Clinical Research Directory

TREMOR IN CHARCOT-MARIE-TOOTH

Tremor is a symptom that has already been described in many case reports and case series concerning patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. However, the pathophysiology of tremor in this condition remains largely unclear. It has also not been sufficiently investigated to what extent tremor in CMT patients constitutes a relevant impairment of quality of life. This project focuses on a more detailed characterization of tremor in CMT patients using surface electromyography and accelerometer analysis, as well as the collection of individual clinical data, particularly regarding the symptom of tremor, in order to facilitate the characterization and etiological classification of the tremor. In addition, a questionnaire-based assessment will be conducted to capture the impact of tremor on activities of daily living and the associated burden in this specific patient cohort. The entire data collection process will be supported by a clinical examination, which will be video-recorded by experienced neurologists to ensure more reliable analysis. This serves both the characterization of tremor and the illustration of its functional limitations. Where available, the data will be correlated with genetic variants to allow conclusions about possible genetic predispositions or disease progression. As a control group, CMT patients who have not yet reported a tremor will be included.

Observational Study to Observe Variations of Gait Parameters in Patients With Neuromuscular Diseases

This study has the general objective of observing walking parameters during a clinical test to objectively estimate fatigue in patients with neuromuscular diseases. Furthermore, the investigators want to evaluate the feasibility of collecting physical activity in daily life conditions during a one-week monitoring period using a wearable sensor.

Natural History Evaluation of Charcot Marie Tooth Disease (CMT) Types CMT1B, CMT2A, CMT4A, CMT4C, and Others

This is an observational longitudinal study to determine the natural history and genotype-phenotype correlations of disease causing mutations in Charcot Marie Tooth disease (CMT) type 1B (CMT1B), 2A (CMT2A), 4A (CMT4A), and 4C (CMT4C). The investigators will also be determine the capability of the newly developed CMT Pediatric Scale (CMT Peds scale) and the Minimal Dataset to measure impairment and perform longitudinal measurements in patients with multiple forms of CMT over a five year window

Genotype/Phenotype Correlation of MORC2 Mutations

The Microrchidia CW-type zinc finger 2 (MORC2) gene encodes a protein expressed in all tissues and enriched in the brain. It is involved in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, with mire than 30 families presenting MORC2 mutations. Recently, MORC2 mutation have been shown to be responsible for more complex phenotypes like DIFGAN: developmental delay, impaired growth, dysmorphic facies and axonal neuropathy. Different mutations are responsible from a diverse spectrum of phenotype, from CMT to DIFGAN. MORC2 is involved, through its ATPase activity, in DNA repair, chromatin remodeling and epigenetic silencing via the Human silencing hub (HUSH) complex. Our hypothesis is that the hypo- or hyper-activation of the HUSH complex by different MORC2 mutations could be responsible for different phenotypes in patients. The aim of this study is to perform a genotype-phenotype correlation study in patients presenting MORC2 mutations.