Scientists track rare brain diseases to unlock clues for future treatments
NCT ID NCT00029965
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Sep 17, 2026 · Updated 17 times
Summary
This study follows people with rare genetic disorders that cause harmful substances to build up in the body, leading to brain damage. Researchers will monitor up to 200 participants over time using exams, surveys, and lab tests. The goal is to better understand how these diseases progress and find markers that could help design future 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 could lead to better ways to track disease progression and identify biomarkers for future clinical trials.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. It may not directly benefit participants, and findings may not apply to all patients due to the rarity and genetic diversity of these disorders.
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 200 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Feb 2002
- Lead sponsor
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A government research agency
The lead sponsor is the US National Institutes of Health.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
Patients with Lysosomal Storage Diseases and Glycoprotein Disorders.
- Ages
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1 day to 100 years
- 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: Any individual with GM1 or GM2 gangliosidosis, sialidosis or galactosialidosis documented by enzyme deficiency or mutation analysis in a CLIA-approved laboratory will be eligible for the study. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: There will be no exclusion based on race, gender, or ethnicity; however particular ethnic groups may be overrepresented due to the frequency of the diseases in a specific population (e.g., Ashkenazi Jews in infantile and adult GM2 and Roma "travelers" in juvenile GM1). The majority of juvenile subjects will have severely impaired decision-making and even informed assent in older children may not be possible. Children with Morquio B disease are not expected to be cognitively impaired. The children with Morquio B ages 7-11 years will be asked to give verbal assent and ages 12-17 years will be asked to give written assent to the protocol. Some subjects who have reached the age of 18 may need to have legally authorized representative (usually their parents) sign consent on their behalf.
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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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National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
RECRUITINGBethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States
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