title: A controlled study of oral vigabatrin (gamma-vinyl GABA) in patients with cerebellar ataxia.
abstract: Vigabatrin (gamma-vinyl GABA; GVG), an irreversible inhibitor of GABA-transaminase, at a daily dose of 2-4 g, and a placebo were each administered orally for 4 months to 14 patients with cerebellar ataxia (9 with Friedreich's ataxia, 5 with olivopontocerebellar atrophy), in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. For the group as a whole, there was no significant difference between the GVG and placebo periods in any of the parameters of cerebellar symptomatology measured. Individually, one patient showed some improvement after 3 months of treatment with 2 g/day GVG. Tolerance to 4 g/day GVG was poor, whereas 2 g/day was well tolerated. The results suggest that agents which increase central GABA concentrations are not likely to be of benefit to patients with Friedreich's ataxia or olivopontocerebellar atrophy.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bonnet
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Esteguy
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tell
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Schechter
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hardenberg
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Agid
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000614:Aminocaproates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005621:Friedreich Ataxia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009849:Olivopontocerebellar Atrophies / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011897:Random Allocation; D013132:Spinocerebellar Degenerations / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020888:Vigabatrin
chemical_list: D000614:Aminocaproates; D020888:Vigabatrin