Active clinical trials for "Neuronal Ceroid-Lipofuscinoses"

This study aims to assess the natural history of Batten disease (Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis) by obtaining information about the motor, behavioral, and functional capabilities of individuals with Batten disease. This study will also refine and validate the Unified Batten Disease Rating Scale (UBDRS) as a clinical rating instrument for Batten disease.

This is an observational study that aims at assessing the natural history of NCL diseases as part of the international DEM-CHILD Database. Patient data are collected from medical records, patient questionnaires and routine follow up clinical examinations with focus on assessing progression in key areas of disease such as motor, language, cognition, seizures, vision, and behavior. A local biorepository of samples from genetically defined NCL patients will be established as well as a virtual biorepository within the DEM-CHILD DB to be able to easily localize international availability of patient samples.

Background: Neurocognitive disorders affect how the brain uses oxygen. They may affect mental development in children. These disorders can be studied with imaging scans that use radiation; however, these methods are not ideal for research on children. Two technologies-functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS)-use light to detect changes in brain activity. These methods are safer, and they can be used in a more relaxed setting. In this natural history study, researchers want to find out whether fNIRS and DCS can be a good way to study people with neurocognitive disorders. Objective: To find out whether fNIRS and DCS can be useful in measuring brain activity in people with neurocognitive disorders. Eligibility: People aged 6 months or older with neurocognitive disorders. These can include Niemann-Pick disease type C1 (NPC1); creatine transporter deficiency (CTD); Smith Lemli Opitz syndrome (SLOS); juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (CLN3 disease); and Pheland-McDermid (PMS) syndrome. Healthy volunteers are also needed. Design: Participants will have a physical exam. They will have tests of their memory and thinking. Participants will sit in a quiet room for the fNIRS and DCS tests. A snug cap (like a cloth swim cap) will be placed on their head. The cap has lights and sensors. Another sensor will be placed on their forehead. Participants will perform tasks on a computer. This testing will take 45 to 60 minutes. The tests will be repeated within 1 to 4 weeks. Participants will be asked to return for repeat tests 1 year later....

Background: CLN3, or Batten disease, is a genetic disorder. This deadly disease leads to decline of brain and nervous system functions. Symptoms of CLN3 typically occur between 4 and 7 years of age. They include changes in how a person sees, thinks, and moves. CLN3 can also cause seizures. No effective treatments for the disease are yet known. There is limited testing of potential therapies. Researchers want to study CLN3 more so they can improve future therapies. Objective: To identify clinical or biochemical markers that can be used as therapeutic outcome measures for CLN3. Eligibility: People with CLN3. It must be based on Two CLN3 mutations OR One CLN3 mutation AND findings seen with a powerful microscope Family members of a person with CLN3. Design: Participants will have already been referred to NIH for CLN3 evaluation. If participants agree to do the study, they will: give spinal fluid, blood, urine, and skin samples. They may provide other samples if they were already collected. These may include cells, surgical specimens, and DNA. will be seen by multiple healthcare specialists. Participants may provide medical records or photos. Participants will sign a release of medical records form.P Researchers may send samples or clinical data to other investigators. For research testing, the samples will not include the participant s name. For a test in a clinical lab, researchers will include the participant s name. These results will become part of the clinical record at NIH.

This is a multicenter, observational study for patients with a confirmed diagnosis of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2 (CLN2 disease), also known as TPP1 deficiency, who intend to be or are currently being treated with cerliponase alfa. Patients receiving or expected to receive cerliponase alfa within 60 days of signing the informed consent form (ICF) may be eligible to enroll in the study, assuming all regulatory requirements for sites that have agreed to participate and protocol inclusion criteria are met. Data may be collected for all or some of the assessments as outlined in the protocol, dependent upon the clinic's and/or individual patient's standard of care.

ScreenPlus is a consented, multi-disorder pilot newborn screening program implemented in conjunction with the New York State Newborn Screening Program that provides families the option to have their newborn(s) screened for a panel of additional conditions. The study has three primary objectives: 1) define the analytic and clinical validity of multi-tiered screening assays for a flexible panel of disorders, 2) determine disease incidence in an ethnically diverse population, and 3) assess the impact of early diagnosis on health outcomes. Over a five-year period, ScreenPlus aims to screen 175,000 infants born in nine high birthrate, ethnically diverse pilot hospitals in New York for a flexible panel of 14 rare genetic disorders. This study will also involve an evaluation of the Ethical, Legal and Social issues pertaining to NBS for complex disorders, which will be done via online surveys that will be directed towards ScreenPlus parents who opt to participate and qualitative interviews with families of infants who are identified through ScreenPlus.

The investigators propose a study to assess cognitive and developmental outcomes of patients with CLN2 that are untreated and receiving cerliponase alfa. This study aims to validate standardized assessment measures to establish a standard of care. The secondary aim is to compare cognitive and developmental outcomes of patients with CLN2 that are receiving celiponase alfa to a natural history cohort. To accomplish specific aims of the study, the investigators will use a multi-method approach to collect retrospective data collected as standard of care and prospective developmental data in children with CLN2 disease. The investigators will use a combination of standardized measures that include direct assessment and parent report of child development. The investigators focus will also include multiple measures of development including language, motor, social-emotional, and adaptive functioning.

CLN5 is a form of Batten Disease, a neurodegenerative disorder in children causing psychomotor regression, seizures, blindness, loss of ambulation and premature death, and has no available treatments. The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical characteristics and natural clinical progression of symptoms in individuals with CLN5. This natural history study is important to better understand disease course to be able to determine clinically relevant outcome measures for use in future clinical trials.

The My Retina Tracker® Registry is sponsored by the Foundation Fighting Blindness and is for people affected by one of the rare inherited retinal degenerative diseases studied by the Foundation. It is a patient-initiated registry accessible via a secure on-line portal at www.MyRetinaTracker.org. Affected individuals who register are guided to create a profile that captures their perspective on their retinal disease and its progress; family history; genetic testing results; preventive measures; general health and interest in participation in research studies. The participants may also choose to ask their clinician to add clinical measurements and results at each clinical visit. Participants are urged to update the information regularly to create longitudinal records of their disease, from their own perspective, and their clinical progress. The overall goals of the Registry are: to better understand the diversity within the inherited retinal degenerative diseases; to understand the prevalence of the different diseases and gene variants; to assist in the establishment of genotype-phenotype relationships; to help understand the natural history of the diseases; to help accelerate research and development of clinical trials for treatments; and to provide a tool to investigators that can assist with recruitment for research studies and clinical trials.

This is a long-term safety and efficacy study in subjects with CLN6 Batten disease who previously received a single intrathecal administration of AT-GTX-501.