View clinical trials related to Disease.
Filter by:Based on our current understanding of Aicardi syndrome, the condition is hypothesized to occur due to a genetic change on the X-chromosome. The research team is investigating Aicardi syndrome to identify the specific gene location associated with the disorder. Th investigators are collecting blood and skin biopsy samples from patients and their parents. A permanent cell line is prepared and DNA from the blood and skin samples and cell lines is isolated and then used for genetic testing. The current research includes microarray analysis which which is used to look for duplications or deletions of genetic material, mutation analysis of candidate genes by sequencing, review of medical records to identify trends suggesting possible candidate genes of interest, and X chromosome inactivation studies.
Environmental risk factors for the development of schizophrenia include infections during the perinatal period or later in life with Toxoplasma gondii (TG) being one of the candidate agents. A recent review (Torrey and Yolken, 2003) on TG in schizophrenia and other serious mental disorder reported higher antibodies to TG in patients compared to controls in 18 of 19 studies, one having been conducted by the investigators group. In a second, independent study on first-episode schizophrenia (n=56) and control subjects (n=32), sera were sampled and standard instruments used to assess diagnoses and psychopathology, respectively to screening controls. For the total sample, contacts with animals during pregnancy and age emerged as a non-significant predictors of TG IgG titers. Means of patients' and controls' TG IgG titers did not differ significantly but variances did; a subgroup of patients' titers reached much higher levels than those of controls. Patients in the high TG IgG subgroup were older (p=0.001), also they were older when psychiatric symptoms appeared, more individuals had regular animal contacts during pregnancy, or rural upbringing including regular animal contact, more consumption of raw meat, and a higher absolute treatment response (all trend levels). Regarding the short term course of patients, the investigators detected decreasing IgG titers in several individuals A power analysis demonstrated that results fell short of significance due to lack of statistical power. Based on the power analysis, the investigators propose an opel label, multicenter study at three regionally different sites within Germany (Halle, Hamm, Heidelberg). The investigators intent to study 173 first-episode patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective, and schizophreniform disorder and 173 matched controls. The investigators hypothesize that - according to the heterogeneity of the illness - a subgroup of patients will exhibit higher TG IgG titers compared to the remaining patients and to controls; that this subgroup will have had regular contact with animals during pregnancy and early life as well as developmental delays; and that clinical improvement, response to treatment, and subjective well-being will run parallel with TG IgG decrease. Patients shall be assessed on admission to hospital, at discharge and at 6- and 12-month-follow-up with respect to TG antibody titers, symptomatology, neuropsychology, predictors of outcome, quality of life, and neurological soft signs. In controls two assessments shall be performed, 12 months apart. All foreseen assessments will be performed using standard measurement instruments with sound reliability and validity such as the SCID and the PANSS. Exposure to cats, other warm-blooded life-stock, and raw meat will be assessed using a special questionnaire.
The objective of this protocol is to establish a comprehensive screening process for the evaluation of eligibility for entry in a clinical trial program for children and adolescents with bipolar disorder.
This Sub-registry is a multicenter, international, longitudinal, observational, and voluntary program designed to track pregnancy outcomes for any pregnant woman enrolled in the Pompe Registry, regardless of whether she is receiving disease-specific therapy (such as ERT with alglucosidase alfa or avalglucosidase alfa) and irrespective of the commercial product with which she may be treated. No experimental intervention is given; thus a patient will undergo clinical assessments and receive standard of care treatment as determined by the patient's physician. The primary objective of this Sub-registry is to track pregnancy outcomes, including complications and infant growth, in all women with Pompe disease during pregnancy, regardless of whether they receive disease-specific therapy, such as ERT with alglucosidase alfa or avalglucosidase alfa.
In the framework of the epidemiological study, local psychologists are trained in Butare in carrying out diagnostic interviews with orphans and widows who experienced the Rwandan genocide. With the aid of standardized questionnaires they will assess trauma related symptoms as well as Prolonged Grief Disorder. Under the supervision of clinical experts from the University of Konstanz the local psychologists will carry out a randomized house to house survey (Phase 1). As a second step, a controlled randomized clinical trial will be carried out. Local psychologists will be trained in applying Narrative Exposure Therapy and Interpersonal Psychotherapy. Genocide survivors that will be identified with a PTSD diagnosis will randomly be assigned to either the treatment condition or a waiting list. The treatment group will receive 5 individual sessions of NET in addition to 3 individual IPT sessions. Subsequent 3-months and 6-months post-tests will serve to evaluate the efficacy of this treatment module in alleviating trauma related symptoms and symptoms of prolonged grief. We expect a significant symptom reduction in the experimental group and no significant symptom reduction in the waiting list. After the 6-months post-test, the trained psychologists will train other psychologists in applying this treatment module under the supervision of clinical experts from the University of Konstanz. Afterwards, they will apply therapy to the victims from the waiting list. A 12-months follow-up will serve to evaluate the long-term effect of the NET/IPT combination.
