Taltirelin Hydrate in Patients with Ataxia Due to Spinocerebellar Degeneration

Objective We conducted this study to assess the efficacy and safety of taltirelin hydrate (TH) in spinocerebellar degeneration (SCD). Methods Patients were randomly assigned to either the taltirelin group (5 mg orally, twice daily) or the control group. The primary endpoint was changes in the Korean version of Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (K-SARA) scores at 24 weeks. The secondary endpoints include changes in the K-SARA scores at 4 and 12 weeks, the Clinical Global Impression, Five-level version of the EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire, Tinetti balance test and gait analysis at 4, 12 and 24 weeks. Results A total of 149 patients (hereditary:non-hereditary = 86:63) were enrolled. There were significant differences in changes in K-SARA scores at 24 weeks from baseline between the taltirelin group and the control group (-0.51 ± 2.79 versus 0.36 ± 2.62, respectively; p = 0.0321). Of the K-SARA items, both 'Stance' and 'Speech disturbance' had significantly lower subscores in the taltirelin group as compared with the control group (-0.04 ± 0.89 versus 0.23 ± 0.79 and -0.07 ± 0.74 versus 0.18 ± 0.67; p = 0.0270 and 0.0130, respectively). But there were no significant differences in changes in other secondary efficacy outcome measures at 24 weeks from baseline between the two treatment arms (p > 0.05). Conclusion Clinicians might consider using TH in the treatment of ataxia due to SCD.