Functional and Structural Imaging and Motor Control in Spinocerebellar Ataxia

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Spinocerebellar Ataxia
• Interventions: Behavioral: Error-reduction; Behavioral: International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale; Behavioral: Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia; Behavioral: Beck Depression Inventory, 2nd Ed; Behavioral: Stroop; Behavioral: Purdue Pegboard; Behavioral: Brief Test of Attention; Behavioral: 6-minute Walk; Behavioral: Hand Grip Dynamometer; Behavioral: Montreal Cognitive Assessment; Behavioral: Physical Performance Function; Behavioral: Biomechanical Assessments of Dysmetria; Behavioral: Neurophysiological assessment of brain activity; Behavioral: Biomechanical gait analysis

• Registration Number: NCT02488031
• Lead Sponsor: University of Florida

Brief Summary

The purpose of this research study is to investigate how the brain and motor behavior changes both in individuals with spinocerebellar ataxia and healthy individuals, and to assess whether a therapeutic intervention reduces levels of uncoordinated movement and improves motor function in spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA).

Detailed Description

Thirty individuals who have been diagnosed with either Spinocerebellar Ataxia - 1 (SCA1), Spinocerebellar Ataxia - 3 (SCA3), or Spinocerebellar Ataxia - 6 (SCA6) will be recruited for this study. Participants will be randomly assigned to a best medical management (BMM / control) group and an error-reduction group. All participants will visit the lab twice for testing one month apart. Participants in the control group will not train between the pre- and post-test time.

The error-reduction intervention will be a 4-week home-based program. Investigators will use a novel, custom designed computer interface. Participants will perform goal-directed movements with each leg to targets in a 3D virtual environment designed to emphasize accurate movements. The goal-directed leg movements (similar to leg press) will be performed seated and require hip, knee, and ankle joint control. Leg movement will be detected using the LeapMotion sensor (Leap Motion Inc. San Francisco, CA), a device that supports hand, and finger / tool motions as input, similar to a mouse, but requiring no contact. Spatial endpoint errors will be quantified in 3D space by comparing the endpoint location of the foot trajectory (extending from the big toe) and the virtual location of the target. Time endpoint errors will be quantified by comparing the timing of the foot trajectory and the required time to target.

The length of the intervention will be 4 weeks. Each participant will train 4 days a week for \~1 hour per day. Within a week the task difficulty will increase by changing the presentation of the target from a predictable to an unpredictable location, by increasing movement speed requirements and by changing target size. Targets will be made predictable by identifying them prior to the cue for movement onset (target turning green). Specifically, there will be a flashing dotted line around the target prior to the target turning green. Targets will be made unpredictable by not providing any indication of the target location prior to the target turning green. Movement speed will be quantified from the voluntary movement onset of the leg (no reaction time) to the movement end.The movement speed requirements will be increased within a week and participants will learn to execute faster movements from the feedback after each trial. The size of the target will be progressively reduced during the 4 weeks.

All individuals in the study will receive a pre- and post-test assessment using the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA). The individual sections of the ICARS (e.g. Kinetic section) and SARA will be quantified.

In addition, leg dysmetria will be quantified using a custom-made goal-directed movement protocol. Specifically, participants will perform unloaded ankle dorsiflexion movements and attempt to reach a space-time target. The primary outcomes will be position and time errors.

Biomechanics of overground walking in SCA will be monitored using the APDM mobility lab (APDM, Inc. Mobility Lab, Oregon, USA). Participants will wear APDM's wireless sensors on the hands, legs, trunk and forehead and walk overground a distance of 7 meters for 2 minutes. APDM quantifies 80 common biomechanical outcomes of gait (e.g. stride length variability).

The neurophysiology of SCA will be quantified with functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and motor unit pool activity. Brain activity will be quantified with task-based fMRI using a 32-channel head coil. During fMRI force tasks, ankle dorsiflexion will be measured from the most affected lower limb using customized fiber optic sensors, as has been done in the past. Real-time feedback of force performance will be provided to the subject. During the rest blocks, subjects will fixate on a stationary target but do not produce force. During task blocks, subjects will complete 2 second pulse-hold contractions to 15% maximum voluntary contraction(MVC) of ankle dorsiflexion followed by 1 second of rest. There will be 10 pulses per block. The knee will be supported by a pillow to flex the knee so that the forces applied by the ankle do not cause head movement.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2015-06-30
• Study First Submitted QC: 2015-07-01
• Study First Posted: 2015-07-02
• Study Start: 2016-03
• Primary Completion: 2019-01-17
• Study Completion: 2019-01-17
• Status Verified: 2019-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2019-05-09
• Last Update Posted: 2019-05-13

