Active clinical trials for "Intellectual Disability"

The RASopathies are a group of developmental disorders caused by genetic changes in the genes that compose the Ras/mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. New RASopathies are being diagnosed frequently. This pathway is essential in the regulation of the cell cycle and the determination of cell function. Thus, appropriate function of this pathway is critical to normal development. Each syndrome in this group of disorders has unique phenotypic features, but there are many overlapping features including facial features, heart defects, cutaneous abnormalities, cognitive delays, and a predisposition to malignancies. This research study proposes to collect and store human bio-specimens from patients with suspected or diagnosed RASopathies. Once obtained, blood and/or tissue samples will be processed for: metabolic function studies, biomarkers, genetic studies, and/or the establishment of immortalized cell lines. In addition, data from the medical record (including neuropsychological evaluations) and surveys will be stored to create a longitudinal database for research conducted at CCHMC or at other research institutions.

Background: Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of developmental disorders that affect communication, social interaction, and behavior. Relatively little is known about the relationship between genetics and behavior among these individuals and their close relatives. Researchers are interested in using interviews and rating scales to better understand these issues, as well as collecting brain scan data and genetic samples for testing and comparison. By comparing test results and genetic samples from healthy volunteers, people with ASD, and parents (or caregivers or legal guardians) of the first two groups, researchers hope to better understand the neuroscience of ASD. Objectives: To learn more about the brain in healthy people and in people with autism spectrum disorders. To study genes that might be involved in autism spectrum disorders by collecting DNA samples from participants. Eligibility: The following groups of participants will be eligible for the study: Individuals between 5 and 89 years of age who have autism spectrum disorders. Healthy volunteers between 5 and 89 years of age. Cognitively impaired children between 5 and 17 years of age. Parents/caregivers/legal guardians of individuals in the above three groups. Design: Participants will visit the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center for research tests, which will be administered over multiple visits. Researchers will determine the specific tests to be administered based on the medical history of the study participant. Researchers will study the brain through interviews, tests of thinking and memory (neuropsychological tests), brain imaging with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and magnetoencephalography (MEG). The study will also collect blood or saliva to obtain a DNA sample.

The NSR-DEV study is a longitudinal cohort study of around 280 Neonatal Seizure Registry participants that aims to evaluate childhood outcomes after acute symptomatic neonatal seizures, as well as examine risk factors for developmental disabilities and whether these are modified by parent well-being.

The Rett Syndrome Registry is a longitudinal observational study of individuals with MECP2 mutations and a diagnosis of Rett syndrome. Designed together with the IRSF Rett Syndrome Center of Excellence Network medical directors, this study collects data on the signs and symptoms of Rett syndrome as reported by the Rett syndrome experts and by the caregivers of individuals with Rett syndrome. This study will be used to develop consensus based guidelines for the care of your loved ones with Rett syndrome and to facilitate the development of better clinical trials and other aspects of the drug development path for Rett syndrome.

CoRDS, or the Coordination of Rare Diseases at Sanford, is based at Sanford Research in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It provides researchers with a centralized, international patient registry for all rare diseases. This program allows patients and researchers to connect as easily as possible to help advance treatments and cures for rare diseases. The CoRDS team works with patient advocacy groups, individuals and researchers to help in the advancement of research in over 7,000 rare diseases. The registry is free for patients to enroll and researchers to access. Visit sanfordresearch.org/CoRDS to enroll.

Frailty is a age dependent physiological state of vulnerability. Frailty is screened by the phenotypic model (5 clinical criteria) or the cumulative model (various clinical and biological criteria). Currently, aging with autism spectrum disorder and mental retardation (ADS-MR) is poor described. Nevertheless many data indicate that people with ADS-MR may present an early aging. Principal aim of this study is to determine if frailty in people with ADS-MR aged over 20 years depend on age. Secondary aims are to evaluate frailty prevalence, to describe with details health according to age, and to verify the frailty index validity for predicting falls, hospitalisation and death, in this population of ADS-MR patients aged over 20 years. This monocentric and prospective study will include 60 ADS-MR patients aged over 20 years and living in Languedoc-Roussillon's medico-social care homes. Patients are evaluated at the time of inclusion. Frailty index is calculated from 104 clinical and biological criteria. Furthermore the investigator staff collect data about ADS severity (CARS), adaptative and intellectual functionning (Vineland), and psychiatric and somatic comorbidities (Reiss scale, DSQIID and CIRS). Falls, hospitalisations or death occurrence is then collected every year during 5 years. The connection between frailty index and age will be studied using linear regression. The frailty index validity will be analysed using ROC curves. Modelisation of the falls, hospitalisations or death risk in the 5 years after the initial evaluation will help in identification of the more frailty predictive criteria.

This study explores the relationship between brain development and infants' social emotion and communication ability, as well as the role of genetic factors in it.To provide a theoretical basis for precise intervention of infants' social emotion and communication problems and the overall improvement of brain development.

Background: - A number of rare inherited diseases affect only a few patients, and the genetic causes of these conditions remain unknown. Researchers are studying the use of a new technology called whole genome sequencing to learn which gene or genes cause these conditions. Understanding the genes that cause these diseases is important to improve diagnosis and treatment of affected patients. Objectives: To identify the genetic cause of disorders that are difficult to identify with existing techniques. To develop best practices for the medical and counseling challenges of whole genome sequencing. Eligibility: Individuals who have one of the rare disorders under consideration in this study. These conditions are generally those in which the genetic cause of the disorder is unknown. The eligibility of most individual participants will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the researchers. Family members of affected individuals, if that family member (often a parent) may provide genetic information. Design: Participants in this study will have at least one and in some cases several of the following procedures: A medical genetics evaluation. Other tests that may include x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams, and consultations with other doctors. Not all studies are necessary for each person, but the information from the tests may be required to proceed with some of our gene sequencing studies. Clinical photographs to document certain aspects of the disorder. Blood and skin biopsy samples, or other tissue samples, as required by the study doctors. Genetic testing, as decided by the researchers. However, most participants in this study can expect to undergo whole genome sequencing, which is a technique to study all of a person s genes. Some participants may be asked to take part in a telephone interview and/or a web-based survey. Participants will have choices about what kinds of results from whole genome sequencing they wish to learn. After the tests have been completed and the results of the genetic studies are known, participants will be offered a return visit to the National Institutes of Health to learn these results. During this visit, participants will be asked to complete surveys and participate in interviews related to their decisions to participate in the study and to learn individual genetic test results.

The purpose of this study is to analyze patterns in individuals with hnRNP (and other) genetic variants, including their neurological comorbidities, other medical problems and any treatment. The investigators will maintain an ongoing database of medical data that is otherwise being collected for routine medical care. The investigators will also collect data prospectively in the form of questionnaires, neuropsychological assessments, motor assessments, and electroencephalography to examine the landscape of deleterious variants in these genes.

Evaluation of patient characteristics, involved physicians and therapists as well as therapies in a German University Center for the Treatment of patients with intellectual disabilities and severe multiple disability (MZEB Aachen)