Active clinical trials for "Rett Syndrome"

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a genetic encephalopathy and the typical form is caused by mutations in the gene MECP2. It is a genetically heterogeneous pathology. CDKL5 and FOXG1 have been recently discovered being involved in other forms of RTT. However, at least 5% of typical forms and more other atypical forms are not linked to any of 3 genes known to be involved in the disease. The purpose of this study is to identify new genes involved in molecular etiology of typical and atypical forms of RTT.

Background: Rett syndrome (RS) is a panethnic (affecting all ethnicities) neurodevelopmental (impairment of the growth and development of the brain) disorder affecting primarily females. RS is characterized by the loss of intellectual functioning, fine and gross motor skills, and communicative abilities after a period of seemingly normal development. Caregivers of individuals with RS face many psychosocial challenges. The stressors can be grouped into the following six categories: emotional difficulties, health-related stressors, uncertainty about their daughter s illness, rejection by their social environment, lack of available or competent experts, and unfavorable comparison with healthy children. Researchers are making a significant contribution to the adaptation literature with a focus on family functioning and to the little psychosocial research that exists on families with RS. Researchers hope to narrow down the most important areas on which to focus for intervention strategies in families with RS. Objectives: To describe family functioning, perceived illness burden, self-efficacy, types of coping methods, and adaptation in caregivers of individuals with RS to examine the relationships between these variables and the outcomes of family functioning and adaptation. To examine the extent to which appraisals of being a caregiver of an individual with RS and methods of coping are associated with family functioning. To examine the extent to which appraisals of being a caregiver of an individual with RS, methods of coping, and family functioning are associated with caregiver adaptation. Eligibility: - Eligibility is based on answering yes to the following three questions: Are you 18 years old or older? Are you the caregiver of a child diagnosed with Rett Syndrome? and Does the child with Rett Syndrome currently reside in your home with you? Design: Participants in this cross-sectional research design will answer a quantitative survey that includes some open-ended questions. The cross-sectional study involves a one-time self-administered questionnaire that takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes to complete. The survey will be available in paper and electronic versions and includes demographics questions, measures of perceived illness burden, parental self-efficacy, coping methods, family functioning, and adaptation. Participants also will answer open-ended questions related to the individual s diagnosis. Participants may withdraw from the study at any point up until submission of the survey and may skip any question. Participants who experience psychological distress as a result of taking the survey are advised to contact the researcher. Study coordinators at the various clinics from which participants will be recruited will be notified of the possibility of adverse events and instructed to direct any members who experience distress to the appropriate professional services. Participants will receive a small financial compensation for completing the survey.

The Division of Medical Genetics at the University of Mississippi Medical Center is recruiting parents of children with a pervasive developmental disorder (including autism, autistic spectrum disorder, PDD-NOS, Asperger syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and Rett syndrome) to participate in a study to help determine potential causes of the increasing prevalence of these disorders. The study is being conducted using an anonymous on-line survey available to parents through a secure link. The study consists of approximately 90 questions about the affected child, siblings, parents, and grandparents, which will take roughly 10-15 minutes to complete. Several families will also be invited to participate in a phone interview. Both the survey and the phone interview are conducted using a self-designated code to protect anonymity and patient privacy. No identifying information such as name, date of birth, address, or phone number will be asked. Only questions regarding the year of birth of family members will be asked.

It was proposed to the French Association of Rett Syndrome (AFSR) to perform an extensive biological assessment in a series of 100 girls with Rett's syndrome and carriers of a mutation in the MECP2 gene in order to confirm or confirm to reverse the abnormalities identified previously and possibly, to highlight new biomarkers of the pathology. The analysis will focus on classical hematological criteria, iron markers, endocrine assays, lipid quantification and markers of inflammation. At the end of the project, each family will receive the complete biological assessment carried out on their daughter which will represent a direct benefit of the implication in this clinical research project.

Analyis of the Glutathione Cycle in Children with Rett Syndrome

We aim to describe the communicative and sensory profile of children with Angelman syndrome or Rett syndrome and their use of augmentative and alternative communication. In addition, parents are surveyed regarding parent-child interaction and access to communication support.

Rett syndrome (RTT) is an X-linked severe neurodevelopmental disorder. Despite their good appetite, many females with RTT meet the criteria for moderate to severe malnutrition. The pathological mechanism is barely understood. Although feeding difficulties may play a part in this, other constitutional factors as altered metabolic processes are suspected. Irregular breathing is a common clinical feature, reflecting the immaturity of the brainstem in RTT. The primary pathophysiology is a defective control mechanism of carbon dioxide exhalation that leads to chronic respiratory alkalosis or acidosis. We assume that chronic respiratory acidosis or alkalosis causes derangement of the metabolic equilibrium in RTT females with important nutritional consequences. The aims of this pilot study are to describe the nutritional status of the RTT girls and to examine the consequences of a chronic respiratory acidosis or alkalosis on metabolic processes as a possible cause of impaired nutritional status.

This is a pilot study of the Emerald device in Rett syndrome patients diagnosed with a confirmed MECP2 mutation. MC10 BioStamp nPoint patches will also be assessed with the goal to develop Rett-specific breathing algorithms

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and determinate the functional abilities in Rett syndrome conforming to the established Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI).

Rett syndrome (RTT) is an X-linked severe neurodevelopmental disorder. Despite their good appetite, many females with RTT meet the criteria for moderate to severe malnutrition. The pathological mechanism is barely understood. Although feeding difficulties may play a role in this, other constitutional factors as altered metabolic processes are suspected. Preliminary research showed elevated plasma creatine concentrations and increased urinary creatine/creatinine ratios in half of the RTT girls. The aim of this study is to confirm previous findings and examine the functionality of the creatine transporter in RTT girls. The investigators assume that previous findings will be confirmed, and are due to an altered functionality of the creatine transporter.