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

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

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05095870
Acronym
CANVAS
Enrollment
35
Registered
2021-10-27
Start date
2021-10-25
Completion date
2022-03-31
Last updated
2025-12-04

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Cerebellar Ataxia, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Neuropathy

Brief summary

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.

Interventions

OTHERNo intervention

Pure observational study

Sponsors

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nīmes
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
RETROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

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.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
median ultrasoundBaselineComparison of axial cross-sectional area to Bilateral exploration of median nerve ultrasound
ulnar nerve at wrist ultrasoundBaselineComparison of axial cross-sectional area to Bilateral exploration of ulnar nerve at wrist, ultrasound
mid-arm ultrasoundBaselineComparison of axial cross-sectional area to Bilateral exploration of ulnar nerve, mid-arm, ultrasound
elbow ultrasoundbaselineComparison of axial cross-sectional area to Bilateral exploration of ulnar nerve, elbow, ultrasound
ultrasoundDay of the evaluationComparison of axial cross-sectional area to Bilateral exploration of ulnar nerve, mid-forearm, ultrasound
radial nerve ultrasoundBaselineComparison of axial cross-sectional area to Bilateral exploration of radial nerve ultrasound
superficial radial branch nerve ultrasoundBaselineComparison of axial cross-sectional area to Bilateral exploration of superficial radial branch nerve ultrasound
C5, C6 ultrasoundBaselineComparison of axial cross-sectional area to Bilateral exploration of C5, C6 roots ultrasound
sural nerve ultrasoundBaselineComparison of axial cross-sectional area to Bilateral exploration of sural nerve ultrasound
superficial fibular nerve ultrasoundBaselineComparison of axial cross-sectional area to Bilateral exploration of superficial fibular nerve ultrasound
popliteus ultrasoundBaselineComparison of axial cross-sectional area to Bilateral exploration of popliteus tibial nerve at ankle ultrasound
tibial ultrasoundBaselineComparison of axial cross-sectional area to Bilateral exploration of tibial nerveat ankle ultrasound
fibular ultrasoundBaselineComparison of axial cross-sectional area to Bilateral exploration of fibular nerve at the neck ultrasound

Countries

France

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026