8 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
The study is made up of two cohorts: a randomized double-blind crossover (placebo withdrawal with rescue) study among patients ≥ 16 years of age (adult cohort) and an open-label dose titration study among pediatric patients ≥1 month and \<16 years of age (pediatric cohort)
Iiopathic bilateral cataracts occur in many children with Cerebrotendinous Xanthomatosis (CTX) so the opportunity to use contact with health care providers in connection with pediatric cataract evaluation and treatment is a promising avenue for disease detection and prevention.
OBJECTIVES: I. Assess the biosynthesis of cholesterol and cholestanol, and measure the turnover of individual sterols and bile acids in patients with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis before and after a cholesterol- and cholestanol-free diet. II. Assess the biosynthesis of cholesterol and cholestanol, and measure the turnover of individual sterols and bile acids in these patients before and after lovastatin and chenodeoxycholic acid.
The treatment of cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis an in born error of bile acid synthesis with chenodeoxycholic acid. Patients with this disease over produce cholestanol and bile acid precursors because of the block in synthesis. Replacement with chenodeoxycholic acid shut down abnormal pathway and reduces elevated level of cholestanol and improves the clinical syndrome.
ScreenPlus is a consented, multi-disorder pilot newborn screening program implemented in conjunction with the New York State Newborn Screening Program that provides families the option to have their newborn(s) screened for a panel of additional conditions. The study has three primary objectives: 1) define the analytic and clinical validity of multi-tiered screening assays for a flexible panel of disorders, 2) determine disease incidence in an ethnically diverse population, and 3) assess the impact of early diagnosis on health outcomes. Over a five-year period, ScreenPlus aims to screen 100,000 infants born in nine high birthrate, ethnically diverse pilot hospitals in New York for a flexible panel of 14 rare genetic disorders. This study will also involve an evaluation of the Ethical, Legal and Social issues pertaining to NBS for complex disorders, which will be done via online surveys that will be directed towards ScreenPlus parents who opt to participate and qualitative interviews with families of infants who are identified through ScreenPlus.
Early Check provides voluntary screening of newborns for a selected panel of conditions. The study has three main objectives: 1) develop and implement an approach to identify affected infants, 2) address the impact on infants and families who screen positive, and 3) evaluate the Early Check program. The Early Check screening will lead to earlier identification of newborns with rare health conditions in addition to providing important data on the implementation of this model program. Early diagnosis may result in health and development benefits for the newborns. Infants who have newborn screening in North Carolina will be eligible to participate, equating to over 120,000 eligible infants a year. Over 95% of participants are expected to screen negative. Newborns who screen positive and their parents are invited to additional research activities and services. Parents can enroll eligible newborns on the Early Check electronic Research Portal. Screening tests are conducted on residual blood from existing newborn screening dried blood spots. Confirmatory testing is provided free-of-charge for infants who screen positive, and carrier testing is provided to mothers of infants with fragile X. Affected newborns have a physical and developmental evaluation. Their parents have genetic counseling and are invited to participate in surveys and interviews. Ongoing evaluation of the program includes additional parent interviews.
The Myelin Disorders Biorepository Project (MDBP) seeks to collect and analyze clinical data and biological samples from leukodystrophy patients worldwide to support ongoing and future research projects. The MDBP is one of the world's largest leukodystrophy biorepositories, having enrolled nearly 2,000 affected individuals since it was launched over a decade ago. Researchers working in the biorepository hope to use these materials to uncover new genetic etiologies for various leukodystrophies, develop biomarkers for use in future clinical trials, and better understand the natural history of these disorders. The knowledge gained from these efforts may help improve the diagnostic tools and treatment options available to patients in the future.
Leukodystrophies, and other heritable disorders of the white matter of the brain, were previously resistant to genetic characterization, largely due to the extreme genetic heterogeneity of molecular causes. While recent work has demonstrated that whole genome sequencing (WGS), has the potential to dramatically increase diagnostic efficiency, significant questions remain around the impact on downstream clinical management approaches versus standard diagnostic approaches.