7 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
The investigators are inviting families to take part in a research study that will help us better understand the physical characteristics associated with children who have Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia, and Coloboma (MAC) and how changes in their DNA sequence, called genetic mutations, play a role in the risk of developing MAC
Background: Uveal coloboma is a congenital eye malformation. It is thought to be a genetic condition. But it might have environmental causes as well. Researchers want to study the mothers of children with coloboma. They will use parts of the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS) Mother Questionnaire. NBDPS was a large study of birth defects. It collected data from 1997 to 2011. Researchers will use NBDPS and NIH data as well as the new survey to produce data that can serve as a basis for further study. Objective: To explore maternal factors and exposures during the first trimester of pregnancy as potential causes of uveal coloboma and to correlate exposure data to clinical data from affected children. Eligibility: Mothers of probands with coloboma who have taken part in NIH study 06-EI-0230, 04-EI-0039, or 13-EI-0049. Design: This is a hybrid study. It will use existing data from NBDPS and NIH studies. It will also use NBDPS for a new survey of mothers of children with coloboma. Participants will take the survey by phone. Their pregnancy records may be reviewed. They will be asked about: Important dates Health and medicines Tobacco, alcohol, and substance use Parents occupations Family demographics. The survey will take 1 hour or less to complete. Some data were obtained in past NIH studies. These data are largely from children. Some family data may be used as well. For example, eye exam data, gene test results, and family history of coloboma may be used. If a participant did not consent to the future use of their data, then their data will not be used. Data will be stored in a secure NIH database. ...
Background: - Uveal coloboma is a condition where the eye does not form normally. It occurs early in the fetus s development during pregnancy. It can lead to different kinds of eye problems, including blindness. Uveal coloboma is part of a spectrum of developmental eye conditions that include anophthalmia and microphthalmia, typically referred to as "MAC". Several genes have been linked to MAC, but the cause of most causes are hard to find. Researchers want to study the genes of people who have MAC and genes from their close, unaffected relatives (such as parents and siblings). Objectives: - To study the genes associated with MAC. Eligibility: - Individuals at least 1 years of age who either have MAC or are an unaffected relative (such as a parent or sibling). Design: * Participants will have a physical exam and medical history. They will also have a full eye exam. * Participants with MAC may have other exams, such as imaging studies and hearing assessments. * All participants will also provide blood, cheek swab or saliva or DNA samples for genetic testing.
This study will identify the genes responsible for uveal coloboma, an abnormal development of the eye caused by incomplete closure of a normally-occurring gap in the eye (the optic fissure) after the fifth week of life in a human embryo. There have been studies of families in which more than one person has been affected by this disorder. Coloboma occurs in about 1 of 10,000 live births and may cause significant vision loss. Researchers seek a better understanding of the genes responsible for this disorder. Adults and children who have more than one member of the family with uveal coloboma may be eligible for this study. Patients will undergo a detailed medical history and eye examination appropriate for their age. The pupils will be dilated, through the use of eye drops. Dilation will continue for 4 to 6 hours, and wearing of sunglasses can reduce temporary glare that many patients may experience in brightly lit areas. In addition, pictures will be taken of the front or back of the eye, a procedure that also involves dilation of the pupils. Patients who have coloboma will undergo a complete physical examination. Blood samples will be collected, with a total of about 2 tablespoons from patients ages 10 and older and about 1 teaspoon for each 5 pounds of body weight for younger patients. Also, patients with coloboma may be asked to undergo X-rays , ultrasound, or other tests that are medically indicated. To have enough DNA to study, the researchers may create a cell line to grow more DNA. Laboratory samples will be coded so that there is no identifying information about participants in this study. No other testing or research will be done on blood samples collected unless patients give permission. The researchers will not provide information about patients' health to other people without your express permission.
The majority of young children do not think that visual field (VF) testing of peripheral vision is similar to a game; therefore, it is not surprising that they have difficulty maintaining attention during VF testing and thus the test reliability suffers as a consequence. Poor VF reliability has been a longstanding, major issue since it leads to an increased number of tests and/or longer duration of time needed to determine when there are true vision losses. Providers are less likely to obtain VF tests in children since the results are of doubtful value and challenging to interpret when they are inconsistent. Effectively this means that children with untreated, slowly progressive eye diseases may go undiagnosed and incur greater visual losses. The investigators aim to create a prototype device that the investigators hypothesize will make VF testing more engaging for young children, thus increasing their attention and consistency of their responses to the test stimuli, which in turn should improve VF reliability. The components include a microdisplay video screen (1.5" diameter) as the fixation target (instead of the standard LED light) displaying video clips of popular cartoon characters, and audio clips of impersonated cartoon character voices presented by the test operator to provide instructional feedback based on the child's performance during testing. Improved VF reliability from the investigators intervention would translate to improved diagnosis and care for young childrens' peripheral vision loss through widespread implementation of the investigators innovative, affordable and readily adoptable system at eye care providers' offices.
This study is a multi-center, longitudinal cohort study of 125 infants with craniofacial microsomia (CFM) and 100 infants without craniofacial anomalies. Participants will undergo a series of evaluations between 0-3 years of age to comprehensively evaluate the developmental status of infants and toddlers with CFM. This research design will also explore specific pathways by which CFM may lead to certain outcomes. Specifically, the study explores (1) the longitudinal relations between facial asymmetry and emotion-related facial movements and socialization; and (2) associations among ear malformations, hearing and speech deficits and cognitive outcomes. Results of this research will ultimately lead to future investigations that assess new interventions and corresponding changes in current standards of care for children with CFM.
This study will evaluate and treat children or adults with inherited or developmental eye conditions. It will allow specialists in pediatric ophthalmology, genetic ophthalmology, and ocular motility at the National Eye Institute (NEI) to learn more about the course of various pediatric, genetic, developmental, and eye movement diseases thorough long-term observation and treatment. It will also serve as the first step in determining the eligibility of patients who may wish to enroll in other NEI clinical research studies or undergo standard eye treatments. Children with eye conditions, especially inherited or developmental conditions, and adults with eye disorders that began in childhood or that likely have a genetic or developmental component may be eligible for this study. Participants will undergo some or all of the following procedures: * Medical history, including family history. * Physical examination and possibly routine blood tests, x-rays tests, standard eye movement recordings, questionnaires, and specialized procedures when needed. * Complete eye examination, including vision test, visual perception, eye pressure (if possible), dilation of the pupils to examine the back of the eye (lens, vitreous, and retina). * Photographs of the eyes. * Oculography (eye movement recordings) in patients for whom testing will aid in diagnosis. This test is done either with goggles placed over the eyes or with a contact lens placed on each eye. When the goggles or lenses are in place, the subject looks at a series of red targets on a computer screen. * Electroretinography (ERG) in patients with suspected retinal degeneration. This is a test of the electrical function of the eyes. Before the test, patients sit in a dark room for 30 minutes with their eyes patched. A small electrode (silver disk) is taped to their forehead. The eye patches are then removed, the eyes are numbed with drops, and contact lenses are placed in the eyes. The contact lenses sense small electrical signals generated by the retina when lights flash. During the ERG recording, the patient looks inside a large empty bowl. A light flashes, first in the dark and then with a light turned on inside the bowl. The test takes 1 hour or less. Participants are followed up to 6 times a year for 3 years, depending on the diagnosis and treatment.