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Short-Term Behavioral Effects of Cholesterol Therapy in Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome
This study is currently recruiting participants.
Verified by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC), March 2008
Sponsored by: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Information provided by: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00114634
  Purpose

This 10-week study will evaluate and compare behavior changes in children with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) who are taking cholesterol supplementation versus those who are not on cholesterol supplementation. SLOS is a genetic disorder that affects the development of children both before and after birth. An enzyme deficiency in these children results in low levels of cholesterol, which can cause a variety of birth defects and behavioral problems. Typical abnormal physical features of patients include a small head, drooping eyelids, small upturned nose, small chin, cleft palate, heart defects, and extra fingers or toes.

Children between 5 and 17 with mild SLOS who do not have a history of egg allergy or intolerance may be eligible for this study. Candidates are screened with a questionnaire about the patient's age, genotype (if known), sterol levels, symptoms, current treatment and medical history.

Children participate in five 2-week study phases. In phases 1, 3 and 5, all children take 150 mg/kg daily of a cholesterol preparation typically used to supplement cholesterol in patients in SLOS studies at NIH. In phases 2 and 4, the participants are randomly assigned to take either egg yolk or an egg yolk substitute, such as Egg Beaters, that does not contain cholesterol. The study is done at the participant's home, and the cholesterol supplementation and egg/egg substitute are sent to the home each day with instructions on how to take them.

The caretakers can stop the blinded phase after four days if behavior problems occur.

The children's caretakers fill out a standard behavioral questionnaire, the Aberrant Behavior Checklist, at the start of the study and after each of the five phases. The questionnaire is designed to assess the effects of treatment in mentally impaired persons.


Condition Intervention Phase
Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome
Drug: Cholesterol Suspension
Phase II

Genetics Home Reference related topics: cholesteryl ester storage disease Farber lipogranulomatosis long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency mitochondrial trifunctional protein deficiency primary carnitine deficiency Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome
MedlinePlus related topics: Cholesterol
Drug Information available for: Cholest-5-en-3-ol (3beta)-
U.S. FDA Resources
Study Type: Interventional
Study Design: Treatment
Official Title: Short-Term Behavioral Effects of Cholesterol Therapy in Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome

Further study details as provided by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC):

Primary Outcome Measures:
  • Hyperactivity subscale of the Abberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC). [ Time Frame: 2 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Secondary Outcome Measures:
  • ABC subscales - inappropriate speech, lethargy, stereotypy, and irritability; Time of caretake tolerance. [ Time Frame: 2 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Estimated Enrollment: 40
Study Start Date: June 2005
Intervention Details:
    Drug: Cholesterol Suspension
    N/A
Detailed Description:

Smith-Lemli- Opitz syndrome (SLOS) is an autosomal recessive genetic condition caused by a deficiency of the enzyme 3beta-hydroxysterol delta(7)- reductase (DHCR7). DHCR7 is the final enzyme in the sterol synthetic pathway and converts 7- dehydrocholesterol (7DHC) to cholesterol. This results in low cholesterol and elevated 7DHC levels. SLOS has a wide phenotypic spectrum. Mildly affected individuals may have subtle dysmorphic features along with learning and behavioral disabilities. Typical clinical manifestations include microcephaly, ptosis, anteversion of the nostrils, micrognathia, high arched or cleft palate, congenital heart defects, clinodactyly, post- axial polydactyly, and 2-3 toe syndactyly. More severely affected individuals have multiple congenital anomalies, may be miscarried, stillborn, or die within the first few weeks of life.

Dietary cholesterol supplementation in children with SLOS is reported to improve behavior, growth and nutritional status. Based upon observational studies, the behavioral changes reported with dietary cholesterol supplementation occur rapidly and appear to be reversible. Parental reports of improved behavior could be influenced by a placebo effect. Thus, we are proposing a blinded study to compare behavioral changes while the patient is on cholesterol supplementation (egg yolk) versus no cholesterol supplementation (egg substitute).

The objectives of this study are:

  1. To quantitatively evaluate behavior, in a blinded study, of SLOS children on and off dietary cholesterol supplementation.
  2. To quantitatively evaluate behavior in SLOS children treated with egg yolk compared to synthetic dietary cholesterol supplementation.
  Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:   4 Years to 17 Years
Genders Eligible for Study:   Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   No
Criteria
  • INCLUSION CRITERIA:

This study will include pediatric patients, ages 4-17 years old with a biochemical diagnosis of Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome (SLOS). Only mild and classical patients will be enrolled. This study will be open to include SLOS patients regardless of whether or not they are participating in another NIH protocol.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Patients with a history of egg allergy or intolerance will be excluded from this study. Subjects must be well enough to be in a home setting. Patients participating in our simvastatin protocol (03-CH-3225) will be excluded from this study.

  Contacts and Locations
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00114634

Contacts
Contact: Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office (800) 411-1222 prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov
Contact: TTY 1-866-411-1010

Locations
United States, Maryland
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike Recruiting
Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892
Sponsors and Collaborators
  More Information

NIH Clinical Center Detailed Web Page  This link exits the ClinicalTrials.gov site

Publications:
Responsible Party: National Institutes of Health ( Forbes D. Porter, M.D./National Institute of Child Health and Human Development )
Study ID Numbers: 050168, 05-CH-0168
Study First Received: June 15, 2005
Last Updated: October 28, 2008
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00114634  
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government

Keywords provided by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC):
SLOS
RSH syndrome
ABC Checklist
Cholesterol supplementation
Egg yolk
Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome
SLOS

Study placed in the following topic categories:
Lipid Metabolism, Inborn Errors
Metabolism, Inborn Errors
Opitz syndrome
Metabolic Diseases
Genetic Diseases, Inborn
Abnormalities, Multiple
Metabolic disorder
Congenital Abnormalities
Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome
Dyslipidemias
Lipid Metabolism Disorders

Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Pathologic Processes
Disease
Syndrome
Steroid Metabolism, Inborn Errors

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on January 16, 2009