Oral burning can have a multitude of reasons. Recent neurophysiologic study results suggest that a primary burning mouth disorder (BMD) may be a peripheral and/or a central neuropathic disorder. The aim of this study is to first identify patients with a primary burning mouth disorder by excluding other possible causes for oral burning. By means of qualitative and quantitative sensory testing and a gustatory examination in the individual patient the investigators want to find out whether neurosensory differences exist between patients with a primary BMD and controls and whether gustatory and neurosensory deficits always coexist in BMD-patients.
In the last decade cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) approaches for patients with schizophrenia have been developed, which where especially designed to reduce severity of positive symptoms, readmission rates, treatment non-compliance and disability. Although CBT addresses the key problems of early onset psychoses (EOP)treatment and first evaluations of CBT in adults with schizophrenia are promising, no experience with CBT in adolescents with EOP are available. Therefore the present study is conducted to develop a modified CBT (mCBT) for adolescents with EOP, to explore its acceptance and feasibility and to provide data for a realistic estimation of achievable effect size. Patients are randomized to receive either mCBT+TAU or TAU over a 9 month period. mCBT is an individual outpatient treatment of 20 session and 5 psychoeducational sessions with parents. Follow-ups for two years every 6 months are planned.
This is a double blind randomized investigation of donepezil for patients suffering from schizophrenia, undergoing ECT. Patients will be randomized to receive either donezepil or plasebo, in order to gauge whether donezepil has a protective effect on memory disfunction, while patients are treated with ECT. Several parameters will be invistigated at baseline: general psychopathological measures, memory function scales, side effects scales. The same measurements will be taken throughout the trial and one month after ending the ECT.
Argumentation The frequency of post-traumatic syndrome disorder (PTSD) is estimated around 1% of the entire European population. In some specific populations, this percentage increases (soldiers – 15 to 22%, war or persecuted refugees – 80%, post office or bank employees submitted to an hold-up – 17%, firemen – 10 to 30%, emergency care employees – 11%, people who underwent a terrorist attack or any violence – 20 to 65%...) Prevention is yet poor, secondary prevention trying to avoid a post traumatic disorder apparition early after the traumatic event. There is currently two types of secondary prevention : - Mitchell’s debriefing based upon stress and its theories, using cognitive and behavioural approaches - French debriefing (post-immediate psychotherapeutic intervention) based on the traumatism, never realised before second day post event and applied by mental health professionals. The current controversy of the Mitchell’s debriefing leads us to evaluate the post-immediate psychotherapeutic intervention, never evaluated yet. Scientific Objectives Primary objective: To verify that post-immediate psychotherapeutic interventions (proposed after 2 days and before the end of first month post event) decrease incidence, duration and intensity of psychotraumatic disorders at one year, versus a control group. Secondary objectives : - To document the efficacy of these interventions regarding professional, social and familial adaptation. - To identify predictive factors of response to this strategy. Method Experimental Design National multicentered, randomized, single blind study Study Population 330 men or women aged 18 to 65, subjected to a potentially traumatic event (criteria A1, DSM IV) and having presented an emotional reaction (intense fear, impotency or horror, criteria A2, DSM IV). This event must have happened within 8 days prior randomization. Patients treated with βblockers and patients suffering from psychopathologic disorders won’t be considered for the study. Outcome measures Primary outcome: PTSD frequency (on the basis of questionnaire CAPS). Secondary outcome: - Complete and subsyndormic PTSD occurence (CAPS), - Intensity of psychotraumatic disorders (Sheehan scale), - Psychopathologic disorder frequency (CIDI SF), - Evolution of anxiety/depression (HAD scale), - Alcoholization frequency (CAGE scale), - Frequency of somatic adverse events, - Access to health care (number and types of contacts). Expected benefits The post-immediate psychotherapeutic intervention shall avoid psychological disorders apparition or improve its symptoms. This would decrease consequences on personal life (social, relational and professional). The study results will allow a better knowledge of these post traumatic disorders.
Determine if atomoxetine is safe and well tolerated by children with fetal alcohol syndrome.