Measuring Levels of SMN in Blood Samples of SMA Patients
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Purpose
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a disorder that affects the motor neurons. SMA is caused by a mutation in a part of the DNA called the survival motor neuron (SMN1) gene, which normally produces a protein called SMN. Because of their gene mutation, people with SMA make less SMN protein, which results in the loss of motor neurons. SMA symptoms may be improved by increasing the levels of SMN protein. The purpose of this study is to determine whether a drug called a histone deacetylase inhibitor can increase SMN levels.
After undergoing a general medical and neurological evaluation, study participants will donate a blood sample. Researchers will use this sample to measure SMN levels. They will also isolate cells from the blood and treat the cells with various drugs that may increase SMN levels.
| Condition |
|---|
|
Spinal Muscular Atrophy |
| Study Type: | Observational |
| Official Title: | SMN Levels in Peripheral Blood Samples of SMA Patients and the Effects of Pharmacological Compounds In Vitro |
| Enrollment: | 68 |
| Study Start Date: | May 2003 |
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a currently untreatable, autosomal recessive motor neuron disease that is caused by deficiency of full-length survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. One promising therapeutic approach to SMA is to pharmacologically increase full-length SMN protein levels. Several compounds have been shown to increase SMN levels in immortalized cell lines derived from SMA patients. The objective of this study is to determine baseline SMN levels in primary peripheral blood cells of SMA patients and heterozygous carriers compared to unaffected controls and to investigate the effects in vitro of pharmacological compounds that are expected to increase SMN levels. It is anticipated that these studies will provide further evidence to support the use of one or more of these compounds in a clinical trial for SMA patients. The study population will include patients with genetically proven type I, II, or III SMA and their family members. Blood samples from anonymous, unaffected control patients will be obtained through the department of transfusion medicine (99-CC-0168). This is an investigative study that involves blood drawing only. No new therapy will be provided except the standard of care.
Eligibility| Ages Eligible for Study: | 2 Years and older |
| Genders Eligible for Study: | Both |
| Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
- INCLUSION CRITERIA:
Diagnosis of SMA with genetically proven mutations in the SMN1 gene or unaffected family members (age greater than or equal to 2 years).
No exposure to valproic acid or any other HDAC inhibitors for a period of at least 2 weeks.
Written, informed consent (and assent, if applicable).
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
History of valproic acid or other HDAC inhibitor use within the past14 days.
History of bleeding disorder, which would make a blood draw unsafe.
Contacts and Locations| United States, Maryland | |
| National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike | |
| Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892 | |
| Principal Investigator: | Kenneth H Fischbeck, M.D. | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) |
More Information
Additional Information:
Publications:
| ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00061607 History of Changes |
| Other Study ID Numbers: | 030203, 03-N-0203 |
| Study First Received: | May 29, 2003 |
| Last Updated: | April 9, 2013 |
| Health Authority: | United States: Federal Government |
Keywords provided by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC):
|
Motor Neuron Disease Neuromuscular Disease Histone Deacytelase Inhibitors Spinal Muscular Atrophy SMA |
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
|
Muscular Atrophy Muscular Atrophy, Spinal Atrophy Neuromuscular Manifestations Neurologic Manifestations Nervous System Diseases Pathological Conditions, Anatomical |
Signs and Symptoms Spinal Cord Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Motor Neuron Disease Neurodegenerative Diseases Neuromuscular Diseases |
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on May 21, 2013