkottai
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Henry L Paulson
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sub H Subramony
- Department of Neurology, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Khalaf O Bushara
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Sheng-Han Kuo
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Cameron Dietiker
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Alexandra B Nelson
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Puneet Opal
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Theresa A Zesiewicz
- Department of Neurology, University of South Florida Ataxia Research Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Trevor Hawkins
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Talene A Yacoubian
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Peggy C Nopoulos
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Sharon J Sha
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Peter E Morrison
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Karla P Figueroa
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Stefan M Pulst
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jeremy D Schmahmann
- Department of Neurology, Ataxia Center, Cognitive Behavioral Neurology Unit, Laboratory for Neuroanatomy and Cerebellar Neurobiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 2000, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
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6
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McLoughlin HS, Gundry K, Rainwater O, Schuster KH, Wellik IG, Zalon AJ, Benneyworth MA, Eberly LE, Öz G. Antisense Oligonucleotide Silencing Reverses Abnormal Neurochemistry in Spinocerebellar Ataxia 3 Mice. Ann Neurol 2023; 94:658-671. [PMID: 37243335 PMCID: PMC10543567 DOI: 10.1002/ana.26713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is the most common dominantly inherited ataxia, and biomarkers are needed to noninvasively monitor disease progression and treatment response. Anti-ATXN3 antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) treatment has been shown to mitigate neuropathology and rescue motor phenotypes in SCA3 mice. Here, we investigated whether repeated ASO administration reverses brainstem and cerebellar neurochemical abnormalities by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). METHODS Symptomatic SCA3 mice received intracerebroventricular treatment of ASO or vehicle and were compared to wild-type vehicle-treated littermates. To quantify neurochemical changes in treated mice, longitudinal 9.4T MRS of cerebellum and brainstem was performed. Acquired magnetic resonance (MR) group means were analyzed by 2-way analysis of variance mixed-effects sex-adjusted analysis with post hoc Sidak correlation for multiple comparisons. Pearson correlations were used to relate SCA3 pathology and behavior. RESULTS MR spectra yielded 15 to 16 neurochemical concentrations in the cerebellum and brainstem. ASO treatment in SCA3 mice resulted in significant total choline rescue and partial reversals of taurine, glutamine, and total N-acetylaspartate across both regions. Some ASO-rescued neurochemicals correlated with reduction in diseased protein and nuclear ATXN3 accumulation. ASO-corrected motor activity correlated with total choline and total N-acetylaspartate levels early in disease. INTERPRETATION SCA3 mouse cerebellar and brainstem neurochemical trends parallel those in patients with SCA3. Decreased total choline may reflect oligodendrocyte abnormalities, decreased total N-acetylaspartate highlights neuronal health disturbances, and high glutamine may indicate gliosis. ASO treatment fully or partially reversed select neurochemical abnormalities in SCA3 mice, indicating the potential for these measures to serve as noninvasive treatment biomarkers in future SCA3 gene silencing trials. ANN NEUROL 2023;94:658-671.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Katherine Gundry
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Orion Rainwater
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | | | - Isabel G. Wellik
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Annie J. Zalon
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Lynn E. Eberly
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Gülin Öz
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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7
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Selvadurai LP, Perlman SL, Wilmot GR, Subramony SH, Gomez CM, Ashizawa T, Paulson HL, Onyike CU, Rosenthal LS, Sair HI, Kuo SH, Ratai EM, Zesiewicz TA, Bushara KO, Öz G, Dietiker C, Geschwind MD, Nelson AB, Opal P, Yacoubian TA, Nopoulos PC, Shakkottai VG, Figueroa KP, Pulst SM, Morrison PE, Schmahmann JD. The S-Factor, a New Measure of Disease Severity in Spinocerebellar Ataxia: Findings and Implications. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2023; 22:790-809. [PMID: 35962273 PMCID: PMC10363993 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-022-01424-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are progressive neurodegenerative disorders, but there is no metric that predicts disease severity over time. We hypothesized that by developing a new metric, the Severity Factor (S-Factor) using immutable disease parameters, it would be possible to capture disease severity independent of clinical rating scales. Extracting data from the CRC-SCA and READISCA natural history studies, we calculated the S-Factor for 438 participants with symptomatic SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, or SCA6, as follows: ((length of CAG repeat expansion - maximum normal repeat length) /maximum normal repeat length) × (current age - age at disease onset) × 10). Within each SCA type, the S-Factor at the first Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) visit (baseline) was correlated against scores on SARA and other motor and cognitive assessments. In 281 participants with longitudinal data, the slope of the S-Factor over time was correlated against slopes of scores on SARA and other motor rating scales. At baseline, the S-Factor showed moderate-to-strong correlations with SARA and other motor rating scales at the group level, but not with cognitive performance. Longitudinally the S-Factor slope showed no consistent association with the slope of performance on motor scales. Approximately 30% of SARA slopes reflected a trend of non-progression in motor symptoms. The S-Factor is an observer-independent metric of disease burden in SCAs. It may be useful at the group level to compare cohorts at baseline in clinical studies. Derivation and examination of the S-factor highlighted challenges in the use of clinical rating scales in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louisa P Selvadurai
- Ataxia Center, Cognitive Behavioral Neurology Unit, Laboratory for Neuroanatomy and Cerebellar Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Susan L Perlman
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - George R Wilmot
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sub H Subramony
