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NCT Number: NCT05095870

Evaluation of the Peripheral Nerve Ultrasound as a Diagnostic Tool in CANVAS Neuropathies

Cerebellar ataxia with neuropathy and bilateral areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) is a late onset neurodegenerative disorder with a slowly progressive ataxia. It's genetic causative etiology with an autosomal recessive inheritance has a recent discovery.

It is clinically characterized by impaired visually enhanced vestibulo-ocular reflex, although patients commonly present with imbalance as a main concern, associated with sensory complaints. It has been demonstrated that sensory impairment in CANVAS patients is due to degeneration of dorsal root with abnormal sensory nerve conduction.

Previously defined diagnostic criteria included cerebellar atrophy on brain MRI, neuronopathy on electrophysiological studies and negative genetic testing for other inherited ataxia syndromes like Friedriech ataxia and spinal cerebellar ataxia (SCA).

Peripheral nerve ultrasound is a noninvasive technique, able to identify abnormal peripheral nerves with underlying injuries and specific sonographic characteristics. Pelosi et al established that patients with CANVAS have a smaller nerve cross sectional area (CSA) compared to healthy individuals and/ or axonal neuropathies.

The main objective of this study was to obtaine a detailed description of peripheral nerves in consecutive patients with CANVAS syndrome followed in theneurology department of the Universitary Hospital of Nimes (France), using conventional electrophysiology and peripheral nerve ultrasound.

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Key information

Conditions

Neuropathy Ataxia Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Cerebellar Ataxia Cerebellar Diseases Dyskinesias Nervous System Diseases Neurodegenerative Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

CHU de Nîmes

Nîmes, 30129, France

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

CANVAS Patients :

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients followed at the University Hospital of Nîmes between 2018-2021
  • Age > 18 years
  • Diagnosis of CANVAS with genetic evidence (RFC1+)
  • Diagnosis of neuronopathy

Exclusion criteria

  • Age <18 years
  • Chronic polyradiculoneuritis or other demyelinating neuropathy

Control group, inclusion criteria :

Patient with axonal sensory-motor or pure sensory neuropathy confirmed by electro neuromyography, and concordant with the clinic.

Treatment and study plan

No intervention

Other

Pure observational study

Primary outcomes

  1. median ultrasound

    Time frame: Baseline

    Comparison of axial cross-sectional area to Bilateral exploration of median nerve ultrasound

  2. ulnar nerve at wrist ultrasound

    Time frame: Baseline

    Comparison of axial cross-sectional area to Bilateral exploration of ulnar nerve at wrist, ultrasound

  3. mid-arm ultrasound

    Time frame: Baseline

    Comparison of axial cross-sectional area to Bilateral exploration of ulnar nerve, mid-arm, ultrasound

  4. elbow ultrasound

    Time frame: baseline

    Comparison of axial cross-sectional area to Bilateral exploration of ulnar nerve, elbow, ultrasound

  5. ultrasound

    Time frame: Day of the evaluation

    Comparison of axial cross-sectional area to Bilateral exploration of ulnar nerve, mid-forearm, ultrasound

  6. radial nerve ultrasound

    Time frame: Baseline

    Comparison of axial cross-sectional area to Bilateral exploration of radial nerve ultrasound

  7. superficial radial branch nerve ultrasound

    Time frame: Baseline

    Comparison of axial cross-sectional area to Bilateral exploration of superficial radial branch nerve ultrasound

  8. C5, C6 ultrasound

    Time frame: Baseline

    Comparison of axial cross-sectional area to Bilateral exploration of C5, C6 roots ultrasound

  9. sural nerve ultrasound

    Time frame: Baseline

    Comparison of axial cross-sectional area to Bilateral exploration of sural nerve ultrasound

  10. superficial fibular nerve ultrasound

    Time frame: Baseline

    Comparison of axial cross-sectional area to Bilateral exploration of superficial fibular nerve ultrasound

  11. popliteus ultrasound

    Time frame: Baseline

    Comparison of axial cross-sectional area to Bilateral exploration of popliteus tibial nerve at ankle ultrasound

  12. tibial ultrasound

    Time frame: Baseline

    Comparison of axial cross-sectional area to Bilateral exploration of tibial nerveat ankle ultrasound

  13. fibular ultrasound

    Time frame: Baseline

    Comparison of axial cross-sectional area to Bilateral exploration of fibular nerve at the neck ultrasound

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nīmes

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Evaluation of the Peripheral Nerve Ultrasound as a Diagnostic Tool in CANVAS (Cerebellar Ataxia With Neuropathy and Vestibular Areflexia Syndrome) Neuronopathies

Acronym: CANVAS

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
Oct 27, 2021
Registry last updated
Dec 4, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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