4 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
The CAUSE study is a multicenter study, with domestic (n=4) and international (n=6) study sites. Children and young adults (ages 0-18) who have microtia and/or craniofacial microsomia and their parents are invited to participate. Children and parents are asked to provide a DNA sample (blood or saliva) and are asked to upload a few photos of their face. Parents are asked a short interview. Participants are able to participate from home or at one of four domestic sites.
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.
Background: Some head and facial abnormalities are rare and present at birth. Others are more common, and may not show up until puberty. These conditions have different causes and characteristics. Researchers want to learn more about these conditions by comparing people with face, head, and neck abnormalities to family members and to healthy volunteers without such conditions. Objectives: To learn more about abnormal development of the face, head, and neck. To determine their genetic variants. Eligibility: People who have not had surgery for facial trauma: People ages 2 and older with craniofacial abnormalities (may participate offsite) Unaffected relatives ages 2 and older Healthy volunteers ages 6 and older Design: Participants will be screened with medical history and physical exam focusing on head, face, and neck Participants may be followed for several years. Visits may require staying near the clinic for a few days. A visit is required for the following developmental stages, along with follow-up visits: Age 2-6 Age 6-10 Age 11-17 Age 18 and older Visits may include: Medical history Physical exam Questionnaires Oral exam Blood and urine tests Cheek swab: a cotton swab will be wiped across the inside of the cheek several times. Cone beam CT scan (CBCT): x-rays create an image of the head, face, teeth, and neck. Participants will stand still or sit on a chair for about 20 minutes while the scanner rotates around the head. Photos of the head and face Offsite participants will provide: Copies of medical and dental records Leftover tissue samples from previous surgery Blood sample or cheek swab
This study will describe the use of an intervention, developed by an organization called Positive Exposure, to improve self-perceptions among adolescents and young adults who may encounter the stigma, or negative effect, of differences in their head and face. Photo-shoots and video interviews will be used. The combined use of those techniques is a new way to address aspects such as self-esteem, body image, and feelings of social awkwardness and anxiety-that is, a way that has never been systematically explored with people who have craniofacial differences. The conditions that participants in this study have will include cleft lip and palate, Apert syndrome, hemifacial microsomia, Treacher Collins syndrome, Mobius syndrome and Sturge-Weber syndrome. Among the goals of photography and video interviews are to help people to define themselves by their strengths rather than by their conditions; visually confront discrimination by others; investigate the possibilities for social support, networking, and creative problem-solving that can be developed for people with craniofacial conditions; and promote hopefulness for the future. Positive Exposure is a nonprofit organization founded in 1997. It investigates the psychosocial experiences of people who have genetic, physical, and mental conditions, among all ages and ethnic and cultural backgrounds of people. According to experiences of people with several conditions, participation with Positive Exposure has enhanced their feelings about themselves as attractive, capable individuals. Patients ages 12 years and older who have craniofacial conditions may be eligible for this pilot study. About 30 people will participate. Participants will be asked to provide the diagnosis of their craniofacial conditions. They will also be asked how many surgeries and what kinds they have had over the years, and how old they were at the time of the surgeries. This information will not be connected to participants' names and will be stored in a database protected by password. There are three parts to the study. In Part 1, patients will be asked to write a personal reflection (for as long as they wish) on their experiences of having their picture taken and being video taped. They will also fill out a brief survey, taking about 15 minutes. They are able to do this at home and will mail their responses to the researchers. In Part 2, they will take part in a photo-shoot (about 1 hour) conducted by the founder and program director of Positive Exposure and then take part in a video interview (about 30 minutes) conducted by a co-investigator from that organization. In Part 3, to take place 1 month following the photo-shoot, participants will write a final reflection that describes their experiences with Positive Exposure and then fill out another brief survey (about 10 minutes). Surveys used in the study will be the Self-Esteem Scale, Perceived Social Stigma Scale, and State Hope Scale. Photo-shoots and video interviews will be held at the studio of Positive Exposure in New York City or, if necessary, at a location closer to the participant's home. The projected time line of this pilot study is 10 months. Direct benefits are not the goal of participation in this study. However, participants may enjoy the photo-shoots and video interviews, as well as the process of reflecting and sharing their life and photo experiences with others. This pilot study will be a starting point for future research into Positive Exposure for adolescents and adults with visible genetic conditions.