Table 2.
Recent trials of drugs for symptomatic improvement of ataxia
| Study | Patients, (number) | Drug, daily dose | Design | Duration | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tsunemi et al. 2010 | Mixed,(15) | 3,4 DAP, 40 mg | OL | 1 week | Improved DBN by oculomotor studies, no change in sway or ICARS score |
| Ristori et al. 2010 | Mixed, (40) | Riluzole 100 mg | RDBPC | 8 weeks | Significant improvement in ICARS by 7 points |
| Velasquez‐Perez et al. 2011 | SCA 2, (36) | Zinc 50 mg | RDBPC | 6 months | No significant improvement in SARA |
| Schinepp 2012 | Mixed, (31) | 4‐AP, 15 mg | Observational | 2–4 h | Improved gait speed and gait variability using gait recording |
| Zesiewicz et al. 2012 | SCA 3, (20) | Varenicline, 2 mg | RDBPC | 4 weeks | Significant improvement in SARA |
| Strupp et al. 2013 | Mixed,(13) | Acetyl‐DL‐Leucine 5 gm | OL | 1 week | Improved SARA by over 3 points, SCAFI |
| Giordano 2013 | Mixed,(16) | 4‐AP‐SR | Observational | 2 weeks | Some improvement in gait, speech |
| Romano et al. 2015 | SCA, FA, (55) | Riluzole 100 mg | RDBPC | 12 months | More improved SARA score in treated group; improved SARA score |
SARA, scale for assessment and rating of ataxia; ICARS, International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale. OL, open label; RDBPC, randomized double blind placebo‐controlled; SCA, spinocerebellar ataxia; FA, Friedreich's ataxia.