Social cognition and emotion recognition in autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxias

Ataxies SpinoCérébelleuses Autosomiques Dominantes et Cognition Sociale - Etude SoCoSca

This project tests whether adults with certain genetic forms of spinocerebellar ataxia have trouble recognizing emotions and understanding others' thoughts compared with healthy people.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 160 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 100 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University Hospital, Angers (other gov)
• Locations: 1 site (Angers)
• Trial ID: NCT07099651 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The study compares adults with molecularly confirmed autosomal dominant SCA (types 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 27B) to neurologically healthy controls using standardized tests of emotion recognition and theory of mind. Participants will complete cognitive and behavioral testing and, where possible, undergo MRI to explore anatomical correlates of any social cognition deficits. People with other neurological or psychiatric conditions, pregnancy, or contraindications to MRI are excluded. The goal is to clarify whether social cognition problems are a consistent feature across these SCA subtypes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older with molecularly confirmed autosomal dominant SCA1, 2, 3, 6, 7, or 27B who speak and read French, have at least seven years of schooling, can consent, and have no MRI contraindication are eligible.

Not a fit: People without genetic confirmation of an autosomal dominant SCA, those with other neurological or psychiatric disorders, pregnant or nursing women, those who cannot undergo MRI, or those who do not meet the language or education requirements are unlikely to benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help clinicians recognize social cognition difficulties in SCA patients so they can provide targeted support, counseling, or interventions.

How similar studies have performed: Previous literature of roughly 15 small studies has suggested impairments in basic emotion recognition and theory of mind in genetic cerebellar disorders, but results are limited by small samples and inconsistent anatomical correlations.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

For all participants:

* Men or women aged 18 and over
* At least 7 years' schooling (CEP level)
* Ability to read, write and speak French
* Signed informed consent to participate in the study

For patients :

\- With molecularly confirmed autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 27B)

For controls:

\- With no neurological pathology (questioning and neurological examination)

Exclusion Criteria:

For patients and controls:

* Simultaneous participation in another protocol that may interfere with the measurement of the criteria of interest
* Physical or cultural factors likely to interfere with test performance
* History likely to interfere with cognition (stroke, cranioencephalic trauma, other neurodegenerative disease, epilepsy, learning disability, alcohol dependence syndrome, psychiatric disorders...)
* Persons with contraindications to MRI scans
* Pregnant, nursing or parturient women
* Persons deprived of their liberty by judicial or administrative decision
* Persons under compulsory psychiatric care
* Persons subject to a legal protection measure
* Persons unable to express their consent
* Persons not affiliated to or not benefiting from a social security scheme (beneficiary or beneficiary entitled)

Where this trial is running

Angers

• CHU Angers — Angers, France (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Philippe Allain, professor

Conditions: Autosomal Dominant Spinocerebellar Ataxia