- Department of Neurology, University of Florida College of Medicine, McKnight Brain Institute, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Tetsuo Ashizawa
- Department of Neurology, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Henry L Paulson
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Chiadi U Onyike
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Liana S Rosenthal
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Haris I Sair
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sheng-Han Kuo
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eva-Maria Ratai
- Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Theresa A Zesiewicz
- Department of Neurology, Ataxia Research Center, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Khalaf O Bushara
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Gülin Öz
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Cameron Dietiker
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Alexandra B Nelson
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Puneet Opal
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Talene A Yacoubian
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Peggy C Nopoulos
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Vikram G Shakkottai
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Karla P Figueroa
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Stefan M Pulst
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Peter E Morrison
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Jeremy D Schmahmann
- Ataxia Center, Cognitive Behavioral Neurology Unit, Laboratory for Neuroanatomy and Cerebellar Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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8
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Jacobi H, Schaprian T, Schmitz‐Hübsch T, Schmid M, Klockgether T. Disease progression of spinocerebellar ataxia types 1, 2, 3 and 6 before and after ataxia onset. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2023; 10:1833-1843. [PMID: 37592453 PMCID: PMC10578893 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Our aim was to study the evolution of ataxia and neurological symptoms before and after ataxia onset in the most common spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs), SCA1, SCA2, SCA3 and SCA6. We therefore jointly analysed the data of the EUROSCA and RISCA studies, which recruited ataxic and non-ataxic mutation carriers. METHODS We used mixed effect models to analyse the evolution of Scale for the Rating and Assessment of Ataxia (SARA) scores, SCA Functional Index (SCAFI) and Inventory of Non-Ataxia Signs (INAS) counts. We applied multivariable modelling to identify factors associated with SARA progression. In the time interval 5 years prior to and after ataxia onset, we calculated sensitivity to change ratios (SCS) of SARA, SCAFI and INAS. RESULTS 2740 visits of 677 participants were analysed. All measures showed non-linear progression that was best fitted by linear mixed models with linear, quadratic and cubic time effects. R2 values indicating quality of the fit ranged from 0.70 to 0.97. CAG repeat was associated with faster progression in SCA1, SCA2 and SCA3, but not SCA6. 5 years prior to and after ataxia onset, SARA had the highest SCS of all measures with a mean of 1.21 (95% CI: 1.20, 1.21) in SCA1, 0.94 (0.93, 0.94) in SCA2 and 1.23 (1.22, 1.23) in SCA3. INTERPRETATION Our data have important implications for the understanding of disease progression in SCA1, SCA2, SCA3 and SCA6 across the lifespan. Furthermore, our study provides information for the design of interventional trials, especially in pre-ataxic mutation carriers close to ataxia onset and patients in early disease stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heike Jacobi
- Department of NeurologyUniversity Hospital HeidelbergHeidelbergGermany
| | | | - Tanja Schmitz‐Hübsch
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a cooperation of Max‐Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine and Charité – Univeristätsmedizin BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Matthias Schmid
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)BonnGermany
- Department of Medical Biometry, Informatics and Epidemiology, Medical FacultyUniversity of BonnBonnGermany
| | - Thomas Klockgether
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)BonnGermany
- Department of NeurologyUniversity Hospital of BonnBonnGermany
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9
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Kerkhof LMC, van de Warrenburg BPC, van Roon-Mom WMC, Buijsen RAM. Therapeutic Strategies for Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13050788. [PMID: 37238658 DOI: 10.3390/biom13050788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder that affects one or two individuals per 100,000. The disease is caused by an extended CAG repeat in exon 8 of the ATXN1 gene and is characterized mostly by a profound loss of cerebellar Purkinje cells, leading to disturbances in coordination, balance, and gait. At present, no curative treatment is available for SCA1. However, increasing knowledge on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of SCA1 has led the way towards several therapeutic strategies that can potentially slow disease progression. SCA1 therapeutics can be classified as genetic, pharmacological, and cell replacement therapies. These different therapeutic strategies target either the (mutant) ATXN1 RNA or the ataxin-1 protein, pathways that play an important role in downstream SCA1 disease mechanisms or which help restore cells that are lost due to SCA1 pathology. In this review, we will provide a summary of the different therapeutic strategies that are currently being investigated for SCA1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie M C Kerkhof
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Dutch Center for RNA Therapeutics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Bart P C van de Warrenburg
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Willeke M C van Roon-Mom
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Dutch Center for RNA Therapeutics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald A M Buijsen
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
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10
