Active clinical trials for "Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome"

This is an open label-pilot study to assess the efficacy and safety of a novel cholesterol-lovastatin topical solution in children with rare syndromic ichthyoses. Often times, these children have difficulty in finding easily applied treatments to make their psoriasiform and ichthyotic plaques more manageable. We propose the use of a cholesterol-lovastatin topical solution as a treatment option with the hypothesis that it will lead to regression of involved areas and decreased erythema and warty-like appearance of the plaques. We plan to enroll children with syndromic ichthyoses over the age of 1 year for a 12 month study with a total of 5 visits and 5 phone calls.

OBJECTIVES: I. Examine the intestinal absorption of dietary cholesterol in patients with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome. II. Measure the effect of dietary cholesterol on plasma sterol composition. III. Quantify basal cholesterol synthesis, turnover of cholesterol and 7-dehydrocholesterol, and the effects of dietary cholesterol on these parameters. IV. Identify fecal bile acid excretion quantitatively and qualitatively in these patients. V. Compare the incorporation of deuterated water into plasma cholesterol, 7-dehydrocholesterol, and other intermediates, and assess the effect of dietary cholesterol on this incorporation.

RSH/Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) is one that causes mental retardation. It is common in the Caucasian population but rare in African American and African black populations. It has been shown that SLOS is caused by a specific defect in DHCR7, an enzyme used in cholesterol metabolism. Studies have already been done to determine the frequency of the SLOS-causing mutations in various geographic Caucasian populations. This study will investigate the frequency of the DHCR7 mutations in the African American population. If the frequency observed suggests that SLOS cases are not being identified in this ethnic group, the study will provide the rationale for future studies to identify these patients. The sample size will be 1,600. The study population will consist of archived biological specimens in the form of newborn screening blood spots from two newborn screening centers, one in Maryland and one in Pennsylvania. Subjects will be of African American ethnicity, including blacks of African, Caribbean, and Central American descent. Genomic DNA will be extracted from blood spots and screened for the six common SLOS mutations. If SLOS syndrome is found, followup will be attempted for the Maryland samples (the Pennsylvania samples will be totally anonymous).

Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome (SLOS) is a genetic disorder (autosomal recessive) caused by an abnormality in the production of cholesterol. The disorder can occur in both a "mild" or "severe" form. SLOS is associated with multiple birth defects and mental retardation. Some of the birth defects include; abnormal facial features, poor muscle tone, poor growth, shortened life span, and abnormalities of the heart, lungs, brain, gastrointestinal tract, limbs, genitalia, and kidneys. There is no known cure for SLOS but recently patients have been treated with increased amounts of cholesterol in their diet. The cholesterol in a persons diet is unable to correct the abnormalities in the patient's organs, but researchers hope it will improve growth failure and mental retardation. This study was developed to answer questions about the causes and complications of SLOS, as well as the effectiveness of cholesterol treatment. The study will enroll patients diagnosed with SLOS, and their mothers. The objectives of the study will be to address the following questions: <TAB> What is the prognosis / natural history of the demyelination in the nervous system of patients with SLOS? <TAB> Do patients with SLOS have other problems concerning the function of their endocrine systems? <TAB>What are the genetic make-ups of patients with SLOS? <TAB>Can further studies of cholesterol metabolism and genetic testing, using SLOS fibroblasts, increase the understanding of SLOS?<TAB>

Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome (SLOS) is a genetic condition that causes mental retardation and other birth defects. This study will evaluate a new prenatal screening test for SLOS.

Background: - Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) is a genetic disorder that prevents the body from making enough cholesterol. People who have SLOS often need to take extra cholesterol, either in food or in supplements, for their bodies to work properly. Cholesterol is very important for the brain and nervous system. Therefore SLOS is highly related to autism, mental retardation, and other brain and nervous system disorders. Not much is known about how people with SLOS handle cholesterol and how taking extra cholesterol helps them. A long-term study of people with SLOS will help answer these and other questions. Objectives: - To study the effects of a high-cholesterol diet on people with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome. Eligibility: - Individuals of any age who have Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome. Design: Participants will have study visits up to two times in the first year and once a year every year after that. Each visit will last between 3 and 5 days. Participants will be screened with a physical exam, medical history, and blood and urine tests. Participants will provide regular blood, urine, stool, saliva, and skin cell samples for testing. Participants will keep track of the foods they eat at home. During the study, they will eat a high-cholesterol diet at all times, except for the second study visit (3 to 6 months after the screening visit). That visit will involve a cholesterol-free diet for 4 weeks. Participants will have special cholesterol tests with blood samples at different times during the study. At different study visits, participants will have tests of mental and physical skills (including tests for autism). They will answer questions about their diet and food habits. They will also have hearing and eye tests, body and bone measurements, and imaging studies. Not all of the tests will be done at every study. Participants will be allowed to leave the study at any time.