High-Dose Intravenous Immunoglobulin to Treat Cerebellar Degeneration

This study will examine whether high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is safe and effective for treating cerebellar ataxia-degeneration of the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for coordinating muscle movements and balance. The disease causes a slowly progressive impairment of speech and balance, with patients often developing slurred speech, tremor, clumsiness of the hands, and walking difficulties (ataxia). IVIG is derived from donated blood that has been purified, cleaned and processed into a form that can be infused. IVIG is an immune suppressant that is routinely used to treat other neurological conditions.

Patients 18 years of age and older with hereditary (genetic) or sporadic (unknown cause) cerebellar degeneration may be eligible for this 5-month study. They must have evidence of an immune component to their condition, such as gluten sensitivity or antiganglioside antibodies. Candidates will be screened with a neurological examination, a review of medical records and possibly blood tests.

Participants will be randomly assigned to receive infusions of either IVIG or placebo (an inactive substance) through an arm vein once a month for two months. The infusions will be given in the hospital in doses divided over 2 days, each lasting 6 to 10 hours. Before the infusions, patients will undergo ataxia assessments through tests of coordination and balance that may involve finger tapping, walking in a straight line, talking, and eye movements. When the treatment is finished, patients will be followed in the clinic once a month for 3 months for blood tests repeat ataxia assessments to evaluate the effects of treatment.

There is increasing evidence that there is an antibody mediated, autoimmune component in hereditary and sporadic cerebellar degeneration. The objective of this study is to show clinical improvement or stabilization in ataxia using treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment. This study is a clinical, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of IVIG in adult patients with cerebellar ataxia. Patients will be selected from the motor control clinic based on a diagnosis of sporadic or hereditary cerebellar degeneration. Study drug (placebo versus active) will be given in an intravenous infusion over a 2-day period while the patient is hospitalized. This will be repeated monthly for 2 months. Efficacy measurement will include clinical ataxia rating scales, motor speed testing and clinical gait evaluation. These will be performed at baseline, during each hospitalization, and 1 month following final IVIG infusion. Main outcome measure will be difference from baseline in score on the NINDS ataxia rating scale 1 month following 2 treatments of 2 mg/kg IVIG (total 4 mg/kg).

Eligibility Criteria:
INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Adults over 18 with hereditary or sporadic cerebellar degeneration. Sporadic cerebellar degeneration may include the cerebellar predominant variant of Multiple System Atrophy (MSA-C). Hereditary ataxia is limited to the SCAs (spinocerebellar ataxias) or those patients with clear autosomal dominant ataxia. Patients must also have evidence for an immune component to their condition such as gluten-sensitivity or antiganglioside antibodies.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Patients on the gluten-free diet. Those who wish to participate in this trial must be off the diet for a period of 3 months prior to the start of the study.

Patients with Friedreich's ataxia. To date, this has not been associated with autoimmune phenomena. We would not expect this population to respond.

Patients with other autosomal recessive and mitochondrial forms of ataxia, since autoimmunity has not been studied in this population.

Patients with hypercoaguable disorders. This includes conditions like Protein C or S deficiency, underlying malignancy and/or paraproteinemia.

Patient with acute renal insufficiency or patients on known nephrotoxic drugs.

Patients with selective IgA deficiency

Known paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration.

Cerebellar ataxia that is congenital, static and/or symptomatic (due to stroke, tumor, demyelinating or infectious).

Women who are pregnant or lactating. Those of child-bearing age will be asked to use effective contraception for the duration of the study.

Those patients who do not wish to use a product derived from human serum (for example, Jehovah's Witness).