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Shen XN, Wu KM, Huang YY, Guo Y, Huang SY, Zhang YR, Chen SF, Wang HF, Zhang W, Cheng W, Cui M, Dong Q, Yu JT. Systematic assessment of plasma biomarkers in spinocerebellar ataxia. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 181:106112. [PMID: 37003406 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Plasma neurofilament light (NfL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), phosphorylated-tau (p-tau), and β-amyloid (Aβ) have emerged as promising markers in several neurodegenerative disorders, but whether they can be used as biomarkers in spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA) is yet to be determined. This study aimed to identify sensitive plasma markers for SCA and investigate their effectiveness in tracking ataxia severity, cognition, non-motor symptoms, and brain atrophy. METHODS This observational study recruited consecutive participants from Huashan Hospital and the CABLE study from November 2019. Patients with SCA were genetically diagnosed, grouped according to the ataxia severity, and compared with healthy older individuals and patients with multiple system atrophy type C (MSA-C). Plasma NfL, GFAP, p-tau, and Aβ levels were measured by Simoa in all participants. Analysis of covariance, Spearman correlation, and multivariable regression were used to explore candidate markers in SCA. RESULTS A total of 190 participants (60 SCA, 56 MSA-C, and 74 healthy controls) were enrolled. Plasma NfL level increased early in the pre-ataxic stage of SCA (32.23 ± 3.07 vs. 11.41 ± 6.62 pg/mL in controls), was positively associated with the ataxia severity (r = 0.45, P = 0.005) and CAG repeat length (r = 0.51, P = 0.001), varied among the different SCA subtypes (39.57 ± 13.50 pg/mL in SCA3, which was higher than 28.17 ± 8.02 pg/mL in SCA2, 17.08 ± 6.78 pg/mL in SCA8, and 24.44 ± 18.97 pg/mL in rare SCAs; P < 0.05), and was associated with brainstem atrophy. NfL alone (area under the curve [AUC] 0.867) or combined with p-tau181 and Aβ (AUC 0.929), showed excellent performance in discriminating SCA patients from controls. Plasma GFAP distinguished SCA from MSA-C with moderate accuracy (AUC > 0.700) and correlated with cognitive performance and cortical atrophy. Changes in levels of p-tau181 and Aβ were observed in SCA patients compared to controls. They were both correlated with cognition, while Aβ was also associated with non-motor symptoms, such as anxiety and depression. DISCUSSION Plasma NfL may serve as a sensitive biomarker for SCA, and its level is elevated in the pre-ataxic stage. The different performance of NfL and GFAP indicates differences in the underlying neuropathology of SCA and MSA-C. Moreover, amyloid markers may be useful for detecting memory dysfunction and other non-motor symptoms in SCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Ning Shen
- Department of Neurology and National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kai-Min Wu
- Department of Neurology and National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Yuan Huang
- Department of Neurology and National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Guo
- Department of Neurology and National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu-Yi Huang
- Department of Neurology and National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya-Ru Zhang
- Department of Neurology and National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu-Fen Chen
- Department of Neurology and National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui-Fu Wang
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Cheng
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China; Fudan ISTBI-ZJNU Algorithm Centre for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
| | - Mei Cui
- Department of Neurology and National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiang Dong
- Department of Neurology and National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin-Tai Yu
- Department of Neurology and National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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11
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Oliveira JBL, Martinez ARM, França MC. Pharmacotherapy for the management of the symptoms of Machado-Joseph Disease. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2022; 23:1687-1694. [PMID: 36254604 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2022.2135432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Machado-Joseph disease or spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3/MJD) is the leading cause of autosomal dominant ataxia worldwide. This is a slowly progressive, but very disabling disorder. Ataxia is the main clinical feature, but additional motor and non-motor manifestations may be found. Many of these manifestations are amenable to pharmacological treatments, which may impact the quality of life of affected subjects. AREAS COVERED Authors review available literature on both disease-modifying and symptomatic pharmacological therapies for SCA3/MJD. Discussion is stratified into motor (ataxic and non-ataxic syndromes) and non-motor manifestations. Ongoing clinical trials and future perspectives are also discussed in the manuscript. EXPERT OPINION Symptomatic treatment is the mainstay of clinical care and should be tailored for each patient with SCA3/MJD. Management of ataxia is still a challenging task, but relief (at least partial) of dystonia, pain/cramps, fatigue, and sleep disorders is an achievable goal for many patients. Even though there are no disease-modifying treatments so far, recent advances in understanding the biology of disease and international collaborations of clinical researchers are now paving the way for a new era where more clinical trials will be available for this devastating disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alberto R M Martinez
- Department of Neurology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
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12
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Scarabino D, Veneziano L, Fiore A, Nethisinghe S, Mantuano E, Garcia-Moreno H, Bellucci G, Solanky N, Morello M, Zanni G, Corbo RM, Giunti P. Leukocyte Telomere Length Variability as a Potential Biomarker in Patients with PolyQ Diseases. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11081436. [PMID: 35892638 PMCID: PMC9332235 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11081436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
SCA1, SCA2, and SCA3 are the most common forms of SCAs among the polyglutamine disorders, which include Huntington’s Disease (HD). We investigated the relationship between leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and the phenotype of SCA1, SCA2, and SCA3, comparing them with HD. The results showed that LTL was significantly reduced in SCA1 and SCA3 patients, while LTL was significantly longer in SCA2 patients. A significant negative relationship between LTL and age was observed in SCA1 but not in SCA2 subjects. LTL of SCA3 patients depend on both patient’s age and disease duration. The number of CAG repeats did not affect LTL in the three SCAs. Since LTL is considered an indirect marker of an inflammatory response and oxidative damage, our data suggest that in SCA1 inflammation is present already at an early stage of disease similar to in HD, while in SCA3 inflammation and impaired antioxidative processes are associated with disease progression. Interestingly, in SCA2, contrary to SCA1 and SCA3, the length of leukocyte telomeres does not reduce with age. We have observed that SCAs and HD show a differing behavior in LTL for each subtype, which could constitute relevant biomarkers if confirmed in larger cohorts and longitudinal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Scarabino
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (D.S.); (L.V.)
