Clinical Trial With Riluzole in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 2 (ATRIL)

ATRIL is a multi-centric, double-blind randomized, two-arm controlled study. 42 SpinoCerebellar Ataxia type 2 (SCA2) patients, both gender, at least 18 years of age will be included. Riluzole 50 mg will be administered (per os) twice a day, versus one group with placebo for 12 months. Riluzole (Rilutek®) is a benzothiazole drug, market approved, for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). It delays the onset of ventilator-dependence or tracheostomy in selected patients and may increase survival. Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) will be used at M0, M6 and M12. To assess primary criterion, the percentage of patients with a decrease of at least 1 point of the SARA score between the inclusion visit, and Visit 3 (Months 12) will be calculated.

Inherited cerebellar ataxias are genetically heterogeneous neurological disorders. They are characterized by ataxic gait and cerebellar dysarthria that progresses over time with loss of ambulation and speech. The mutations by expansions of CAG triplets in the genes ATXN1 (SCA1), ATXN 2 (SCA2), 3 (SCA3), CACNA1A (SCA6), ATXN 7 (SCA7), and TBP (SCA17) are responsible for 50% of hereditary forms There is no curative or preventive treatment. This phase III study is a multi-centric, double-blind randomized, two-arm controlled study (one group with 50 mg Riluzole twice a day versus one group with placebo), to measure the efficacy of treatment with riluzole in SCA2 patients during 12 months. Amelioration is defined by a 1 point decrease of the SARA score.