Safety, Tolerability, and Sensorimotor Effects of Extended-release Dalfampridine in Adults With Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Study.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-1-2017

Publication Title

Clinical therapeutics

Keywords

4-Aminopyridine; Adult; Cerebral Palsy; Cross-Over Studies; Delayed-Action Preparations; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pilot Projects; Walking; Young Adult

Abstract

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of dalfampridine extended release (D-ER) in a pilot study of adults with cerebral palsy (CP) and limited ambulatory ability, and to explore drug effects on sensorimotor function.

METHODS: An initial double-blind, single-dose crossover study was performed in 11 individuals randomized 1:1 to receive D-ER (10 mg) or placebo, followed by a 2-day washout period and the opposite treatment, with evaluation for safety and tolerability. A twice daily dosing, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study was then performed. Participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to 1 of 2 sequences: 1 week of D-ER (10 mg BID) or placebo, followed by a 1-week washout and 1 week of the opposite treatment. Key inclusion criteria were age 18 to 70 years, body mass index 18.0 to 30.0 kg/m

FINDINGS: Among the 24 total participants who were randomized to treatment and completed the twice daily dosing phase study, their mean age was 38.6 years (range, 20-62 years), 54% were women, and 83% had spastic CP. Adverse events were consistent with previous D-ER trials, most commonly headache (13% D-ER, 4% placebo), fatigue (13% D-ER, 0% placebo), insomnia (8% D-ER, 4% placebo), diarrhea (4% D-ER, 4% placebo), and nausea (4% D-ER, 4% placebo). The mixed model analysis of full crossover data identified no significant difference between D-ER and placebo in the primary functional analysis (the most pronounced deficit; P = 0.70) or in the secondary analyses (hand strength [P = 0.48], manual dexterity [P = 0.13], or walking speed [P = 0.42]).

IMPLICATIONS: In this preliminary study of adults with CP, a BID dose of 10-mg D-ER was generally safe and well tolerated. The exploratory functional assessments for upper and lower sensorimotor deficits did not establish that the study population was markedly responsive to D-ER relative to placebo. These findings do not provide the proof-of-concept that would support further evaluation of D-ER as a potential intervention to improve function in adults with CP. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01468350.

Clinical Institute

Neurosciences (Brain & Spine)

Department

Neurosciences

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