| | - Liana Veneziano
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, 00133 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence: (D.S.); (L.V.)
| | - Alessia Fiore
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (A.F.); (R.M.C.)
| | - Suran Nethisinghe
- Ataxia Center, Department of Clinical and Movement Neuroscience, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College, London WC1N 3BG, UK; (S.N.); (H.G.-M.); (N.S.); (P.G.)
| | - Elide Mantuano
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Hector Garcia-Moreno
- Ataxia Center, Department of Clinical and Movement Neuroscience, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College, London WC1N 3BG, UK; (S.N.); (H.G.-M.); (N.S.); (P.G.)
| | - Gianmarco Bellucci
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Centre for Experimental Neurological Therapies (CENTERS), Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Nita Solanky
- Ataxia Center, Department of Clinical and Movement Neuroscience, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College, London WC1N 3BG, UK; (S.N.); (H.G.-M.); (N.S.); (P.G.)
| | - Maria Morello
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Ginevra Zanni
- Unit of Neuromuscolar and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Department of Neurosciences, Bambino Gesù Children’s Research Hospital, IRCCS, 00100 Rome, Italy;
| | - Rosa Maria Corbo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (A.F.); (R.M.C.)
| | - Paola Giunti
- Ataxia Center, Department of Clinical and Movement Neuroscience, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College, London WC1N 3BG, UK; (S.N.); (H.G.-M.); (N.S.); (P.G.)
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13
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Wilke C, Mengel D, Schöls L, Hengel H, Rakowicz M, Klockgether T, Durr A, Filla A, Melegh B, Schüle R, Reetz K, Jacobi H, Synofzik M. Levels of Neurofilament Light at the Preataxic and Ataxic Stages of Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1. Neurology 2022; 98:e1985-e1996. [PMID: 35264424 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000200257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Neurofilament light (NfL) appears to be a promising fluid biomarker in repeat-expansion spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs), with piloting studies in mixed SCA cohorts suggesting that NfL might be increased at the ataxic stage of SCA type 1 (SCA1). We here hypothesized that NfL is increased not only at the ataxic stage of SCA1, but also at its (likely most treatment-relevant) preataxic stage. METHODS We assessed serum NfL (sNfL) and CSF NfL (cNfL) levels in both preataxic and ataxic SCA1, leveraging a multicentric cohort recruited at 6 European university centers, and clinical follow-up data, including actually observed (rather than only predicted) conversion to the ataxic stage. Levels of sNfL and cNfL were assessed by single-molecule array and ELISA technique, respectively. RESULTS Forty individuals with SCA1 (23 preataxic, 17 ataxic) and 89 controls were enrolled, including 11 preataxic individuals converting to the ataxic stage. sNfL levels were increased at the preataxic (median 15.5 pg/mL [interquartile range 10.5-21.1 pg/mL]) and ataxic stage (31.6 pg/mL [26.2-37.7 pg/mL]) compared to controls (6.0 pg/mL [4.7-8.6 pg/mL]), yielding high age-corrected effect sizes (preataxic: r = 0.62, ataxic: r = 0.63). sNfL increases were paralleled by increases of cNfL at both the preataxic and ataxic stage. In preataxic individuals, sNfL levels increased with proximity to predicted ataxia onset, with significant sNfL elevations already 5 years before onset, and confirmed in preataxic individuals with actually observed ataxia onset. sNfL increases were detected already in preataxic individuals with SCA1 without volumetric atrophy of cerebellum or pons, suggesting that sNfL might be more sensitive to early preataxic neurodegeneration than the currently known most change-sensitive regions in volumetric MRI. Using longitudinal sNfL measurements, we estimated sample sizes for clinical trials with the reduction of sNfL as the endpoint. DISCUSSION sNfL levels might provide easily accessible peripheral biomarkers in both preataxic and ataxic SCA1, allowing stratification of preataxic individuals regarding proximity to onset, early detection of neurodegeneration even before volumetric MRI alterations, and potentially capture of treatment response in clinical trials. TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01037777. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE This study provides Class III evidence that NfL levels are increased in both ataxic and preataxic SCA1 and are associated with ataxia onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Wilke
- From the Division Translational Genomics of Neurodegenerative Diseases (C.W., D.M., M.S.) and Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases (L.S., H.H., R.S.), Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Center of Neurology, University of Tübingen; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (C.W., D.M., L.S., H.H., R.S., M.S.), Tübingen, Germany; First Department of Neurology (M.R.), Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland; Department of Neurology (T.K.), University Hospital Bonn; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (T.K., H.J.), Bonn, Germany; Sorbonne Université (A.D.), Paris Brain Institute, APHP, INSERM, CNRS, France; Department of Neuroscience and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences (A.F.), Federico II University Naples, Italy; Department of Medical Genetics and Szentagothai Research Center (B.M.), University of Pécs Medical School, Hungary; Department of Neurology (K.R.), RWTH Aachen University; JARA-BRAIN Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging (K.R.), Forschungszentrum Jülich, RWTH Aachen; and Department of Neurology (H.J.), University Hospital of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - David Mengel
