New brain scans could reveal hidden clues in rare nerve disease
NCT ID NCT07635030
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study uses special brain scans (MRS) to measure two natural chemicals, GABA and glutathione, in people with Friedreich's Ataxia (FRDA). Researchers want to see if these chemicals can serve as reliable markers of the disease and how they change after taking the drug Omaveloxolone. About 60 participants, ages 8 to 16, will have up to three scans over at least six months. The goal is to better understand FRDA and improve future treatment monitoring.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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About 60 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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May 2024
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2030
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
FRDA patients ranging from ages 8 to 16 years old who are naive to Omaveloxolone.
- Ages
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8 to 16 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥ 8 years; \<16 years * Written informed consent provided * Balletic Guanine-adenine-adenine (GAA) trinucleotide repeat length \> 55 in intron 1 of Frataxin (FXN) and/or GAA repeat length \> 55 in intron 1 of FXN in one allele and another type of mutation that is inferred to cause loss of function in the second FXN allele as documented in the medical record * Friedreich's Ataxia Rating Scale (FARS) Functional staging score of ≤ 5\^ and total modified Friedreich's Ataxia Rating Scale (mFARS) score of ≤ 65 on enrolment Exclusion Criteria: * Age \< 8 years \> 16 years * Acute or ongoing medical or other conditions that is deemed to interfere with the conduct and assessments of the study * Other psychiatric or neurologic conditions apart from FRDA that, in the opinion of the Site Investigator, would interfere with the conduct and assessments of the study * MR contraindications (e.g., pacemaker or other metallic surgical implants) * Presence of metallic dental braces * Currently pregnant participants * Confined to wheelchair or bed with total dependency for all activities of daily living. Total disability. * Unable to understand English instruction
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
The full official record for this study. This one lists no contact details, but it is the first place any would appear.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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