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Fragile X SyndromePhase 2SXF-TRA152NCT01329770

Safety and Efficacy Study of Antioxidants for the Treatment of the Fragile X Syndrome

A Phase 2 study testing Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) and Alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E) in people with Fragile X Syndrome, run by Yolanda de Diego Otero at 1 site in Spain.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The Fragile X syndrome (FXS) was first described by Dr. Martin and Dr. Bell in 1943, in families with several patients affected by sex-linked mental disability. This disorder is the most common cause of inherited mental disability. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 6 to 18 years, men only
Conditions the study is for
Fragile X Syndrome
What is being tested?
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) and Alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E)
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
30 participants
Where
1 siteSpain
Study dates
Dec 2010to Apr 2015
Phase
Phase 2
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 6 to 18 years
  • Men only
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child, Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Molecular genetics diagnosis of the syndrome (number of CGG repeats in the FMR1 gene over 200).
  • Presenting characteristic symptoms of fragile X syndrome.
  • Patients older than 6 years and younger that 19 years.
  • Signed informed consent by parents and/or legal tutor prior to enrolment in the trial.
  • Both parents and patients must commit to participate for the duration of the 30 week trial.

Who cannot join

  • The study excludes individuals with other neurological disorders not linked to the syndrome.
  • Patients that have had serious medical problems in the previous 12 months.
  • Are taking more than 100mg of vitamin E or vitamin C daily for the past 4 months.
  • Have physical problems, mental or sensory impairments that preclude the assessment of effectiveness.
  • Hypersensitivity to any component of the preparation.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Spain1 site
  • Psychiatric Service. Hospital Carlos Haya

    Málaga, Malaga, 29009

Other trials in Spain

About this study

Official title: Phase II Double-blind Randomized Placebo-controlled 1-way Crossover Trial to Investigate Safety and Efficacy of the Ascorbic Acid and Tocopherol for the Treatment of the Fragile X Syndrome

The Fragile X syndrome (FXS) was first described by Dr. Martin and Dr. Bell in 1943, in families with several patients affected by sex-linked mental disability. This disorder is the most common cause of inherited mental disability. The prevalence of the Fragile X syndrome has been established at 1 in 2,500 males and 1 in 4000 females.

Despite moderate to severe mental retardation, fragile X patients exhibit macroorchidism, an elongated face, long ears, connective tissue dysplasia, hyperactivity, autistic-like and stereotypical behaviours, speech delay and increased sensory sensitivity.

Read more

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the combination of the antioxidant Ascorbic acid and tocopherol, as therapy of the Fragile X Syndrome in young males.

Hypothesis: It is proposed that part of the pathophysiology of the central nervous system in the animal model of the fragile X syndrome may be determined by oxidative stress. In addition, Fragile X patients showed a significantly low level of ascorbic acid in plasma. The biochemical characteristics of oxidative stress may be reversed in the FMR1-KO mice, by a chronic treatment with antioxidant compounds such as tocopherol or melatonin, it may also normalize several hallmarks of the Syndrome such as hyperactivity, anxiety and cognitive deficits. The normalization of the oxidative stress is proposed as a new therapeutic pathway to alleviate conditions caused by an excess of free radicals that are crucial in neurodevelopmental diseases such as autism, down syndrome and other diseases of the central nervous system.

Read the detailed description
  • Objective: To evaluate the effect of the combination of the antioxidant Ascorbic acid and tocopherol, as therapy of the Fragile X Syndrome in young males.
  • Design: Pilot clinical trial, Phase II , 6-month randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled one-way crossover clinical trial, with two treatment periods of 12 weeks duration.
  • Setting: IMABIS Foundation. Carlos Haya Hospital, Malaga.
  • Subjects: Children aged 5-11 years (infants) and 12-18 years (adolescents) diagnosed with Fragile X syndrome.
  • Intervention: 30 participants randomly assigned, to receive antioxidant vitamins C (ascorbic acid) and vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopherol) once a day or placebo for 12 weeks double-blind. In Study Period 2, all participants receive (open) active treatment. Outcome measures: improvement in plasma antioxidant levels, oxidative stress (indicated by glutathione status, thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) and carbonyl content of proteins) and HPA axis response. Behavioral problems will be studied using "Developmental behavior checklist" and "Teacher's and Parent´s Questionnaire, C. Keith Conners", also learning improvement will be analyzed using "Wechsler Intelligence Scale for children" at 0, 3, 6 months during the trial and 3 months after completing the treatment.
Being tested
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) and Alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E), Placebo
Keywords
Neurodevelopmental disability, Hyperactivity, Anxiety, Cognitive problems, Behavioural symptoms, Fragile X syndrome, Autism, inherited Genetic condition
Medical subject headings
Fragile X Syndrome, Spasm, Anxiety Disorders, Behavioral Symptoms, Autistic Disorder

