Can a supplement and exercise improve stamina in Friedreich's ataxia?
NCT ID NCT04192136
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looked at whether taking an NAD+ precursor (a vitamin-like supplement) along with exercise training can improve aerobic capacity (how well the body uses oxygen during exercise) in people with Friedreich's ataxia. The trial included 75 participants aged 10 to 40. Researchers measured changes in peak oxygen uptake and insulin sensitivity to see if the combination helps.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
75 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Sep 2020
- Finished
-
Oct 2025
- Lead sponsor
-
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.
- Ages
-
10 to 40 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
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: 1. Molecular diagnosis of Friedrich's Ataxia (FA). 2. Males and Females, Age 10 to 40 years (inclusive). 3. Girls, 11 years of age and older, must have a negative urine/serum pregnancy test and must use an acceptable method of contraception, including abstinence, a barrier method (diaphragm or condom), Depo-Provera, or an oral contraceptive, for the duration of the study. 4. Not currently meeting exercise guidelines as outlined by The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. * Children and Adolescents should do 60 minutes (1 hour) or more of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily. * As a part of their physical activity, children and adolescents should include muscle-strengthening physical activity on at least 3 days a week. * Adults should do at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) to 300 minutes (5 hours) a week of moderate-intensity, or 75 minutes (1 hour and 15 minutes) to 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity. * Adults should also do muscle-strengthening activities of moderate or greater intensity that involve all major muscle groups on 2 or more days a week. 5. Cardiac echocardiogram or cardiac MRI, performed within 1 year of enrollment, showing an LVEF \> 45% 6. ECG, performed within 1 year of enrollment, without clinically significant arrhythmia. 7. Weight \> 24 kg 8. Parental/guardian permission (informed consent) and if appropriate, child assent. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Known sensitivity to NR. 2. Concurrent use of any medications, including statins, likely to increase risk of NR toxicity. 3. HgbA1c \> 8.5% and/or Diabetes Mellitus (DM) requiring insulin or insulin secretagogue. 4. Use of supraphysiologic steroids. 5. Laboratory abnormalities that indicate clinically significant anemia or bleeding risk. (Hemoglobin \< 10 g/dL or Platelets \< 100K) 6. Laboratory abnormalities that indicate clinically significant kidney disease using serum creatinine and Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation. (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) \< 60 ml/min/1.73 m2) 7. Laboratory abnormalities that indicate clinically significant liver disease. (Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)/Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (SGOT) 3.0 x Upper Limit of Normal and/or Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)/Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT) 3.0 x Upper Limit of Normal) 8. Uncontrolled and persistent arrhythmias that are felt to be clinically significant. 9. Known history of moderate or severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction (Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) \< 45%) 10. Standard contraindications to exercise testing. 11. Inability to sit and pedal unassisted in a cycle ergometry chair, at a cadence of at least 55 rotations per minute (rpm) during unloaded warm up, in a cycle ergometry chair and complete a maximal Cardio Pulmonary Exercise Test (CPET) 12. Inability to sit and pedal unassisted in a recumbent tricycle. 13. Any contraindication to MRI. Including: * Any intra-luminal implant, filter, stent or valve replacement * Any type of life assist device, pump, or prosthetic * Any vascular clip or clamp * Any surgically placed clips or clamps or bands on visceral organs * Any intracranial implants of any type other than dental fillings * Any non-removable piercings, jewelry, or medicinal patch * Any personal history of intraocular injury or fragment in or around the orbit that cannot be cleared through radiologic examination. * Any personal history of bullet, shrapnel, or stabbing wounds that cannot be cleared through radiologic evaluation. * Inability to lie flat in the MRI scanner for 60-90 minutes. * participants who cannot complete the MRI will not be excluded from participation in the remainder of the study procedures if they meet those inclusion and exclusion criteria 14. Use of any investigational agent within 4 weeks of enrollment, except open-label extension phase. 15. Females: pregnant, lactating, or planning to become pregnant during their participation. 16. Any medical condition, in the opinion of the investigator that will interfere with the safe completion of the study. 17. Parents/guardians or participants who, in the opinion of the Investigator, may be non-compliant with study schedules or procedures.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Friedreich ataxia 1 are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can a missing protein be replaced to slow Friedreich's ataxia?
- Can advanced heart scans predict the biggest killer in Friedreich's ataxia?
- Experimental drug aims to halt rare neurological decline
- New brain scans could reveal hidden clues in rare nerve disease
- Genetic clues may predict when Friedreich's ataxia begins
- Exercise and drug combo may fight fatigue in rare disease