- From the Division Translational Genomics of Neurodegenerative Diseases (C.W., D.M., M.S.) and Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases (L.S., H.H., R.S.), Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Center of Neurology, University of Tübingen; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (C.W., D.M., L.S., H.H., R.S., M.S.), Tübingen, Germany; First Department of Neurology (M.R.), Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland; Department of Neurology (T.K.), University Hospital Bonn; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (T.K., H.J.), Bonn, Germany; Sorbonne Université (A.D.), Paris Brain Institute, APHP, INSERM, CNRS, France; Department of Neuroscience and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences (A.F.), Federico II University Naples, Italy; Department of Medical Genetics and Szentagothai Research Center (B.M.), University of Pécs Medical School, Hungary; Department of Neurology (K.R.), RWTH Aachen University; JARA-BRAIN Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging (K.R.), Forschungszentrum Jülich, RWTH Aachen; and Department of Neurology (H.J.), University Hospital of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ludger Schöls
- From the Division Translational Genomics of Neurodegenerative Diseases (C.W., D.M., M.S.) and Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases (L.S., H.H., R.S.), Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Center of Neurology, University of Tübingen; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (C.W., D.M., L.S., H.H., R.S., M.S.), Tübingen, Germany; First Department of Neurology (M.R.), Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland; Department of Neurology (T.K.), University Hospital Bonn; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (T.K., H.J.), Bonn, Germany; Sorbonne Université (A.D.), Paris Brain Institute, APHP, INSERM, CNRS, France; Department of Neuroscience and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences (A.F.), Federico II University Naples, Italy; Department of Medical Genetics and Szentagothai Research Center (B.M.), University of Pécs Medical School, Hungary; Department of Neurology (K.R.), RWTH Aachen University; JARA-BRAIN Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging (K.R.), Forschungszentrum Jülich, RWTH Aachen; and Department of Neurology (H.J.), University Hospital of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Holger Hengel
- From the Division Translational Genomics of Neurodegenerative Diseases (C.W., D.M., M.S.) and Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases (L.S., H.H., R.S.), Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Center of Neurology, University of Tübingen; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (C.W., D.M., L.S., H.H., R.S., M.S.), Tübingen, Germany; First Department of Neurology (M.R.), Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland; Department of Neurology (T.K.), University Hospital Bonn; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (T.K., H.J.), Bonn, Germany; Sorbonne Université (A.D.), Paris Brain Institute, APHP, INSERM, CNRS, France; Department of Neuroscience and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences (A.F.), Federico II University Naples, Italy; Department of Medical Genetics and Szentagothai Research Center (B.M.), University of Pécs Medical School, Hungary; Department of Neurology (K.R.), RWTH Aachen University; JARA-BRAIN Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging (K.R.), Forschungszentrum Jülich, RWTH Aachen; and Department of Neurology (H.J.), University Hospital of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maria Rakowicz
- From the Division Translational Genomics of Neurodegenerative Diseases (C.W., D.M., M.S.) and Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases (L.S., H.H., R.S.), Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Center of Neurology, University of Tübingen; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (C.W., D.M., L.S., H.H., R.S., M.S.), Tübingen, Germany; First Department of Neurology (M.R.), Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland; Department of Neurology (T.K.), University Hospital Bonn; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (T.K., H.J.), Bonn, Germany; Sorbonne Université (A.D.), Paris Brain Institute, APHP, INSERM, CNRS, France; Department of Neuroscience and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences (A.F.), Federico II University Naples, Italy; Department of Medical Genetics and Szentagothai Research Center (B.M.), University of Pécs Medical School, Hungary; Department of Neurology (K.R.), RWTH Aachen University; JARA-BRAIN Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging (K.R.), Forschungszentrum Jülich, RWTH Aachen; and Department of Neurology (H.J.), University Hospital of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Klockgether
- From the Division Translational Genomics of Neurodegenerative Diseases (C.W., D.M., M.S.) and Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases (L.S., H.H., R.S.), Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Center of Neurology, University of Tübingen; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (C.W., D.M., L.S., H.H., R.S., M.S.), Tübingen, Germany; First Department of Neurology (M.R.), Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland; Department of Neurology (T.K.), University Hospital Bonn; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (T.K., H.J.), Bonn, Germany; Sorbonne Université (A.D.), Paris Brain Institute, APHP, INSERM, CNRS, France; Department of Neuroscience and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences (A.F.), Federico II University Naples, Italy; Department of Medical Genetics and Szentagothai Research Center (B.M.), University of Pécs Medical School, Hungary; Department of Neurology (K.R.), RWTH Aachen University; JARA-BRAIN Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging (K.R.), Forschungszentrum Jülich, RWTH Aachen; and Department of Neurology (H.J.), University Hospital of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alexandra Durr
- From the Division Translational Genomics of Neurodegenerative Diseases (C.W., D.M., M.S.) and Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases (L.S., H.H., R.S.), Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Center of Neurology, University of Tübingen; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (C.W., D.M., L.S., H.H., R.S., M.S.), Tübingen, Germany; First Department of Neurology (M.R.), Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland; Department of Neurology (T.K.), University Hospital Bonn; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (T.K., H.J.), Bonn, Germany; Sorbonne Université (A.D.), Paris Brain Institute, APHP, INSERM, CNRS, France; Department of Neuroscience and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences (A.F.), Federico II University Naples, Italy; Department of Medical Genetics and Szentagothai Research Center (B.M.), University of Pécs Medical School, Hungary; Department of Neurology (K.R.), RWTH Aachen University; JARA-BRAIN Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging (K.R.), Forschungszentrum Jülich, RWTH Aachen; and Department of Neurology (H.J.), University Hospital of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alessandro Filla
