Special oil may curb paralytic attacks in rare childhood disease
NCT ID NCT02408354
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This pilot study tested whether triheptanoin oil, a special fat taken by mouth, can reduce the number of sudden paralytic attacks in children with Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood (AHC), a rare genetic disorder. Ten participants aged 15 and older with confirmed ATP1A3 mutations were given either triheptanoin or a placebo in a crossover design. The main goal was to count neurological attacks recorded in patient diaries over 28 weeks.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- triheptanoin oil (a special fat taken by mouth)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a treatment to reduce the frequency and severity of paralytic episodes in children with Alternating Hemiplegia.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small pilot study with only 10 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The treatment may not reduce attacks or could cause side effects like stomach upset.
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
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
-
10 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Mar 2015
- Finished
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Apr 2017
- Lead sponsor
-
A government agency
The lead sponsor is a government body.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
15 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * AHC with mutation in ATP1A3 gene * Age ≥ 15 years and 3 months * ≥ 6 neurological paroxystic events during the last 3 months prior to the beginning of the study * No specific diet * Covered by french social security * Patients who freely agree to participate in this study and understand the nature, risks and benefits of this study and give their written informed consent. (In addition to the requirement for the consent of parents or the legal representative, adolescents can provide additional informed consent to participate in clinical trials) Exclusion Criteria: * Age \< 15 years and 3 months * Evidence of psychiatric disorder * Comorbid medical condition that would render them unsuitable for the study, e.g. HIV, diabetes * Pregnant or parturient or lactating women * Absence of double effective contraception at the women old enough to procreate * Unwillingness to be informed in case of abnormal MRI * Absence of signed informed consent * No covered by french social security * Persons deprived of their liberty by judicial or administrative decision * Person subject to an exclusion period for another research * Subjects with exclusion criteria required by french law
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Groupe hospitalier Pitié Salpêtrière
Paris, 75013, France
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.