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 19

Inclusion Criteria

• DNA diagnosis of SCA1, SCA3, or SCA6
• phenotype consistent with the DNA diagnosis
• ability to walk 7 meters
• the age of 21-85 years
• capable of providing informed consent and complying with the trial procedures

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Exclusion Criteria

• Known recessive, X-linked or mitochondrial ataxias or any other type of ataxia
• Concomitant disorder(s) that affect ataxia measures used in this study
• Cognitive status on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment < 24
• Patients who have any type of implanted electrical device (such as a cardiac pacemaker or a neurostimulator), or a certain type of metallic clip in their body (i.e., an aneurysm clip in the brain), and are not eligible for participation in the MRI portion of the study
• Individuals who are claustrophobic
• Women who are or might be pregnant and nursing mothers
• Individuals with psychiatric disorders or dementia, along with other neurological and orthopedic problems that impair hand movements and walking

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Error-reduction	Error-reduction	The participants in the error-reduction group will participate in a 4-week home-based training intervention during the month between their pre- and post-test visits. During pre- and post- training visits, Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA), Purdue Pegboard, Brief Test of Attention, 6-minute Walk, Hand Grip Dynamometer, Physical Performance Function, Digit Span, SARA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Beck Depression Inventory 2nd Ed, Stroop and biomechanical gait analysis tests will be administered. Also biomechanical assessments of dysmetria and neurophysiological assessment of brain activity will be conducted to evaluate the impact of the training on SCA individuals.
Error-reduction	Stroop	The participants in the error-reduction group will participate in a 4-week home-based training intervention during the month between their pre- and post-test visits. During pre- and post- training visits, Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA), Purdue Pegboard, Brief Test of Attention, 6-minute Walk, Hand Grip Dynamometer, Physical Performance Function, Digit Span, SARA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Beck Depression Inventory 2nd Ed, Stroop and biomechanical gait analysis tests will be administered. Also biomechanical assessments of dysmetria and neurophysiological assessment of brain activity will be conducted to evaluate the impact of the training on SCA individuals.
Error-reduction	Physical Performance Function	The participants in the error-reduction group will participate in a 4-week home-based training intervention during the month between their pre- and post-test visits. During pre- and post- training visits, Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA), Purdue Pegboard, Brief Test of Attention, 6-minute Walk, Hand Grip Dynamometer, Physical Performance Function, Digit Span, SARA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Beck Depression Inventory 2nd Ed, Stroop and biomechanical gait analysis tests will be administered. Also biomechanical assessments of dysmetria and neurophysiological assessment of brain activity will be conducted to evaluate the impact of the training on SCA individuals.
Error-reduction	Biomechanical Assessments of Dysmetria	The participants in the error-reduction group will participate in a 4-week home-based training intervention during the month between their pre- and post-test visits. During pre- and post- training visits, Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA), Purdue Pegboard, Brief Test of Attention, 6-minute Walk, Hand Grip Dynamometer, Physical Performance Function, Digit Span, SARA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Beck Depression Inventory 2nd Ed, Stroop and biomechanical gait analysis tests will be administered. Also biomechanical assessments of dysmetria and neurophysiological assessment of brain activity will be conducted to evaluate the impact of the training on SCA individuals.
Error-reduction	Neurophysiological assessment of brain activity	The participants in the error-reduction group will participate in a 4-week home-based training intervention during the month between their pre- and post-test visits. During pre- and post- training visits, Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA), Purdue Pegboard, Brief Test of Attention, 6-minute Walk, Hand Grip Dynamometer, Physical Performance Function, Digit Span, SARA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Beck Depression Inventory 2nd Ed, Stroop and biomechanical gait analysis tests will be administered. Also biomechanical assessments of dysmetria and neurophysiological assessment of brain activity will be conducted to evaluate the impact of the training on SCA individuals.
Error-reduction	6-minute Walk	The participants in the error-reduction group will participate in a 4-week home-based training intervention during the month between their pre- and post-test visits. During pre- and post- training visits, Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA), Purdue Pegboard, Brief Test of Attention, 6-minute Walk, Hand Grip Dynamometer, Physical Performance Function, Digit Span, SARA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Beck Depression Inventory 2nd Ed, Stroop and biomechanical gait analysis tests will be administered. Also biomechanical assessments of dysmetria and neurophysiological assessment of brain activity will be conducted to evaluate the impact of the training on SCA individuals.
