Using spinal cord stimulation to improve upper limb function in spinal muscular atrophy

Spinal Cord Stimulation for the Treatment of Motor Deficits in People With Spinal Muscular Atrophy - Upper Limb Protocol

This study is testing whether spinal cord stimulation can help improve arm and hand movement in people with spinal muscular atrophy.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (estimated)
• Ages: 16 Years to 65 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
• Trial ID: NCT06300996 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This pilot study investigates the effects of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) on motor deficits in individuals with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) types 2, 3, or 4. The study will enroll up to six participants aged 16 or older who exhibit quantifiable upper body motor deficits. Participants will have percutaneous spinal leads implanted near the cervical spinal cord for up to 29 days to assess improvements in muscle strength and motor control. The study aims to measure changes in spinal circuits and motoneuron recruitment properties during the stimulation period.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are non-ambulatory individuals aged 16 to 65 with a confirmed diagnosis of SMA and quantifiable upper body motor deficits.

Not a fit: Patients who are ambulatory or do not have a confirmed genetic diagnosis of SMA may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enhance upper limb motor function in patients with spinal muscular atrophy.

How similar studies have performed: While spinal cord stimulation has shown efficacy in spinal cord injury patients, this application for SMA is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

SMA Participant Inclusion Criteria:

1. Subject has a diagnosis of 5q-autosomal recessive SMA confirmed by determination of a genetic deletion in the SMN1 gene (5q12.2-q13.3).
2. Subject is diagnosed as being non-ambulatory SMA based on the following criteria:

   a. Can't stand independently.
3. Subject is ≥16 years of age and \< 65 years of age.
4. Subject is able to sit independently.
5. A minimum score of 1 for Entry Item "A" of the Revised Upper Limb Module (RULM) scale for SMA: "Can use hands to hold pencil or pick up a coin/token or drive a powered chair, use phone key pad"
6. Subject (and subject's parent or legal guardian if subject is a minor) is willing and able to comply with scheduled visits and study procedures
7. Participants must have started SMN inducing therapies (Spinraza or risdisplam) at least 6 months prior to enrollment. (They must have either gotten their first injection at at least 6 months prior, or they started daily intake of risdisplam at least 6 months prior to the study)

Healthy Control Participant Inclusion Criteria:

1. Subject is ≥18 years of age and \< 65 years of age.
2. Subject is able to stand independently for ≥3 seconds.
3. Subject is willing and able to comply with scheduled visits and study procedures.

SMA Participant Exclusion Criteria:

1. Subject has deformation of the spinal canal preventing lead implantation as judged by the study neurosurgeon
2. Subject has size of spinal canal that is insufficient for lead implantation as judged by the study neurosurgeon
3. Subject has moderate or severe joint contractures that would affect ability to perform study measures, determined by the study physician
4. Subject has severe behavioral or cognitive problems that preclude participation in the study, in the opinion of the investigator
5. Subject has previous or ongoing medical condition, medical history, physical findings or laboratory abnormalities that could affect safety of anesthesia or the procedures, make it unlikely that intervention or follow-up will be correctly completed or impair the assessment of study results, in the opinion of the investigator
6. Female subjects are pregnant or breastfeeding, as established by self-report.
7. Subject has severe claustrophobia
8. Subject is on anticoagulant, anti-spasticity or anti-seizure medication within 4 weeks of lead implantation or requires these medications during the treatment phase of the study
9. Subject has medical implant that precludes magnetic resonance imaging
10. Subject has a deconditioned respiratory system, per the discretion of the physician investigator.
11. Subjects with renal insufficiency at the discretion of the physician investigator.
12. Subjects requiring any form of sedation for MRI will be excluded.

Healthy Control Participant Exclusion Criteria:

1. Subject has severe behavioral or cognitive problems that preclude participation in the study, in the opinion of the investigator would impact participation in the study.
2. Participants who have any serious disease or disorder (e.g. cancer, severe cardiac or respiratory disease, neurological conditions other than stroke, etc.) or cognitive impairments that could affect their ability to participate in this study.
3. Female subjects are pregnant or breastfeeding, as established by self-report.
4. Subjects requiring sedation for MRI will be excluded.

Where this trial is running

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• University of Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Marco Capogrosso — University of Pittsburgh
• Study coordinator: Sydney Bader, MS

Conditions: Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 3, Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type II, Spinal Muscular Atrophy 4, SMA, Spinal Cord Stimulation