Completed

ExRx in FANAD+ Precursor and Exercise for Aerobic Capacity Improvement in Friedreich's Ataxia

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Study Aim

This study aims to investigate how a combination of exercise and NAD+ precursor can improve your aerobic capacity, measured by the change in your maximal oxygen uptake during a cardiopulmonary exercise test.

What is being tested

Nicotinamide Riboside

+ Exercise Intervention

+ Placebo

Dietary SupplementOther
Who is being recruted

From 10 to 40 Years
See all eligibility criteria
How is the trial designed

Other Study

Placebo-Controlled
Interventional
Study Start: September 2020
See protocol details

Summary

Principal SponsorChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia
Last updated: March 12, 2026
Sourced from a government-validated database.Claim as a partner

Study start date: September 3, 2020

Actual date on which the first participant was enrolled.

Friedreich's Ataxia (FA) is a rare condition that affects the nervous system and impacts about 1 in 50,000 people in the U.S. Currently, there are no approved treatments for this disease. This study aims to explore ways to improve aerobic capacity, or the body's ability to use oxygen effectively during exercise, in individuals with FA. One method involves using a substance called Nicotinamide Riboside (NR), a precursor to a vital molecule known as NAD+. NAD+ plays a crucial role in energy production within cells. In animals with a condition similar to FA, NAD+ precursors have shown promise in improving heart function. NR is available as a dietary supplement (Tru Niagen ®, ChromaDex, Irvine CA) and is expected to be safe and well-tolerated by both adults and children. The study combines the use of NR with exercise. The hypothesis is that this combination will enhance skeletal muscle mitochondrial function and increase muscle mass, leading to improved aerobic capacity. Participants will undergo an incremental symptom-limited cardio-pulmonary Exercise Stress Test (EST) on a recumbent leg cycle ergometer. This test measures the maximum amount of oxygen the body can use during exercise, known as Peak V02. A higher Peak V02 value indicates better oxygen uptake. The change in Peak V02 given in liters per minute (L/min) will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment.

Official TitleNAD+ Precursor Supplementation With Exercise Training to Increase Aerobic Capacity in Friedreich's Ataxia
NCT04192136
Principal SponsorChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia
Last updated: March 12, 2026
Sourced from a government-validated database.Claim as a partner

Protocol

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.
Design Details

75 patients to be enrolled

Total number of participants that the clinical trial aims to recruit.

Other Study

Some studies explore topics that don't fall into a specific category. These might include innovative research, new technologies, or emerging healthcare areas.



Eligibility

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria: person's general health condition or prior treatments.
Criteria

Any sex

Biological sex of participants that are eligible to enroll.

From 10 to 40 Years

Range of ages for which participants are eligible to join.

Healthy volunteers not allowed

If individuals who are healthy and do not have the condition being studied can participate.