- From the Division Translational Genomics of Neurodegenerative Diseases (C.W., D.M., M.S.) and Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases (L.S., H.H., R.S.), Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Center of Neurology, University of Tübingen; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (C.W., D.M., L.S., H.H., R.S., M.S.), Tübingen, Germany; First Department of Neurology (M.R.), Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland; Department of Neurology (T.K.), University Hospital Bonn; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (T.K., H.J.), Bonn, Germany; Sorbonne Université (A.D.), Paris Brain Institute, APHP, INSERM, CNRS, France; Department of Neuroscience and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences (A.F.), Federico II University Naples, Italy; Department of Medical Genetics and Szentagothai Research Center (B.M.), University of Pécs Medical School, Hungary; Department of Neurology (K.R.), RWTH Aachen University; JARA-BRAIN Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging (K.R.), Forschungszentrum Jülich, RWTH Aachen; and Department of Neurology (H.J.), University Hospital of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bela Melegh
- From the Division Translational Genomics of Neurodegenerative Diseases (C.W., D.M., M.S.) and Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases (L.S., H.H., R.S.), Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Center of Neurology, University of Tübingen; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (C.W., D.M., L.S., H.H., R.S., M.S.), Tübingen, Germany; First Department of Neurology (M.R.), Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland; Department of Neurology (T.K.), University Hospital Bonn; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (T.K., H.J.), Bonn, Germany; Sorbonne Université (A.D.), Paris Brain Institute, APHP, INSERM, CNRS, France; Department of Neuroscience and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences (A.F.), Federico II University Naples, Italy; Department of Medical Genetics and Szentagothai Research Center (B.M.), University of Pécs Medical School, Hungary; Department of Neurology (K.R.), RWTH Aachen University; JARA-BRAIN Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging (K.R.), Forschungszentrum Jülich, RWTH Aachen; and Department of Neurology (H.J.), University Hospital of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rebecca Schüle
- From the Division Translational Genomics of Neurodegenerative Diseases (C.W., D.M., M.S.) and Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases (L.S., H.H., R.S.), Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Center of Neurology, University of Tübingen; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (C.W., D.M., L.S., H.H., R.S., M.S.), Tübingen, Germany; First Department of Neurology (M.R.), Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland; Department of Neurology (T.K.), University Hospital Bonn; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (T.K., H.J.), Bonn, Germany; Sorbonne Université (A.D.), Paris Brain Institute, APHP, INSERM, CNRS, France; Department of Neuroscience and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences (A.F.), Federico II University Naples, Italy; Department of Medical Genetics and Szentagothai Research Center (B.M.), University of Pécs Medical School, Hungary; Department of Neurology (K.R.), RWTH Aachen University; JARA-BRAIN Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging (K.R.), Forschungszentrum Jülich, RWTH Aachen; and Department of Neurology (H.J.), University Hospital of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kathrin Reetz
- From the Division Translational Genomics of Neurodegenerative Diseases (C.W., D.M., M.S.) and Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases (L.S., H.H., R.S.), Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Center of Neurology, University of Tübingen; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (C.W., D.M., L.S., H.H., R.S., M.S.), Tübingen, Germany; First Department of Neurology (M.R.), Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland; Department of Neurology (T.K.), University Hospital Bonn; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (T.K., H.J.), Bonn, Germany; Sorbonne Université (A.D.), Paris Brain Institute, APHP, INSERM, CNRS, France; Department of Neuroscience and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences (A.F.), Federico II University Naples, Italy; Department of Medical Genetics and Szentagothai Research Center (B.M.), University of Pécs Medical School, Hungary; Department of Neurology (K.R.), RWTH Aachen University; JARA-BRAIN Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging (K.R.), Forschungszentrum Jülich, RWTH Aachen; and Department of Neurology (H.J.), University Hospital of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Heike Jacobi
- From the Division Translational Genomics of Neurodegenerative Diseases (C.W., D.M., M.S.) and Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases (L.S., H.H., R.S.), Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Center of Neurology, University of Tübingen; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (C.W., D.M., L.S., H.H., R.S., M.S.), Tübingen, Germany; First Department of Neurology (M.R.), Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland; Department of Neurology (T.K.), University Hospital Bonn; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (T.K., H.J.), Bonn, Germany; Sorbonne Université (A.D.), Paris Brain Institute, APHP, INSERM, CNRS, France; Department of Neuroscience and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences (A.F.), Federico II University Naples, Italy; Department of Medical Genetics and Szentagothai Research Center (B.M.), University of Pécs Medical School, Hungary; Department of Neurology (K.R.), RWTH Aachen University; JARA-BRAIN Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging (K.R.), Forschungszentrum Jülich, RWTH Aachen; and Department of Neurology (H.J.), University Hospital of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthis Synofzik
