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Participate in Ataxia Research

You have the power to accelerate treatment development.

Participating in a research study or clinical trial is one way to take an active role in furthering understanding and treatment of Ataxia. It is also a way to get access to new treatment options before they are widely available. However, participating is a deeply personal choice to make. Look into the risks and benefits of each study before enrolling. You may also consider where research is being conducted, some studies are in-person and others are done remotely. To learn more about the clinical trial process, visit PrepRARE Clinical Trial Readiness.

Clinical Trials and Research Studies

NAF is committed to providing information to those affected by Ataxia including the availability of research studies and clinical trials for the study of Ataxia.

Below you will find clinical trials and research opportunities for those with various types of Ataxia. These trials have been approved and monitored by an Institutional Review Board (IRB), Research Ethics Board (REB), or Research Ethics Committee (REC) to make sure the risks are as low as possible and are worth any potential benefits. Click the name of the study to see detailed information.

If you would like to have your study listed here or request help with recruitment, download the Research Recruitment Application or email research@ataxia.org with your question.

Interventional Clinical Trials

Interventional clinical trials involve testing a drug, medical device, activity, or procedure. The study aims to figure out if a new treatment improves symptoms or slows disease progression. 

STUDY NAME

CLINICAL TRIAL PHASE

CONDITION

LOCATION

AGE

Phase 1

Friedreich’s Ataxia

New York, NY, USA

Adult
18+

Phase 0

Spinocerebellar Ataxias with and without genetic confirmation and Cerebellar Ataxia of unknown etiology

Baltimore, MD

Adult
18+

Observational Clinical Trials

Observational clinical studies collect information about disease progression over time. There is no drug or treatment involved in these types of studies. Observational studies are important for understanding symptoms and the patient experience. These studies support future drug development.

Did you know that NAF helps coordinate one of the longest-running Ataxia observational studies of all time? The Clinical Research Consortium for the Study of Cerebellar Ataxia (CRC-SCA) gives researchers crucial information to help design clinical trials and facilitate drug development. People with SCA1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, and 10 are eligible to participate.

STUDY NAME

CONDITION

LOCATION

AGE

SCA7

Bethesda, MD, USA

Adult 18+

DRPLA

New York, NY, USA

Children and Adult 18+

Research Studies

Research studies are used to explore the causes and effects of ataxia. They are used to better understand how ataxia impacts part of the body, what causes ataxia, and how we can measure ataxia symptoms. This information is important for planning future interventional and observational clinical studies. 

STUDY NAME

CONDITION

LOCATION

AGE

SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, SCA6, SCA7, SCA8, SCA17, or SCA48

Remote

Adult 18+

SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, SCA6 & Individuals without a SCA

Remote

Adult 18+

SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, SCA6 or SCA7

Remote

Adult 18+

Spinocerebellar Ataxia and Cerebellar Degeneration (Any Subtype)

Remote

Children and Adult 18+

Spinocerebellar Ataxia and Multiple System Atrophy

Remote

Adult 18+

Spinocerebellar Ataxia (any subtype) and/or Cerebellar Degeneration of Unknown Origin

Remote

Adult 18+

SCA (all subtypes) and Friedreich’s Ataxia

Boulder, CO, USA

Adult 18+

Spinocerebellar Ataxias (confirmed with genetic testing)

Baltimore, MD, USA

Adult 18+

Ataxia Patient Registry

Patient Registries are essential tools for Ataxia researchers. The purpose of a patient registry is to advance the development of treatments for a disease by connecting researchers with those who are affected with that disease. If you or a family member are affected by Ataxia or are at risk for Ataxia, we recommend that you sign up.

The CoRDS Registry was established to facilitate the establishment of rare disease registries for all rare diseases with a specific questionnaire for those with any type of ataxia or those at risk for Ataxia.

About CoRDS

How to Enroll in the CoRDS Registry

Brain Donation Program

Donating tissue for medical research is an important and deeply personal decision. Proper planning can help ensure that wishes are accounted for and honored at the time of your or a loved one’s passing. Start your planning with the documents listed below. For additional information on tissue donation contact the National Ataxia Foundation at naf@ataxia.org or call 763-553-0020. If death is imminent or has occurred, rapid recovery is essential. Call 1-877-GoAtaxia (1-877-462-8294) as soon as death appears imminent or has occurred. Thank you for considering this important legacy gift.

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