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Molecular diagnosis of Friedrich's Ataxia (FA). 2. Males and Females, Age 10 to 40 years (inclusive). 3. Girls, 11 years of age and older, must have a negative urine/serum pregnancy test and must use an acceptable method of contraception, including abstinence, a barrier method (diaphragm or condom), Depo-Provera, or an oral contraceptive, for the duration of the study. 4. Not currently meeting exercise guidelines as outlined by The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. * Children and Adolescents should do 60 minutes (1 hour) or more of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily. * As a part of their physical activity, children and adolescents should include muscle-strengthening physical activity on at least 3 days a week. * Adults should do at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) to 300 minutes (5 hours) a week of moderate-intensity, or 75 minutes (1 hour and 15 minutes) to 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity. * Adults should also do muscle-strengthening activities of moderate or greater intensity that involve all major muscle groups on 2 or more days a week. 5. Cardiac echocardiogram or cardiac MRI, performed within 1 year of enrollment, showing an LVEF \> 45% 6. ECG, performed within 1 year of enrollment, without clinically significant arrhythmia. 7. Weight \> 24 kg 8. Parental/guardian permission (informed consent) and if appropriate, child assent. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Known sensitivity to NR. 2. Concurrent use of any medications, including statins, likely to increase risk of NR toxicity. 3. HgbA1c \> 8.5% and/or Diabetes Mellitus (DM) requiring insulin or insulin secretagogue. 4. Use of supraphysiologic steroids. 5. Laboratory abnormalities that indicate clinically significant anemia or bleeding risk. (Hemoglobin \< 10 g/dL or Platelets \< 100K) 6. Laboratory abnormalities that indicate clinically significant kidney disease using serum creatinine and Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation. (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) \< 60 ml/min/1.73 m2) 7. Laboratory abnormalities that indicate clinically significant liver disease. (Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)/Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (SGOT) 3.0 x Upper Limit of Normal and/or Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)/Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT) 3.0 x Upper Limit of Normal) 8. Uncontrolled and persistent arrhythmias that are felt to be clinically significant. 9. Known history of moderate or severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction (Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) \< 45%) 10. Standard contraindications to exercise testing. 11. Inability to sit and pedal unassisted in a cycle ergometry chair, at a cadence of at least 55 rotations per minute (rpm) during unloaded warm up, in a cycle ergometry chair and complete a maximal Cardio Pulmonary Exercise Test (CPET) 12. Inability to sit and pedal unassisted in a recumbent tricycle. 13. Any contraindication to MRI. Including: * Any intra-luminal implant, filter, stent or valve replacement * Any type of life assist device, pump, or prosthetic * Any vascular clip or clamp * Any surgically placed clips or clamps or bands on visceral organs * Any intracranial implants of any type other than dental fillings * Any non-removable piercings, jewelry, or medicinal patch * Any personal history of intraocular injury or fragment in or around the orbit that cannot be cleared through radiologic examination. * Any personal history of bullet, shrapnel, or stabbing wounds that cannot be cleared through radiologic evaluation. * Inability to lie flat in the MRI scanner for 60-90 minutes. * participants who cannot complete the MRI will not be excluded from participation in the remainder of the study procedures if they meet those inclusion and exclusion criteria 14. Use of any investigational agent within 4 weeks of enrollment, except open-label extension phase. 15. Females: pregnant, lactating, or planning to become pregnant during their participation. 16. Any medical condition, in the opinion of the investigator that will interfere with the safe completion of the study. 17. Parents/guardians or participants who, in the opinion of the Investigator, may be non-compliant with study schedules or procedures.

Study Plan

Find out more about all the medication administered in this study, their detailed description and what they involve.
Treatment Groups
Study Objectives

4 intervention groups are designated in this study

25% chance of being blinded to the placebo group

Treatment Groups

Group I

Experimental
The exercise program consists of at-home training sessions: 3 aerobic sessions per week on the in-home bike trainer, and 2 resistance exercise sessions per week using resistance bands. All sessions will begin with stretching and brief aerobic warm-up exercise on the in-home bike trainer. On resistance training days, subjects will be given instructions to complete circuits of resistance exercises. Participants in this arm will receive both the Exercise Intervention and the NR.

Group II

Experimental
Investigators will use Good Manufacturing Process (GMP)-grade 300 mg capsules of the dietary supplement nicotinamide riboside (ChromaDex, Irvine CA). Investigators dose based on body weight, and monitor for adverse effects (AEs). For individuals with weight \> 72 kg: 900 mg po qd x 12 wks. For individuals with weight \> 48 kg and ≤ 72 kg: 600 mg po qd x 12 wks. For individuals with weight 24 ≤ 48 kg: 300 mg po qd x 12 wks.

Group III

Experimental
The exercise program consists of at-home training sessions: 3 aerobic sessions per week on the in-home bike trainer, and 2 resistance exercise sessions per week using resistance bands. All sessions will begin with stretching and brief aerobic warm-up exercise on the in-home bike trainer. On resistance training days, subjects will be given instructions to complete circuits of resistance exercises. Participants in this arm will receive both the Exercise Intervention and the Placebo.

Group IV

Placebo
Matched placebo will contain the same excipients without the active supplement and is generally recognized as safe. The placebo will be covered in an identical capsule (NR will be covered in the same capsule). Doses of placebo will match the body weight schema for dosing of NR. Investigators dose based on body weight, and monitor for adverse effects (AEs). For individuals with weight \> 72 kg: 900 mg po qd x 12 wks. For individuals with weight \> 48 kg and ≤ 72 kg: 600 mg po qd x 12 wks. For individuals with weight 24 ≤ 48 kg: 300 mg po qd x 12 wks.

Study Objectives

Primary Objectives

Secondary Objectives

Study Centers

These are the hospitals, clinics, or research facilities where the trial is being conducted. You can find the location closest to you and its status.

This study has 1 location

Suspended

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Philadelphia, United StatesOpen Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in Google Maps
CompletedOne Study Center