- From the Division Translational Genomics of Neurodegenerative Diseases (C.W., D.M., M.S.) and Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases (L.S., H.H., R.S.), Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Center of Neurology, University of Tübingen; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (C.W., D.M., L.S., H.H., R.S., M.S.), Tübingen, Germany; First Department of Neurology (M.R.), Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland; Department of Neurology (T.K.), University Hospital Bonn; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (T.K., H.J.), Bonn, Germany; Sorbonne Université (A.D.), Paris Brain Institute, APHP, INSERM, CNRS, France; Department of Neuroscience and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences (A.F.), Federico II University Naples, Italy; Department of Medical Genetics and Szentagothai Research Center (B.M.), University of Pécs Medical School, Hungary; Department of Neurology (K.R.), RWTH Aachen University; JARA-BRAIN Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging (K.R.), Forschungszentrum Jülich, RWTH Aachen; and Department of Neurology (H.J.), University Hospital of Heidelberg, Germany
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14
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Abstract
Internet-connected devices, including personal computers, smartphones, smartwatches, and voice assistants, have evolved into powerful multisensor technologies that billions of people interact with daily to connect with friends and colleagues, access and share information, purchase goods, play games, and navigate their environment. Digital phenotyping taps into the data streams captured by these devices to characterize and understand health and disease. The purpose of this article is to summarize opportunities for digital phenotyping in neurology, review studies using everyday technologies to obtain motor and cognitive information, and provide a perspective on how neurologists can embrace and accelerate progress in this emerging field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anoopum S. Gupta
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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15
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Ghanekar SD, Kuo SH, Staffetti JS, Zesiewicz TA. Current and Emerging Treatment Modalities for Spinocerebellar Ataxias. Expert Rev Neurother 2022; 22:101-114. [PMID: 35081319 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2022.2029703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA) are a group of rare neurodegenerative diseases that dramatically affect the lives of affected individuals and their families. Despite having a clear understanding of SCA's etiology, there are no current symptomatic or neuroprotective treatments approved by the FDA. AREAS COVERED Research efforts have greatly expanded the possibilities for potential treatments, including both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Great attention is also being given to novel therapeutics based in gene therapy, neurostimulation, and molecular targeting. This review article will address the current advances in the treatment of SCA and what potential interventions are on the horizon. EXPERT OPINION SCA is a highly complex and multifaceted disease family with the majority of research emphasizing symptomatic pharmacologic therapies. As pre-clinical trials for SCA and clinical trials for other neurodegenerative conditions illuminate the efficacy of disease modifying therapies such as AAV-mediated gene therapy and ASOs, the potential for addressing SCA at the pre-symptomatic stage is increasingly promising.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaila D Ghanekar
- University of South Florida (USF) Department of Neurology, USF Ataxia Research Center, Tampa, Florida, USA.,James A Haley Veteran's Hospital, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Sheng-Han Kuo
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.,Initiative for Columbia Ataxia and Tremor, New York, New York, USA
| | - Joseph S Staffetti
- University of South Florida (USF) Department of Neurology, USF Ataxia Research Center, Tampa, Florida, USA.,James A Haley Veteran's Hospital, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Theresa A Zesiewicz
- University of South Florida (USF) Department of Neurology, USF Ataxia Research Center, Tampa, Florida, USA.,James A Haley Veteran's Hospital, Tampa, Florida, USA
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16
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Borbolla-Jiménez FV, Del Prado-Audelo ML, Cisneros B, Caballero-Florán IH, Leyva-Gómez G, Magaña JJ. New Perspectives of Gene Therapy on Polyglutamine Spinocerebellar Ataxias: From Molecular Targets to Novel Nanovectors. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:1018. [PMID: 34371710 PMCID: PMC8309146 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13071018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Seven of the most frequent spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are caused by a pathological expansion of a cytosine, adenine and guanine (CAG) trinucleotide repeat located in exonic regions of unrelated genes, which in turn leads to the synthesis of polyglutamine (polyQ) proteins. PolyQ proteins are prone to aggregate and form intracellular inclusions, which alter diverse cellular pathways, including transcriptional regulation, protein clearance, calcium homeostasis and apoptosis, ultimately leading to neurodegeneration. At present, treatment for SCAs is limited to symptomatic intervention, and there is no therapeutic approach to prevent or reverse disease progression. This review provides a compilation of the experimental advances obtained in cell-based and animal models toward the development of gene therapy strategies against polyQ SCAs, providing a discussion of their potential application in clinical trials. In the second part, we describe the promising potential of nanotechnology developments to treat polyQ SCA diseases. We describe, in detail, how the design of nanoparticle (NP) systems with different physicochemical and functionalization characteristics has been approached, in order to determine their ability to evade the immune system response and to enhance brain delivery of molecular tools. In the final part of this review, the imminent application of NP-based strategies in clinical trials for the treatment of polyQ SCA diseases is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola V. Borbolla-Jiménez
- Laboratorio de Medicina Genómica, Departamento de Genética, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación-Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra, Ciudad de México 14389, Mexico;
- Programa de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - María Luisa Del Prado-Audelo
- Departamento de Bioingeniería, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey Campus Ciudad de México, Ciudad de México 14380, Mexico;