Best Medical Management	Biomechanical gait analysis	The participants in the best medical management group will undergo identical testing sessions (two visits one month apart) as those in the error-reducing group but will not receive the 4-week error reducing intervention. They will be administered the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) assessments and the following tests: Purdue Pegboard, Brief Test of Attention, 6-minute Walk, Hand Grip Dynamometer, Physical Performance Function, Digit Span, SARA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Beck Depression Inventory 2nd Ed, Stroop and biomechanical gait. Biomechanical assessments of dysmetria and neurophysiological assessment of brain activity will be conducted at both visits.
Error-reduction	Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia	The participants in the error-reduction group will participate in a 4-week home-based training intervention during the month between their pre- and post-test visits. During pre- and post- training visits, Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA), Purdue Pegboard, Brief Test of Attention, 6-minute Walk, Hand Grip Dynamometer, Physical Performance Function, Digit Span, SARA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Beck Depression Inventory 2nd Ed, Stroop and biomechanical gait analysis tests will be administered. Also biomechanical assessments of dysmetria and neurophysiological assessment of brain activity will be conducted to evaluate the impact of the training on SCA individuals.
Error-reduction	Beck Depression Inventory, 2nd Ed	The participants in the error-reduction group will participate in a 4-week home-based training intervention during the month between their pre- and post-test visits. During pre- and post- training visits, Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA), Purdue Pegboard, Brief Test of Attention, 6-minute Walk, Hand Grip Dynamometer, Physical Performance Function, Digit Span, SARA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Beck Depression Inventory 2nd Ed, Stroop and biomechanical gait analysis tests will be administered. Also biomechanical assessments of dysmetria and neurophysiological assessment of brain activity will be conducted to evaluate the impact of the training on SCA individuals.
Best Medical Management	Purdue Pegboard	The participants in the best medical management group will undergo identical testing sessions (two visits one month apart) as those in the error-reducing group but will not receive the 4-week error reducing intervention. They will be administered the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) assessments and the following tests: Purdue Pegboard, Brief Test of Attention, 6-minute Walk, Hand Grip Dynamometer, Physical Performance Function, Digit Span, SARA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Beck Depression Inventory 2nd Ed, Stroop and biomechanical gait. Biomechanical assessments of dysmetria and neurophysiological assessment of brain activity will be conducted at both visits.
Error-reduction	International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale	The participants in the error-reduction group will participate in a 4-week home-based training intervention during the month between their pre- and post-test visits. During pre- and post- training visits, Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA), Purdue Pegboard, Brief Test of Attention, 6-minute Walk, Hand Grip Dynamometer, Physical Performance Function, Digit Span, SARA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Beck Depression Inventory 2nd Ed, Stroop and biomechanical gait analysis tests will be administered. Also biomechanical assessments of dysmetria and neurophysiological assessment of brain activity will be conducted to evaluate the impact of the training on SCA individuals.
Error-reduction	Hand Grip Dynamometer	The participants in the error-reduction group will participate in a 4-week home-based training intervention during the month between their pre- and post-test visits. During pre- and post- training visits, Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA), Purdue Pegboard, Brief Test of Attention, 6-minute Walk, Hand Grip Dynamometer, Physical Performance Function, Digit Span, SARA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Beck Depression Inventory 2nd Ed, Stroop and biomechanical gait analysis tests will be administered. Also biomechanical assessments of dysmetria and neurophysiological assessment of brain activity will be conducted to evaluate the impact of the training on SCA individuals.
Error-reduction	Biomechanical gait analysis	The participants in the error-reduction group will participate in a 4-week home-based training intervention during the month between their pre- and post-test visits. During pre- and post- training visits, Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA), Purdue Pegboard, Brief Test of Attention, 6-minute Walk, Hand Grip Dynamometer, Physical Performance Function, Digit Span, SARA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Beck Depression Inventory 2nd Ed, Stroop and biomechanical gait analysis tests will be administered. Also biomechanical assessments of dysmetria and neurophysiological assessment of brain activity will be conducted to evaluate the impact of the training on SCA individuals.
Best Medical Management	International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale	The participants in the best medical management group will undergo identical testing sessions (two visits one month apart) as those in the error-reducing group but will not receive the 4-week error reducing intervention. They will be administered the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) assessments and the following tests: Purdue Pegboard, Brief Test of Attention, 6-minute Walk, Hand Grip Dynamometer, Physical Performance Function, Digit Span, SARA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Beck Depression Inventory 2nd Ed, Stroop and biomechanical gait. Biomechanical assessments of dysmetria and neurophysiological assessment of brain activity will be conducted at both visits.
