N-Acetyl-leucine in progressive CACNA1A ataxia: A case series

IF 2.3 3区医学 Q3 CLINICAL NEUROLOGY European Journal of Paediatric Neurology Pub Date : 2025-01-01 DOI:10.1016/j.ejpn.2024.12.006

K. Martakis , M. Giorgi , M. Spanou , B.A. Neubauer , A. Dinopoulos , A. Hahn

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Abstract

Background

CACNA1A-related disorders are rare and progressive; to date, there is no approved treatment. Trials with N-acetyl-leucine (NAL) demonstrated efficacy in disorders featuring ataxia, cognitive impairment, and epilepsy. Accordingly, we hypothesized that NAL may be effective in CACNA1A-associated disorders.

Cases

Four patients (1 boy, age 15 years, 3 girls, age 5, 9, and 14) received NAL as individualized off-label treatment and were assessed using the SARA Score, SCAFI and CGI-I. In all children NAL resulted in rapid improvement of ataxia, (gait, balance, fine motor and speech - mean SARA improvement at first follow-up: 3.25 points). Improvement was sustained up to 3 years (mean long-term SARA improvement: 5.13 points). SCAFI and CGI-I showed similar improvement. NAL was well-tolerated, without adverse reactions.

Conclusions

N-acetyl-leucine is a novel potential treatment for a so far untreatable rare disease spectrum of CACNA1A-disorders. The sustained benefit may reflect neuroprotective effects seen in other populations. Clinical trials are needed to control the results.

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来源期刊

European Journal of Paediatric Neurology 医学-临床神经学

CiteScore

6.30

自引率

3.20%

发文量

115

审稿时长

81 days

期刊介绍： The European Journal of Paediatric Neurology is the Official Journal of the European Paediatric Neurology Society, successor to the long-established European Federation of Child Neurology Societies. Under the guidance of a prestigious International editorial board, this multi-disciplinary journal publishes exciting clinical and experimental research in this rapidly expanding field. High quality papers written by leading experts encompass all the major diseases including epilepsy, movement disorders, neuromuscular disorders, neurodegenerative disorders and intellectual disability. Other exciting highlights include articles on brain imaging and neonatal neurology, and the publication of regularly updated tables relating to the main groups of disorders.