Clinical Research Directory

Investigations of Juvenile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis

Background: CLN3, or Batten disease, is a genetic disorder. This deadly disease leads to decline of brain and nervous system functions. Symptoms of CLN3 typically occur between 4 and 7 years of age. They include changes in how a person sees, thinks, and moves. CLN3 can also cause seizures. No effective treatments for the disease are yet known. There is limited testing of potential therapies. Researchers want to study CLN3 more so they can improve future therapies. Objective: To identify clinical or biochemical markers that can be used as therapeutic outcome measures for CLN3. Eligibility: People with CLN3. It must be based on Two CLN3 mutations OR One CLN3 mutation AND findings seen with a powerful microscope Family members of a person with CLN3. Design: Participants will have already been referred to NIH for CLN3 evaluation. If participants agree to do the study, they will: 1. give spinal fluid, blood, urine, and skin samples. They may provide other samples if they were already collected. These may include cells, surgical specimens, and DNA. 2. will be seen by multiple healthcare specialists. Participants may provide medical records or photos. Participants will sign a release of medical records form.P Researchers may send samples or clinical data to other investigators. For research testing, the samples will not include the participant s name. For a test in a clinical lab, researchers will include the participant s name. These results will become part of the clinical record at NIH.

Longitudinal Study of Neurodegenerative Disorders

The purpose of this study is to understand the course of rare genetic disorders that affect the brain. This data is being analyzed to gain a better understanding of the progression of the rare neurodegenerative disorders and the effects of interventions.

Examining Developmental Outcomes of Children Diagnosed With CLN2 Disease

The investigators propose a study to assess cognitive and developmental outcomes of patients with CLN2 that are untreated and receiving cerliponase alfa. This study aims to validate standardized assessment measures to establish a standard of care. The secondary aim is to compare cognitive and developmental outcomes of patients with CLN2 that are receiving celiponase alfa to a natural history cohort. To accomplish specific aims of the study, the investigators will use a multi-method approach to collect retrospective data collected as standard of care and prospective developmental data in children with CLN2 disease. The investigators will use a combination of standardized measures that include direct assessment and parent report of child development. The investigators focus will also include multiple measures of development including language, motor, social-emotional, and adaptive functioning.

Long-Term Follow Up of CLN6 Batten Disease Subjects Following Gene Transfer

This is a long-term safety and efficacy study in subjects with CLN6 Batten disease who previously received a single intrathecal administration of AT-GTX-501.

Clinical and Neuropsychological Investigations in Batten Disease

This study aims to assess the natural history of Batten disease (Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis) by obtaining information about the motor, behavioral, and functional capabilities of individuals with Batten disease. This study will also refine and validate the Unified Batten Disease Rating Scale (UBDRS) as a clinical rating instrument for Batten disease.

UCB Transplant of Inherited Metabolic Diseases With Administration of Intrathecal UCB Derived Oligodendrocyte-Like Cells

The primary objective of the study is to determine the safety and feasibility of intrathecal administration of DUOC-01 as an adjunctive therapy in patients with inborn errors of metabolism who have evidence of early demyelinating disease in the central nervous system (CNS) who are undergoing standard treatment with unrelated umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT). The secondary objective of the study is to describe the efficacy of UCBT with intrathecal administration of DUOC-01 in these patients.

Gene Therapy for Children With CLN3 Batten Disease

This is a phase 1/2, open-label, single dose, dose-escalation clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of CLN-301 (previous NCH Code: scAAV9.P546.CLN3) delivered intrathecally into the lumbar spinal cord region of subjects with CLN3 Batten disease.

Natural History of Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis, Batten's CLN6 Diseae

CLN6 is a rare, neurodegenerative disease that causes progressive loss of acquired skills with motor delay, visual loss, seizures and ataxia. The investigators propose a natural history study of this rare disorder since it is currently unknown. It is important to understand disease progression in CLN6 disease to be able to judge therapeutic efficacy as emerging therapies like gene therapy become available.

Inherited Retinal Degenerative Disease Registry

The My Retina Tracker® Registry is sponsored by the Foundation Fighting Blindness and is for people affected by one of the rare inherited retinal degenerative diseases studied by the Foundation. It is a patient-initiated registry accessible via a secure on-line portal at www.MyRetinaTracker.org. Affected individuals who register are guided to create a profile that captures their perspective on their retinal disease and its progress; family history; genetic testing results; preventive measures; general health and interest in participation in research studies. The participants may also choose to ask their clinician to add clinical measurements and results at each clinical visit. Participants are urged to update the information regularly to create longitudinal records of their disease, from their own perspective, and their clinical progress. The overall goals of the Registry are: to better understand the diversity within the inherited retinal degenerative diseases; to understand the prevalence of the different diseases and gene variants; to assist in the establishment of genotype-phenotype relationships; to help understand the natural history of the diseases; to help accelerate research and development of clinical trials for treatments; and to provide a tool to investigators that can assist with recruitment for research studies and clinical trials.

NYSCF Scientific Discovery Biobank

The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Research Institute is performing this research to accelerate diverse disease research using cells from the body (such as skin or blood cells) to make stem cells and other types of cells, conduct research on the samples, perform genetic testing, and store the samples for future use. Through this research, researchers hope to identify future treatments or even cures for the major diseases of our time.

Natural History and Longitudinal Clinical Assessments in NCL / Batten Disease, the International DEM-CHILD Database

This is an observational study that aims at assessing the natural history of NCL diseases as part of the international DEM-CHILD Database. 1. Patient data are collected from medical records, patient questionnaires and routine follow up clinical examinations with focus on assessing progression in key areas of disease such as motor, language, cognition, seizures, vision, and behavior. 2. A local biorepository of samples from genetically defined NCL patients will be established as well as a virtual biorepository within the DEM-CHILD DB to be able to easily localize international availability of patient samples.