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) and Alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E)Dietary supplement

    • Vitamin E (D-alpha-Tocopherol) 10 mg/kg/day (with a maximum of 600mg/day)
    • Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid) 10 mg/kg/day (with a maximum of 800mg/day) For 12 weeks
  • PlaceboDietary supplement

    Two daily dose of placebo, administered at breakfast and dinner for 12 weeks

Study groups in NCT01329770
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Ascorbic Acid and alpha-tocopherolExperimentalTwo daily doses of the combination of antioxidants, administered at breakfast and dinner
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) and Alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E)
PlaceboPlacebo comparatorTwo daily doses of placebo, administered at breakfast and dinner
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Changes in the baseline Conner's Parent and Teacher Scales at 12 and 24 weeks

    Hyperactivity scales: Conners Parent and Teacher Questionnaire, realized before starting treatment, 12 weeks and 24 weeks after beginning the treament.

    Measured: Baseline, week 12, week 24

Secondary outcomes (3)
  1. Change in the baseline measure of the Inventory of behaviour development (DBC-P24) at 12 and 24 weeks

    Inventory of behaviour development (DBC-P24) will be realized before starting, 12 weeks and 24 weeks after beginning the treatment

    Measured: Baseline, week 12 and week 24

  2. Wechsler Intelligence Scale for children

    Wechsler Intelligence Scale for children will be used at base line and 12 weeks after beginning the treatment

    Measured: baseline, week 12 and week 24

  3. Composite measure of blood and urine.

    Safety Evaluation through blood and urine measurement. The following studies will be done at base line, 12 and 24 weeks after beginning the treatment:

    1. Hematology
    2. Biochemical
    3. Determination of adrenal axis.
    4. Oxidative status.
    5. Analysis of urine density, pH, protein, glucose, ketone bodies, bilirubin, blood, nitrite, urobilinogen, leukocytes, urinary sediment, sodium, chlorine, potassium.

    Measured: Baseline, week 12 and week 24

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted6 Apr 2011 (estimated)
  2. Study startDec 2010
  3. Primary completionApr 2015
  4. Study completionApr 2015

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Crossover
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
30 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT01329770
Sponsor's protocol ID
2009-017837-23
Other IDs
2009
Acronym
SXF-TRA152
Status last verified
Apr 2015
First submitted
29 Mar 2011
Last updated
14 Apr 2015
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes

Publications

  • de Diego-Otero Y, Romero-Zerbo Y, el Bekay R, Decara J, Sanchez L, Rodriguez-de Fonseca F, del Arco-Herrera I. Alpha-tocopherol protects against oxidative stress in the fragile X knockout mouse: an experimental therapeutic approach for the Fmr1 deficiency. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2009 Mar;34(4):1011-26. doi: 10.1038/npp.2008.152. Epub 2008 Oct 8.

    PubMed 18843266
  • Romero-Zerbo Y, Decara J, el Bekay R, Sanchez-Salido L, Del Arco-Herrera I, de Fonseca FR, de Diego-Otero Y. Protective effects of melatonin against oxidative stress in Fmr1 knockout mice: a therapeutic research model for the fragile X syndrome. J Pineal Res. 2009 Mar;46(2):224-34. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-079X.2008.00653.x. Epub 2008 Dec 23.

    PubMed 19141086
  • el Bekay R, Romero-Zerbo Y, Decara J, Sanchez-Salido L, Del Arco-Herrera I, Rodriguez-de Fonseca F, de Diego-Otero Y. Enhanced markers of oxidative stress, altered antioxidants and NADPH-oxidase activation in brains from Fragile X mental retardation 1-deficient mice, a pathological model for Fragile X syndrome. Eur J Neurosci. 2007 Dec;26(11):3169-80. doi: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2007.05939.x. Epub 2007 Nov 14.

    PubMed 18005058
  • de Diego-Otero Y, Calvo-Medina R, Quintero-Navarro C, Sanchez-Salido L, Garcia-Guirado F, del Arco-Herrera I, Fernandez-Carvajal I, Ferrando-Lucas T, Caballero-Andaluz R, Perez-Costillas L. A combination of ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol to test the effectiveness and safety in the fragile X syndrome: study protocol for a phase II, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Trials. 2014 Sep 3;15:345. doi: 10.1186/1745-6215-15-345.

    PubMed 25187257

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) and Alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E) in people with Fragile X Syndrome, run by Yolanda de Diego Otero at 1 site in Spain.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 14 Apr 2015. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Spain. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Changes in the baseline Conner's Parent and Teacher Scales at 12 and 24 weeks (time frame: Baseline, week 12, week 24). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT01329770, which also lists 4 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 14 Apr 2015.

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