Ataxia, Imaging, and Exercise Disease Using MRI and Gait Analysis
| Status: | Not yet recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Neurology |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Neurology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - Any |
| Updated: | 10/12/2018 |
| Start Date: | June 2019 |
| End Date: | July 2021 |
| Contact: | Scott Barbuto, MD PhD |
| Email: | sb3779@cumc.columbia.edu |
| Phone: | 212-305-2105 |
Effects of Aerobic Exercise Verse Balance Training on Degenerative Cerebellar Disease Using MRI and Gait Analysis
The first aim is to show balance training improves DCD individual's ability to compensate for
their activity limitations, but does not impact disease progression.
The second aim is to demonstrate aerobic exercise improves balance and gait in DCD persons by
affecting brain processes and slowing cerebellar atrophy.
their activity limitations, but does not impact disease progression.
The second aim is to demonstrate aerobic exercise improves balance and gait in DCD persons by
affecting brain processes and slowing cerebellar atrophy.
Individuals with degenerative cerebellar disease (DCD) exhibit gradual loss of coordination
resulting in impaired balance, gait deviations, and severe, progressive disability. With no
available disease-modifying medications, balance training is the primary treatment option to
improve motor skills and functional performance. There is no evidence, however, that balance
training impacts DCD at the tissue level.
Aerobic training, on the other hand, may modify DCD progression as evident from animal data.
Compared to sedentary controls, aerobically trained DCD rats have enhanced lifespan, motor
function, and cerebellar Purkinje cell survival. Numerous animal studies also document that
aerobic training has a direct, favorable effect on the brain that includes production of
neurotrophic hormones, enhancement of neuroplasticity mechanisms, and protection from
neurotoxins.
The effects of aerobic training in humans with DCD are relatively unknown, despite these
encouraging animal data. A single study to date has evaluated the benefits of aerobic
exercise on DCD in humans, and this was a secondary outcome of the study. Although
participants performed limited aerobic training during the study, modest functional benefits
were still detected.
The main objective of this project will be to compare the benefits of aerobic versus balance
training in DCD. We hypothesize that both aerobic and balance training will improve function
in DCD subjects, but that the mechanisms in which these improvements occur differ. 1) Balance
training improves DCD individual's ability to compensate for their activity limitations, but
does not impact disease progression. 2) Aerobic exercise improves balance and gait in DCD
persons by affecting brain processes and slowing cerebellar atrophy.
resulting in impaired balance, gait deviations, and severe, progressive disability. With no
available disease-modifying medications, balance training is the primary treatment option to
improve motor skills and functional performance. There is no evidence, however, that balance
training impacts DCD at the tissue level.
Aerobic training, on the other hand, may modify DCD progression as evident from animal data.
Compared to sedentary controls, aerobically trained DCD rats have enhanced lifespan, motor
function, and cerebellar Purkinje cell survival. Numerous animal studies also document that
aerobic training has a direct, favorable effect on the brain that includes production of
neurotrophic hormones, enhancement of neuroplasticity mechanisms, and protection from
neurotoxins.
The effects of aerobic training in humans with DCD are relatively unknown, despite these
encouraging animal data. A single study to date has evaluated the benefits of aerobic
exercise on DCD in humans, and this was a secondary outcome of the study. Although
participants performed limited aerobic training during the study, modest functional benefits
were still detected.
The main objective of this project will be to compare the benefits of aerobic versus balance
training in DCD. We hypothesize that both aerobic and balance training will improve function
in DCD subjects, but that the mechanisms in which these improvements occur differ. 1) Balance
training improves DCD individual's ability to compensate for their activity limitations, but
does not impact disease progression. 2) Aerobic exercise improves balance and gait in DCD
persons by affecting brain processes and slowing cerebellar atrophy.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosed with spinocerebellar ataxia
- Cerebellar atrophy on MRI
- Prevalence of ataxia on clinical exam
- Ability to safely ride a stationary exercise bike
Exclusion Criteria:
- Other neurologic conditions
- Heart disease
- Cognitive impairment
- Medical instability
We found this trial at
1
site
New York, New York 10605
Principal Investigator: Joel Stein, MD
Phone: 212-305-2105
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