Active clinical trials for "Gangliosidoses, GM2"

The study aims to characterize prospectively longitudinal progression of neurological domains in GM1 and GM2 Gangliosidosis patients with high-quality standards (GCP compliant).

Adult Tay-Sachs disease and Sandhoff diseases are caused by deficiency of an enzyme called β-hexosaminidase A, or Hex A in short. This enzyme is located in a particular cellular component, called lysosomes, inside the brain cells. The reason that Hex A of patients with Adult Tay-Sachs disease or Sandhoff disease is deficient is because this enzyme had gone through mutation, resulting in it not working very well. In healthy people, Hex A efficiently breaks down GM2-ganglioside, which is a by-product from cells of our body. However, patients with Adult Tay-Sachs disease or Sandhoff disease cannot efficiently break down GM2-ganglioside in the body. Therefore, these patients have high levels of this by-product in the brain cells, which causes the brain to be unable to function normally. There is a drug called Pyrimethamine. This drug is used by doctors to treat specific types of infections called malaria and toxoplasmosis. Our laboratory test tube studies have shown that Pyrimethamine can help the Hex A enzyme to function in a normal manner. If Hex A can function normally in presence of Pyrimethamine, this drug should be able restore the brain malfunction of these patients since Hex A can now efficiently break down GM2-ganglioside with Pyrimethamine treatment. Although results from laboratory test tube studies are promising and Pyrimethamine should theoretically restore brain function of these patients, we do not know if Pyrimethamine is safe or if it would actually work in patients. This study is the first study (a Phase I study) of testing Pyrimethamine to treat Adult Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff diseases. The objective of this study is to see if Pyrimethamine is safe in these patients and to see if it can restore the brain function of these patients.

This study is being conducted to better understand the natural course of GM1 gangliosidosis, GM2 gangliosidoses and Gaucher disease Type 2 (GD2). Information is planned to be gathered on at least 180 patients with GM1 gangliosidosis, GM2 gangliosidoses, and Gaucher Disease type 2. Retrospective data collection is planned for at least 150 deceased patients (Group A). Group B is for patients alive at the time of enrollment. In Group B it is planned to prospectively collect more comprehensive data from at least 30 patients. The purpose of this study is to collect relevant information for a adequate design of a potential subsequent research program in these diseases. In this study no therapy is being offered.

The purpose of this study is to learn more about the natural history of Late Onset GM2 Gangliosidosis (Tay-Sachs disease and Sandhoff Disease) to inform future clinical trials.