CompletedNot Applicable

Clinical and Genetic Studies on Holoprosencephaly

United States256 participantsStarted 2004-01-23

Plain-language summary

This study will examine how holoprosencephaly (HPE) affects people, how they change over time, and what genes may be involved in the cause of the disorder. HPE is a defect of brain development in utero in which the forebrain fails to sufficiently divide into two hemispheres, resulting in a single-lobed brain and skull and facial malformations. In most cases, the defects are so severe that babies die before birth. There are three classifications of HPE. In alobar HPE the brain does not divide at all; this form is usually associated with severe facial deformities. In semilobar HPE the hemispheres divide somewhat, causing an intermediate form of the disorder. In lobar HPE, the mildest form, separation of hemispheres is nearly normal. Patients with HPE and their direct blood relatives may participate in this study. Patients are seen by a team of medical specialists at the NIH Clinical Center for the following procedures: * Physical and neurological examination * Eye examination * Imaging studies, such as echocardiogram, abdominal ultrasound, brain MRI * Electroencephalogram (EEG) * Hearing evaluation * Blood and urine samples for genetic and endocrine studies, routine blood chemistries, urinalysis, and urine electrolytes * Other consultations as needed * Possibly photographs, including front and side views of the face and other body parts that may be involved in HPE, such as the eyes, teeth, hands, and feet Parents will be asked questions about the child's prenatal, birth, newborn, and past medical history, growth, behavior and development, and therapy and medication. Because HPE is a genetic disorder and gene changes can be passed on in a family, parents will also be asked to undergo the following procedures: * Completion of a medical and family history form * Physical and neurological examination * Blood and urine samples (for mothers only) * Specialty consultations as indicated * Possibly photographs, including front and side views of the face and other body parts that may be involved in HPE, such as the eyes, teeth, hands, and feet * Psychosocial study. Some parents will be asked to participate in a telephone interview or complete a questionnaire, or both, about their attitudes, beliefs, and concerns about how they and their family cope with their child's condition. Some questionnaires may include questions about aspects of their marriage and personal feelings and experiences. Parents will meet with a doctor and a genetics nurse to discuss the results of the tests and answer questions. Parents may be asked to bring their child back to the NIH after 2 years for follow-up examination and possible additional or repeat testing. ...

Who can participate

Age range

1 Month

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria

. Depending on their willingness to participate, subjects may enroll in DNA laboratory-only (98-HG-0249), psychosocial-only, or clinical-only. However, to conserve resources and meet study objectives, subjects with known mutations will be given priority in selection for extensive clinical studies. All races and genders are known to be at risk for HPE, anywhere in the world. Nationality or place of origin is not specific barrier to participation.
. Direct blood relatives (typically parents, and occasionally siblings of affected individuals) of patients with HPE are also eligible to participate.

Exclusion criteria

. Anyone unwilling to provide informed consent (for themselves as adults, or on behalf of their children as minors) or assent.
. Medical condition(s) or mental retardation are not in themselves reason for exclusion if in the judgment of the referring physician this would involve no more than minimal risk. We anticipate that children with mental handicaps would be included in the research population. We will make every effort to explain the study for the purpose of assent in a manner that the family feels is both age and developmentally appropriate for that child.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

To characterize the physical, developmental, neurologic, endocrinologic and radiologic phenotype of HPE through this comprehensive natural history study.

Timeframe: Once with possible followup at Year 2

To examine the spectrum of clinical characteristics of HPE and facilitate early clinical recognition, diagnostic confirmation, anticipatory management, prognostication, and proper genetic counseling.

Timeframe: Once with possible followup at Year 2

To determine the spectrum of non-neurologic anomalies resulting from mutations in HPE-associated genes /pathways both in individuals with HPE and individuals without HPE.

Timeframe: Once with possible followup at Year 2

To assess the psychosocial impact of HPE on the family system.

Timeframe: Once with possible followup at Year 2

Trial details

NCT IDNCT00088426

SponsorNational Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)

Sponsor typeNIH

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2020-03-16

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Holoprosencephaly trials

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Age range

1 Month

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria

. Depending on their willingness to participate, subjects may enroll in DNA laboratory-only (98-HG-0249), psychosocial-only, or clinical-only. However, to conserve resources and meet study objectives, subjects with known mutations will be given priority in selection for extensive clinical studies. All races and genders are known to be at risk for HPE, anywhere in the world. Nationality or place of origin is not specific barrier to participation.
. Direct blood relatives (typically parents, and occasionally siblings of affected individuals) of patients with HPE are also eligible to participate.

Exclusion criteria

. Anyone unwilling to provide informed consent (for themselves as adults, or on behalf of their children as minors) or assent.
. Medical condition(s) or mental retardation are not in themselves reason for exclusion if in the judgment of the referring physician this would involve no more than minimal risk. We anticipate that children with mental handicaps would be included in the research population. We will make every effort to explain the study for the purpose of assent in a manner that the family feels is both age and developmentally appropriate for that child.

What they're measuring

To characterize the physical, developmental, neurologic, endocrinologic and radiologic phenotype of HPE through this comprehensive natural history study.

Timeframe: Once with possible followup at Year 2

To examine the spectrum of clinical characteristics of HPE and facilitate early clinical recognition, diagnostic confirmation, anticipatory management, prognostication, and proper genetic counseling.

Timeframe: Once with possible followup at Year 2

To determine the spectrum of non-neurologic anomalies resulting from mutations in HPE-associated genes /pathways both in individuals with HPE and individuals without HPE.

Timeframe: Once with possible followup at Year 2

To assess the psychosocial impact of HPE on the family system.

Timeframe: Once with possible followup at Year 2