Best Medical Management	Brief Test of Attention	The participants in the best medical management group will undergo identical testing sessions (two visits one month apart) as those in the error-reducing group but will not receive the 4-week error reducing intervention. They will be administered the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) assessments and the following tests: Purdue Pegboard, Brief Test of Attention, 6-minute Walk, Hand Grip Dynamometer, Physical Performance Function, Digit Span, SARA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Beck Depression Inventory 2nd Ed, Stroop and biomechanical gait. Biomechanical assessments of dysmetria and neurophysiological assessment of brain activity will be conducted at both visits.
Best Medical Management	6-minute Walk	The participants in the best medical management group will undergo identical testing sessions (two visits one month apart) as those in the error-reducing group but will not receive the 4-week error reducing intervention. They will be administered the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) assessments and the following tests: Purdue Pegboard, Brief Test of Attention, 6-minute Walk, Hand Grip Dynamometer, Physical Performance Function, Digit Span, SARA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Beck Depression Inventory 2nd Ed, Stroop and biomechanical gait. Biomechanical assessments of dysmetria and neurophysiological assessment of brain activity will be conducted at both visits.
Error-reduction	Purdue Pegboard	The participants in the error-reduction group will participate in a 4-week home-based training intervention during the month between their pre- and post-test visits. During pre- and post- training visits, Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA), Purdue Pegboard, Brief Test of Attention, 6-minute Walk, Hand Grip Dynamometer, Physical Performance Function, Digit Span, SARA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Beck Depression Inventory 2nd Ed, Stroop and biomechanical gait analysis tests will be administered. Also biomechanical assessments of dysmetria and neurophysiological assessment of brain activity will be conducted to evaluate the impact of the training on SCA individuals.
Error-reduction	Brief Test of Attention	The participants in the error-reduction group will participate in a 4-week home-based training intervention during the month between their pre- and post-test visits. During pre- and post- training visits, Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA), Purdue Pegboard, Brief Test of Attention, 6-minute Walk, Hand Grip Dynamometer, Physical Performance Function, Digit Span, SARA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Beck Depression Inventory 2nd Ed, Stroop and biomechanical gait analysis tests will be administered. Also biomechanical assessments of dysmetria and neurophysiological assessment of brain activity will be conducted to evaluate the impact of the training on SCA individuals.
Error-reduction	Montreal Cognitive Assessment	The participants in the error-reduction group will participate in a 4-week home-based training intervention during the month between their pre- and post-test visits. During pre- and post- training visits, Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA), Purdue Pegboard, Brief Test of Attention, 6-minute Walk, Hand Grip Dynamometer, Physical Performance Function, Digit Span, SARA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Beck Depression Inventory 2nd Ed, Stroop and biomechanical gait analysis tests will be administered. Also biomechanical assessments of dysmetria and neurophysiological assessment of brain activity will be conducted to evaluate the impact of the training on SCA individuals.
Best Medical Management	Beck Depression Inventory, 2nd Ed	The participants in the best medical management group will undergo identical testing sessions (two visits one month apart) as those in the error-reducing group but will not receive the 4-week error reducing intervention. They will be administered the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) assessments and the following tests: Purdue Pegboard, Brief Test of Attention, 6-minute Walk, Hand Grip Dynamometer, Physical Performance Function, Digit Span, SARA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Beck Depression Inventory 2nd Ed, Stroop and biomechanical gait. Biomechanical assessments of dysmetria and neurophysiological assessment of brain activity will be conducted at both visits.
Best Medical Management	Hand Grip Dynamometer	The participants in the best medical management group will undergo identical testing sessions (two visits one month apart) as those in the error-reducing group but will not receive the 4-week error reducing intervention. They will be administered the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) assessments and the following tests: Purdue Pegboard, Brief Test of Attention, 6-minute Walk, Hand Grip Dynamometer, Physical Performance Function, Digit Span, SARA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Beck Depression Inventory 2nd Ed, Stroop and biomechanical gait. Biomechanical assessments of dysmetria and neurophysiological assessment of brain activity will be conducted at both visits.
