Active clinical trials for "Syndrome"

The purpose of this study is to determine if a new diagnostic technique, called neuromuscular ultrasound, can improve our ability to diagnose focal nerve disease.

The purpose of the study is to find and follow-up the metabolic syndrome parameters on patients administering atypical antipsychotics.

ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) is a condition of severe inflammation and excess fluids in the lungs that impairs their function of oxygen uptake to the point of needing a ventilator (breathing machine) to help them obtain enough oxygen into the body. Because of the high amounts of gas that the ventilator has to give to these patients, high pressures may develop deep into the lungs and produce complications for the patient. However, physicians sometimes cannot recognize it because it requires special equipment to measure pressure deep in the lungs. The goal of this study is to determine if the amount of this pressure can be calculated using mathematical formulas and the routine numbers provided by ventilators. The study consists on making the conventional measurement of this deep pressure and at the same time calculate this same pressure from other measurements that the ventilator routinely provides, to see if the calculated value can replace the more complicated conventional measurement. The measurements will be done by: placing a small device along the tubing connecting the patient to the ventilator; giving medicines to relax the muscles (if the patient is not already receiving them); and making the ventilator hold the patient's breath for a few seconds to take measurements. This is repeated after the breathing rate of the ventilator is increased or decreased mildly. Risks related to the medicine to be used and the measuring maneuvers are rare but include transient narrowing of windpipes, transiently low heart rate, blood pressure or blood oxygen, and allergic reactions. This is not a treatment. The information obtained during the study will be shared with the treating doctors who may find it useful to make adjustments to the ventilator. The patient may receive no direct benefit from being in this study; however, the findings may contribute to better care for this kind of patients in the future.

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disorder characterized by childhood-onset obesity and endocrine dysfunction that leads to cardiovascular disability and early death within the first 3 decades of life.To assess the significance of risk factors for future disabilities, carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) was measured and correlated with known atherosclerotic risk factors in 27 children with PWS and 24 age-, sex-, and body mass index (BMI)-adjusted controls.

The purpose of the study is to procure blood samples from patients who present to the Emergency Department with suspected ACS (Acute Coronary Syndrome).

This study will determine whether all patients with craniofrontonasal syndrome (CFNS) have a mutation of a gene called ephrin-B1 (EFNB1). CFNS is one of a group of conditions called craniosynostosis syndromes that result from closure of one or more of the fibrous joints between the bones of the skull before brain growth is complete. Because of the premature closure, the brain is not able to grow in its natural shape; instead, there is growth in areas of the skull where the joints have not yet closed. In CFNS, it results in malformation of the skull and face. It is known that the EFNB1 mutation can cause CFNS, and this study will see if the gene change is present in all patients with the disorder. This study includes patients and family members affected with CFNS. Participants have 1 to 2 teaspoons of blood drawn for genetic studies. A second blood sample may be requested for further research. Some blood may be used to establish a cell line for later studies. This involves growing the white blood cells from the blood sample. The cells can be kept in the laboratory to make more DNA or can be frozen for later use in studies of craniosynostosis. Patients may also have their medical records reviewed to relate gene changes to clinical features in CFNS.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the risk of Down syndrome during the first trimester of the pregnancy. The risk assessment is evaluated using early ultrasound and maternal biochemical markers.

The investigators believe that T cells, cells that are a part of the immune system, are what are causing the neurological problems while also attacking tumor cells. This protocol studies the clinical status of patients with paraneoplastic neurological disorder (PND) as well as their blood to understand the relationship between their neurological disease, their cancer, and their immune system.

This study will explore clinical and genetic aspects of Usher syndrome, an inherited disease causing deafness or impaired hearing, visual problems, and, in some cases, unsteadiness or balance problems. Patients with type 1 Usher syndrome usually are deaf from birth and have speech and balance problems. Patients with type 2 disease generally are hearing impaired but have no balance problems. Patients with type 3 disease have progressive hearing loss and balance problems. All patients develop retinitis pigmentosa, an eye disease that causes poor night vision and eventually, blindness. Patients of any age with Usher syndrome may be eligible for this study. Patients who have had eye and hearing evaluations are asked to send their medical records to the research team at the National Eye Institute (NEI) for review. They are also asked to have a blood sample drawn by a medical professional and sent to NEI for genetic analysis. Finally, they are interviewed about their family histories, particularly about other relative with eye disease. Patients who have not been evaluated previously have the following tests and procedures at NIH: Family medical history, especially regarding eye disease. A family tree is drawn. Blood draw for genetic studies of Usher syndrome. Eye examination to assess visual acuity and eye pressure, and to examine pupils, lens, retina, and eye movements. Electroretinogram (ERG) to test the function of visual cells. Wearing eye patches, the patient sits in a dark room for 30 minutes. Electrodes are taped to the forehead and the eye patches are removed. The surface of the eye is numbed with eye drops and contact lenses are placed on the eyes. The patient looks inside a hollow, dark globe and sees a series of light flashes. Then a light is turned on inside the globe and more flashes appear. The contact lenses sense small electrical signals generated by the retina when the light flashes. Fluorescein angiography to evaluate the eye's blood vessels. A yellow dye is injected into an arm vein and travels to the blood vessels in the eyes. Pictures of the retina are taken using a camera that flashes a blue light into the eye. The pictures show if any dye has leaked from the vessels into the retina, indicating possible blood vessel abnormality. Hearing tests to help determine the patient's type of Usher syndrome. Tests to evaluate hearing include examination of both ears with an otoscope, evaluation of the middle ear and inner ear, and hearing tests using earphones that deliver tones and words the subject listens and responds to. Vestibular testing for balance function. Balance testing involves three procedures: Videonystagmography: This test records eye movements with little cameras. First the patient follows the movements of some small lights. Next, while wearing goggles, the patient lies on an exam table and turns to the right and left. Lastly, a soft stream of air is blown into the patient's ears four times, once in each ear with cool air and once in each ear with warm air. Rotary chair test: With electrodes placed on the forehead, the patient sits in a rotary chair in a dark room. Several red lights appear on the wall of the room and the patient follows the lights as they move back and forth. Then the chair turns at several speeds, all slower than a merry-go-round. Vestibular evoked potential: Electrodes are placed behind the patient's ear and at the base of the neck. Seated in a reclining chair and wearing earphones, the patient hears a brief series of loud clicking sounds. When the sounds are on, the patient is asked to lift his or her head up a few inches from the chair. The electrodes record information from the muscles in the neck as the sounds enter the ear.

OBJECTIVES: I. Characterize the natural history, associated features, and severity of symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder and Tourette syndrome in children and adolescents. II. Identify factors that influence the clinical course and prognosis of these patients.