Protocol Number: 97-N-0170

Title:

The Nosology and Etiology of Leukodystrophies of Unknown Cause

Number:

97-N-0170

Summary:

Leukodystrophy is a disease of the white matter of the brain. White matter is the portion of the brain responsible for conducting electrical impulses from one area of the brain to the other. Insulating cells called myelin cover the brain and nerve cells in the white matter. If myelin becomes damaged electrical information cannot be transferred properly.

Many patients suffering from leukodystrophies do not fit the description of any of the defined types of leukodystrophies and are therefore considered to have a leukodystrophy of unknown cause.

The purpose of this study is to define groups of patients with leukodystrophies and to work toward finding the cause of the disorders. In order to do this, researchers will analyze patients with leukodystrophies of unknown causes. Patients will undergo clinical, neurophysiologic, biochemical, and genetic examinations and tests.

Researchers believe that by studying these patients and their disorders they will be able to better understand the causes of myelin destruction, and eventually lead to effective treatments for these disorders.

Sponsoring Institute:

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Recruitment Detail

Type: Active Accrual Of New Subjects

Gender: Male & Female

Referral Letter Required: Yes

Population Exclusion(s): None

Eligibility Criteria:

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

1. Candidates for participation in the protocol will be patients of all ages with clinical and radiographic signs of leukodystrophy who do not have a specific etiology despite a previous comprehensive workup. The preceding investigation would have excluded the following: adrenoleukodystrophy, adrenomyeloneuropathy, metachromatic leukodystrophy, Krabbe disease, Canavan disease, a well-defined amino acid organic acid disorder, or a systemic mitochondrial cytopathy.

2. First -degree relatives of patients with leukodystrophies of unknown etiology (father, mother, siblings, or sons and daughters of the patients)

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

1. Refusal to sign the protocol consent form.

2. Candidates who are unable to travel to the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center.

Special Instructions: Currently Not Provided

Keywords:

White Matter

Myelin

Degenerative Diseases

Genetic

Oligodendrocytes

Recruitment Keywords:

Leukodystrophy

Conditions:

Lysosomal Storage Disease

Investigational Drug(s):

None

Investigational Device(s):

None

Contacts:

Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office
Building 61
10 Cloister Court
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4754
Toll Free: 1-800-411-1222
TTY: 301-594-9774 (local),1-866-411-1010 (toll free)
Fax: 301-480-9793

Electronic Mail:prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov

Citations:

The inherited leukodystrophies: a clinical overview

Childhood ataxia with diffuse central nervous system hypomyelination

Leukodystrophy in patients with ovarian dysgenesis

• Questions about participating in a study, please contact the Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office, CC.
• Technical questions regarding the Clinical Center web site, please contact the Department of Networks and Applications, CC.

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Bethesda, Maryland 20892. Last update: 10/14/2004