5 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
The purpose of this study is to advance understanding of the natural history of Rett syndrome (RTT), MECP2-duplication disorder (MECP2 Dup), CDKL5, FOXG1, and individuals with MECP2 mutations who do not have RTT including the range of clinical involvement and to correlate genotype-phenotype over a broad spectrum of phenotypes. While much has been learned about RTT, improvements are required in understanding the role of factors such as X chromosome inactivation, genetic background, and others including the environment, on the great variability observed even between individuals with the same MECP2 mutation. These data will be essential to the development and conduct of clinical trials that are anticipated from ongoing studies in animal models for RTT. This study will not include clinical trials, but should set the stage for such trials and other translational research projects (e.g., development of biomarkers).
Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a genetic brain disorder that occurs almost exclusively in females and is usually caused by a change (mutation) in the gene MECP2. The disorder is characterized by multiple developmental problems, as well as behavioral features, such as repetitive stereotypic hand movements, including hand washing, wringing, and tapping. While there is no cure for RTT, recent advances in the understanding of the disease suggest that the development of new, effective therapies is promising. This study will gather information on the genetic defects that cause RTT, the physical expressions of these defects, and disease progression. In turn, this may direct the development of future treatments. Expanded studies include individuals with MECP2 Duplication disorder, and RTT-related disorders including individuals with MECP2 mutations, but not meeting obligatory criteria for the diagnosis of RTT and individuals with mutations in CDKL5 and FOXG1 some of whom meet criteria for atypical RTT.
The purpose of the study is to prospectively assess longitudinal changes in biomarkers (MECP2, potential biomarkers of target engagement and disease activity) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood; characterize longitudinal changes in performance on clinical scales (clinician-reported measures of neurodevelopment and functioning) and caregiver-reported outcome assessments (communication, gastrointestinal, social-emotional-adaptive behavioral measures); evaluate longitudinal changes in caregiver-reported health-related quality-of-life measures; and assess the frequency, type, and severity of seizures over time.
The overall purpose of this project is to advance understanding of the neurophysiological features of Rett syndrome (RTT), MECP2 Duplication (MECP2 Dup) and RTT-related disorders (CDKL5, FOXG1) to gain insight into disease pathogenesis, with an emphasis on identifying biomarkers of disease evolution and severity. This specific study is intertwined to the core study Natural History of Rett Syndrome and Related Disorders (RTT5211), which characterizes range of clinical involvement and genotype-phenotype correlations and will provide phenotypical data for determining the clinical relevance of the neurophysiologic parameters; study subjects here are co- and primarily enrolled in RTT5211. The proposed studies will serve as basis of future translational investigations, including further refinement of biomarkers, development of outcome measures, and clinical trials per se.
The overarching purpose of this study is to advance understanding of the natural history of Rett syndrome (RTT), MECP2-duplication disorder (MECP2 Dup), RTT-related disorders including CDKL5, FOXG1, and individuals with MECP2 mutations who do not have RTT. Although all these disorders are the result of specific genetic changes, there remains broad clinical variation that is not entirely accounted for by known biological factors. Additionally, clinical investigators currently do not have any biomarkers of disease status, clinical severity, or responsiveness to therapeutic intervention. To address these issues, biological materials (DNA, RNA, plasma, cell lines) will be collected from affected individuals and in some cases from unaffected family members, initial evaluation performed to identify additional biological factors contributing to disease severity, and these materials will be stored for future characterization.