Best Medical Management	Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia	The participants in the best medical management group will undergo identical testing sessions (two visits one month apart) as those in the error-reducing group but will not receive the 4-week error reducing intervention. They will be administered the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) assessments and the following tests: Purdue Pegboard, Brief Test of Attention, 6-minute Walk, Hand Grip Dynamometer, Physical Performance Function, Digit Span, SARA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Beck Depression Inventory 2nd Ed, Stroop and biomechanical gait. Biomechanical assessments of dysmetria and neurophysiological assessment of brain activity will be conducted at both visits.
Best Medical Management	Stroop	The participants in the best medical management group will undergo identical testing sessions (two visits one month apart) as those in the error-reducing group but will not receive the 4-week error reducing intervention. They will be administered the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) assessments and the following tests: Purdue Pegboard, Brief Test of Attention, 6-minute Walk, Hand Grip Dynamometer, Physical Performance Function, Digit Span, SARA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Beck Depression Inventory 2nd Ed, Stroop and biomechanical gait. Biomechanical assessments of dysmetria and neurophysiological assessment of brain activity will be conducted at both visits.
Best Medical Management	Montreal Cognitive Assessment	The participants in the best medical management group will undergo identical testing sessions (two visits one month apart) as those in the error-reducing group but will not receive the 4-week error reducing intervention. They will be administered the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) assessments and the following tests: Purdue Pegboard, Brief Test of Attention, 6-minute Walk, Hand Grip Dynamometer, Physical Performance Function, Digit Span, SARA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Beck Depression Inventory 2nd Ed, Stroop and biomechanical gait. Biomechanical assessments of dysmetria and neurophysiological assessment of brain activity will be conducted at both visits.
Best Medical Management	Biomechanical Assessments of Dysmetria	The participants in the best medical management group will undergo identical testing sessions (two visits one month apart) as those in the error-reducing group but will not receive the 4-week error reducing intervention. They will be administered the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) assessments and the following tests: Purdue Pegboard, Brief Test of Attention, 6-minute Walk, Hand Grip Dynamometer, Physical Performance Function, Digit Span, SARA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Beck Depression Inventory 2nd Ed, Stroop and biomechanical gait. Biomechanical assessments of dysmetria and neurophysiological assessment of brain activity will be conducted at both visits.
Best Medical Management	Neurophysiological assessment of brain activity	The participants in the best medical management group will undergo identical testing sessions (two visits one month apart) as those in the error-reducing group but will not receive the 4-week error reducing intervention. They will be administered the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) assessments and the following tests: Purdue Pegboard, Brief Test of Attention, 6-minute Walk, Hand Grip Dynamometer, Physical Performance Function, Digit Span, SARA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Beck Depression Inventory 2nd Ed, Stroop and biomechanical gait. Biomechanical assessments of dysmetria and neurophysiological assessment of brain activity will be conducted at both visits.
Best Medical Management	Physical Performance Function	The participants in the best medical management group will undergo identical testing sessions (two visits one month apart) as those in the error-reducing group but will not receive the 4-week error reducing intervention. They will be administered the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) assessments and the following tests: Purdue Pegboard, Brief Test of Attention, 6-minute Walk, Hand Grip Dynamometer, Physical Performance Function, Digit Span, SARA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Beck Depression Inventory 2nd Ed, Stroop and biomechanical gait. Biomechanical assessments of dysmetria and neurophysiological assessment of brain activity will be conducted at both visits.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in the Location of the Movement Endpoint Relative to the Target in the Motor Task	Change from Baseline to 1 month	Assessment of the subject's ability to stay on target during the motor task. The task is a goal-directed movement that aims to match a spatial target in a specific time(time target).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Blood-oxygen-level-dependent(BOLD) Activity of Motor Cortex	Change from Baseline to 1 month	Results of blood-oxygen-level-dependent contrast imaging as analyzed from functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging(fMRI). More colors indicates more excitement of the motor cortex.
International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale(ICARS) Assessment	Change from Baseline to 1 month	The ICARS is an assessment of the ataxia severity. The ICARS score is the total sum of the sub scores on specific movements and ranges from 0 to 100, with a score of 100 being indicative of the most severely affected outcome.
Change in Motor Unit Discharge Rate Variability	Change from Baseline to 1 month	Amount of motor unit activity occurring during the Electromyography(EMG) task. Lower amount of variability is better. The change reflects the difference in values between the pre- and post-training sessions. The discharge rate variability will change by percent.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Florida; 🇺🇸 Gainesville, Florida, United States