Clinical Trials Logo

Clinical Trial Summary

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a disorder in which the nervous system does not develop properly. RTT generally affects girls, but there are some boys who have been diagnosed with RTT. Symptoms of RTT include small brain size, poor language skills, repetitive hand movements, and seizures. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of two drugs in treating the symptoms of RTT.


Clinical Trial Description

RTT is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by apparently normal early development followed by loss of purposeful hand use, distinctive hand stereotypies, slowed brain growth, loss of language, respiratory irregularities, GI disturbances, gait abnormalities, seizures, and mental retardation. These symptoms appear between ages 6 and 18 months (stage 2 of the disease) following apparently normal development (stage 1). Subsequently, there is gradual stabilization of severe mental retardation and motor compromise (stage 3). The majority (70% to 80%) of patients demonstrate mutations in the methyl-CpG-binding-protein-2 (MeCP2) gene, a transcription repressor located on chromosome Xq28. The disorder predominantly affects females, but a few males with mutations in MeCP2 have been identified, even though many of them do not have the classic symptoms recognized in females.

Recent studies demonstrate increased brain N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in stages 2 and 3 of the disease. This age-specific increase in glutamate levels and their receptors contribute to brain damage. This first study will examine the effectiveness of dextromethorphan, an NMDA receptor antagonist, to ameliorate symptoms. Participants will be randomized to receive one of three doses of dextromethorphan. All participants will be admitted to the hospital for three days at the beginning of the study. During the hospitalization, participants will undergo physical exam, Dexascan, MRI, EEG, behavioral assessment, laboratory testing, and neuropsychological evaluations. Six months after baseline assessment, participants will be rehospitalized for 3 days for similar assessments.

Reduction in choline acetyltransferase activity in RTT patients may also contribute to disturbed cortical development and psychomotor retardation in RTT. Therefore, the second part of the study will evaluate the effect of donepezil hydrochloride, an inhibitor of acetylcholine-esterase, on acetylcholine levels. This portion of the study will not begin until pharmacokinetic data for donepezil in children is available. ;


Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Factorial Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


NCT number NCT00069550
Study type Interventional
Source Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Contact SakkuBai R. Naidu, MD
Phone 443-923-2778
Status Recruiting
Phase Phase 3
Start date September 2004
Completion date June 2008

See also
  Status Clinical Trial Phase
Completed NCT04988867 - An Open-Label Study of Trofinetide for the Treatment of Girls Two to Five Years of Age Who Have Rett Syndrome Phase 2/Phase 3
Enrolling by invitation NCT06139172 - Promoting Prosocial Behavior in Syndromic Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities N/A
Not yet recruiting NCT04014985 - Patients With RETT Syndrome N/A
Not yet recruiting NCT04041713 - A Pilot Study of an Antioxidant Cocktail vs. Placebo in the Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Rett Syndrome Phase 2
Completed NCT02705677 - Biobanking of Rett Syndrome and Related Disorders
Terminated NCT02790034 - Evaluation of the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Sarizotan in Rett Syndrome With Respiratory Symptoms Phase 2/Phase 3
Enrolling by invitation NCT03655223 - Early Check: Expanded Screening in Newborns
Recruiting NCT05932589 - Neurophysiologic Biomarkers in Rett Syndrome
Recruiting NCT04463316 - GROWing Up With Rare GENEtic Syndromes
Completed NCT04776746 - Open-Label Extension Study of Trofinetide for Rett Syndrome Phase 3
Completed NCT04181723 - Study of Trofinetide for the Treatment of Girls and Women With Rett Syndrome (LAVENDERâ„¢) Phase 3
Enrolling by invitation NCT03836300 - Parent and Infant Inter(X)Action Intervention (PIXI) N/A
Completed NCT04514549 - ASSESSING EMERALD AND MC10 BIOSTAMP nPOINT BIOSENSORS FOR RETT SYNDROME
Completed NCT02738281 - Natural History of Rett Syndrome & Related Disorders
Terminated NCT02562820 - An Exploratory Trial of Ketamine for the Treatment of Rett Syndrome Phase 1
Completed NCT05687214 - Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment for Constipation in People With Rett Syndrome N/A
Recruiting NCT06199700 - Esketamine for the Treatment of Rett Syndrome Early Phase 1
Completed NCT03941444 - ANAVEX2-73 Study in Patients With Rett Syndrome Phase 3
Recruiting NCT06346106 - The Diagnostic Experience of Male Rett Syndrome
Not yet recruiting NCT06338267 - Validation of Innovative Biosensors for Rett Autonomic Symptom Tracking