MedPath

Study of Inherited Neurological Disorders

Recruiting
Conditions
Motor Neuron Disease
Muscular Disease
Peripheral Nervous System Disease
Muscular Dystrophy
Registration Number
NCT00004568
Lead Sponsor
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Brief Summary

This study is designed to learn more about the natural history of inherited neurological disorders and the role of heredity in their development. It will examine the genetics, symptoms, disease progression, treatment, and psychological and behavioral impact of diseases in the following categories: hereditary peripheral neuropathies; hereditary myopathies; muscular dystrophies; hereditary motor neuron disorders; mitochondrial myopathies; hereditary neurocognitive disorders; inherited neurological disorders without known diagnosis; and others. Many of these diseases, which affect the brain, spinal cord, muscles, and nerves, are rare and poorly understood.

Children and adults of all ages with various inherited neurological disorders may be eligible for this study. Participants will undergo a detailed medical and family history, and a family tree will be drawn. They will also have a physical and neurological examination that may include blood test and urine tests, an EEG (brain wave recordings), psychological tests, and speech and language and rehabilitation evaluations. A blood sample or skin biopsy may be taken for genetic testing. Depending on the individual patient s symptoms, imaging tests such as X-rays, CT or MRI scans and muscle and nerve testing may also be done.

Information from this study may provide a better understanding of the genetic underpinnings of these disorders, contributing to improved diagnosis, treatment, and genetic counseling, and perhaps leading to additional studies in these areas.

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Detailed Description

The Neurogenetics Branch (NGB) within the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is conducting a study to evaluate and provide genetic diagnosis to participants with various diagnosed and undiagnosed neurological conditions.

OBJECTIVES:

The primary objective of this protocol is to provide a resource of participants for enrollment into new research protocols throughout the NGB and other NIH laboratories. Evaluating and diagnosing participants will allow the NGB specialists to maintain their expertise and gain additional knowledge of the course of various neurological disorders. The information obtained will allow for the evaluation and diagnosis of the studied neurological diseases. This understanding may lead to ideas for future protocols. In some cases, blood or other biologic samples (including urine, saliva, or a cheek (buccal) swab) will be obtained for future laboratory studies.

STUDY POPULATION

The number of participants to be enrolled will be set to 3,500 participants with neurological diseases and their unaffected relatives.

DESIGN:

This is an observational diagnostic study of multiple neurological diseases and their pathophysiology.

OUTCOME MEASURES:

No formal outcomes will be measured; however the clinical assessments of enrolled participants can be used to characterize the disease manifestations. In addition, DNA samples obtained may be used to identify and verify causative mutations as well as identify novel genes, which may help establish pathogenic mechanisms and genotype-phenotype correlations.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
3500
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Genetic disease identification; Deep phenotyping of rare genetic neurological disorders; Training of fellows and studentsOutcome measures assessed at initial visit and ongoing until a genetic diagnosis is made. Duration of study 15 years (per protocol).

The primary objective of this protocol is to provide a resource of participants for enrollment into new research protocols throughout the NGB and other NIH laboratories. Evaluating and diagnosing participants will allow the NGB specialists to maintain their expertise and gain additional knowledge of the course of various neurological disorders. The information obtained will allow for the evaluation and diagnosis of the studied neurological diseases. This understanding may lead to ideas for future protocols. In some cases, blood or other biologic samples (including urine, saliva, or a cheek (buccal) swab) will be obtained for future laboratory studies. No formal outcomes will be measured; however, the clinical assessments of enrolled participants can be used to characterize the disease manifestations.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

University of Mali

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Bamako, Mali

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center

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Bethesda, Maryland, United States

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