title: Riluzole in patients with hereditary cerebellar ataxia: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Our previous study in patients with cerebellar ataxias of different causes showed significant benefit of riluzole after 8 weeks. We aimed to confirm these results in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia or Friedreich's ataxia in a 1-year trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with spinocerebellar ataxia or Friedreich's ataxia (2:1 ratio) from three Italian neurogenetic units were enrolled in this multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, and randomly assigned to riluzole (50 mg orally, twice daily) or placebo for 12 months. The randomisation list was computer-generated and a centralised randomisation system was implemented. Participants and assessing neurologists were masked to treatment allocation. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with improved Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) score (a drop of at least one point) at 12 months. An intention-to-treat analysis was done. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01104649.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between May 22, 2010, and Feb 25, 2013, 60 patients were enrolled. Two patients in the riluzole group and three in the placebo group withdrew their consent before receiving treatment, so the intention-to-treat analysis was done on 55 patients (19 with spinocerebellar ataxia and nine with Friedreich's ataxia in the riluzole group, and 19 with spinocerebellar ataxia and eight with Friedreich's ataxia in the placebo group). The proportion with decreased SARA score was 14 (50%) of 28 patients in the riluzole group versus three (11%) of 27 in the placebo group (OR 8·00, 95% CI 1·95-32·83; p=0·002). No severe adverse events were recorded. In the riluzole group, two patients had an increase in liver enzymes (less than two times above normal limits). In two participants in the riluzole group and two participants in the placebo group, sporadic mild adverse events were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings lend support to the idea that riluzole could be a treatment for cerebellar ataxia. Longer studies and disease-specific trials are needed to confirm whether these findings can be applied in clinical practice.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco.
authors: Center for Experimental Neurological Therapies, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Romano
authors: Center for Experimental Neurological Therapies, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Giulia
authors: G
authors: Coarelli
authors: Department of Medical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Marcotulli
authors: Department of Medical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Leonardi
authors: Department of Medical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Piccolo
authors: National Research Council, Institute of Translational Pharmacology, Rome, Italy.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Spadaro
authors: National Research Council, Institute of Translational Pharmacology, Rome, Italy.
authors: Marina
authors: M
authors: Frontali
authors: Center for Experimental Neurological Therapies, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Michela
authors: M
authors: Ferraldeschi
authors: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Maria Chiara
authors: MC
authors: Vulpiani
authors: Center for Experimental Neurological Therapies, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Federica
authors: F
authors: Ponzelli
authors: Center for Experimental Neurological Therapies, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: marco.salvetti@uniroma1.it.
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Salvetti
authors: Center for Experimental Neurological Therapies, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Orzi
authors: Neuromuscular and Neurological Rare Diseases Center ASO San Camillo-Forlanini, Rome, Italy.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Petrucci
authors: National Centre of Epidemiology, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.
authors: Nicola
authors: N
authors: Vanacore
authors: Department of Medical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Carlo
authors: C
authors: Casali
authors: Center for Experimental Neurological Therapies, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: giovanni.ristori@uniroma1.it.
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Ristori
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005621:Friedreich Ataxia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019782:Riluzole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020754:Spinocerebellar Ataxias / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D019782:Riluzole