Massive gene hunt aims to solve medical mysteries for thousands with rare diseases
NCT ID NCT02743845
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study at Boston Children's Hospital is enrolling up to 10,000 people with rare or undiagnosed conditions, along with their family members. Researchers will analyze DNA samples to find the genetic causes of these illnesses. The goal is to improve diagnosis and understanding of rare diseases, which could eventually lead to better treatments.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this research could lead to better diagnosis and, eventually, new treatments for rare genetic diseases.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. Finding a genetic cause does not guarantee a cure or therapy, and results may take years.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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About 10,000 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Start date
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Feb 2010
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2030
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
Individuals with a rare or unknown but presumed genetic diagnosis and their family members.
- Ages
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Children (under 18), adults (18 to 64) and older adults (65 and over)
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Having a known or uncertain rare diagnosis which may have a poorly understood genetic component and/or be a relative to a person with such a diagnosis Exclusion Criteria: * Not having such a diagnosis and/or not being related to such an individual
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Boston Children's Hospital
RECRUITINGBoston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can a structured handoff improve care for rare hormone disorders?
- A cartoon-style program may help children with rare diseases understand their condition and boost mental health
- AI could shorten the long road to a rare disease diagnosis
- AI vs. rare diseases: can a computer Out-Diagnose doctors?
- Scientists analyze genetic markers in stored samples to boost personalized medicine
- AI reads faces to diagnose rare genetic diseases