| | - Bulmaro Cisneros
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV), Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico;
| | - Isaac H. Caballero-Florán
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico;
- Departamento de Farmacia, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV), Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico
| | - Gerardo Leyva-Gómez
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico;
| | - Jonathan J. Magaña
- Laboratorio de Medicina Genómica, Departamento de Genética, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación-Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra, Ciudad de México 14389, Mexico;
- Departamento de Bioingeniería, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey Campus Ciudad de México, Ciudad de México 14380, Mexico;
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17
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Brooker SM, Edamakanti CR, Akasha SM, Kuo SH, Opal P. Spinocerebellar ataxia clinical trials: opportunities and challenges. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2021; 8:1543-1556. [PMID: 34019331 PMCID: PMC8283160 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a group of dominantly inherited diseases that share the defining feature of progressive cerebellar ataxia. The disease process, however, is not confined to the cerebellum; other areas of the brain, in particular, the brainstem, are also affected, resulting in a high burden of morbidity and mortality. Currently, there are no disease‐modifying treatments for the SCAs, but preclinical research has led to the development of therapeutic agents ripe for testing in patients. Unfortunately, due to the rarity of these diseases and their slow and variable progression, there are substantial hurdles to overcome in conducting clinical trials. While the epidemiological features of the SCAs are immutable, the feasibility of conducting clinical trials is being addressed through a combination of strategies. These include improvements in clinical outcome measures, the identification of imaging and fluid biomarkers, and innovations in clinical trial design. In this review, we highlight current challenges in initiating clinical trials for the SCAs and also discuss pathways for researchers and clinicians to mitigate these challenges and harness opportunities for clinical trial development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Brooker
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Sara M Akasha
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Sheng-Han Kuo
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.,Initiative for Columbia Ataxia and Tremor, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Puneet Opal
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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18
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Chen ML, Lin CC, Rosenthal LS, Opal P, Kuo SH. Rating scales and biomarkers for CAG-repeat spinocerebellar ataxias: Implications for therapy development. J Neurol Sci 2021; 424:117417. [PMID: 33836316 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2021.117417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a group of dominantly-inherited cerebellar ataxias, among which CAG expansion-related SCAs are most common. These diseases have very high penetrance with defined disease progression, and emerging therapies are being developed to provide either symptomatic or disease-modifying benefits. In clinical trial design, it is crucial to incorporate biomarkers to test target engagement or track disease progression in response to therapies, especially in rare diseases such as SCAs. In this article, we review the available rating scales and recent advances of biomarkers in CAG-repeat SCAs. We divided biomarkers into neuroimaging, body fluid, and physiological studies. Understanding the utility of each biomarker will facilitate the design of robust clinical trials to advance therapies for SCAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Ling Chen
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Initiative for Columbia Ataxia and Tremor, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chih-Chun Lin
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Initiative for Columbia Ataxia and Tremor, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Liana S Rosenthal
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Puneet Opal
- Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sheng-Han Kuo
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Initiative for Columbia Ataxia and Tremor, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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19
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Yahia A, Stevanin G. The History of Gene Hunting in Hereditary Spinocerebellar Degeneration: Lessons From the Past and Future Perspectives. Front Genet 2021; 12:638730. [PMID: 33833777 PMCID: PMC8021710 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.638730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Hereditary spinocerebellar degeneration (SCD) encompasses an expanding list of rare diseases with a broad clinical and genetic heterogeneity, complicating their diagnosis and management in daily clinical practice. Correct diagnosis is a pillar for precision medicine, a branch of medicine that promises to flourish with the progressive improvements in studying the human genome. Discovering the genes causing novel Mendelian phenotypes contributes to precision medicine by diagnosing subsets of patients with previously undiagnosed conditions, guiding the management of these patients and their families, and enabling the discovery of more causes of Mendelian diseases. This new knowledge provides insight into the biological processes involved in health and disease, including the more common complex disorders. This review discusses the evolution of the clinical and genetic approaches used to diagnose hereditary SCD and the potential of new tools for future discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashraf Yahia
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, National University, Khartoum, Sudan
- Institut du Cerveau, INSERM U1127, CNRS UMR7225, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, EPHE, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Giovanni Stevanin
- Institut du Cerveau, INSERM U1127, CNRS UMR7225, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, EPHE, PSL Research University, Paris, France
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