Skip to content

Transgenerational Metabolic-Immune Biomarkers of Neurological and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Transgenerational Metabolic-Immune Biomarkers of Neurological and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04322734
Enrollment
500
Registered
2020-03-26
Start date
2023-12-13
Completion date
2028-12-31
Last updated
2026-04-23

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder, Brain Tumor, Epilepsy, Mitochondrial Diseases, Mitochondrial Pathology, Psychiatric Disorder

Brief summary

The study involves up to 5 visits for a fasting blood draw, behavioral assessments, and/or questionnaires. Other samples may be collected when appropriate. This study is currently recruiting. There is no cost for visits or study-related exams.

Detailed description

Mitochondria are essential for a wide range of functions in almost every cell in our body. Best known for their role in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, mitochondria are also closely involved in a wide variety of cell functions such as calcium buffering, redox regulation, apoptosis and inflammation, and regulate metabolism through several mechanisms, including epigenetic changes. ATP produced is essential for many cellular systems. Thus, abnormal mitochondrial function can adversely affect cellular systems by several mechanisms. Given the important role of the mitochondria in cellular function, individuals with classic mitochondrial disease demonstrate devastating symptoms, particularly in tissues that have high-energy demands such as the brain, muscles, gastrointestinal (GI) tract and immune system. Mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to the pathophysiology of more common diseases, including psychiatric diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, neurological disorders including migraine and seizures, persistent systemic inflammation, cardiac disease, cancer and diabetes. Mitochondrial dysfunction also effects a significant portion of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as well as genetic syndromes associated with ASD. One of our goals is to develop a method using the Seahorse Analyzer to measure individual variations in mitochondrial function which can identify children with medical disorders and mitochondrial dysfunction without an invasive muscle biopsy. In order to establish comprehensive profiles of mitochondrial function for individuals with known neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders, we will compare blood, urine, and stool from these individuals to those of healthy, typically developing (TD) children. The relationship between mitochondrial function, development, and behavior will be assessed by performing standard developmental testing. In addition, in patients who have a procedure that produces leftover tissue, we will examine the mitochondrial function in that tissue and correlate it with findings from blood.

Interventions

None listed

Sponsors

Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center
Lead SponsorOTHER
State University of New York - Downstate Medical Center
CollaboratorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
No minimum to 18 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

(ASD): 1. ASD, as defined by either a gold standard measure for ASD diagnosis, the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS); the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R); and/or a comprehensive assessment that is consistent with ASD, in the opinion of the principal investigator. For those the PI believes a prospective diagnosis of ASD is warranted, a formal diagnostic assessment will be scheduled at screening. 2. 0 years through 17 years 11 months of age Inclusion Criteria (TD, MD, Epilepsy, Brain Tumor, Psychiatric) 1\. 0 years to 17 years 11 months of age

Exclusion criteria

(All): 1. History of a significant adverse reaction to a prior blood draw 2. In females of reproductive age, pregnancy or plans to become pregnant 3. Any other historical event/information that may, in the opinion of the PI, be a reason to exclude the child from participation.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Mitochondrial Reserve Capacity measured using the Seahorse XR Flux AnalyzerUp to one yearChildren with ASD will be differentiated from all other cohorts and have a specific pattern of mitochondrial dysfunction that will be different from and comparable to other groups of children in the study (e.g. mitochondrial disease without autism, typically developing, autism with mitochondrial disease, and developmental delay). It is hypothesized that these children will have a more pronounced delay in their development and will have a higher probability for poor developmental and behavioral outcomes. This will be evaluated using a Seahorse XR flux analyzer to generate a maximal reserve capacity value.

Countries

United States

Contacts

CONTACTRichard E Frye, MD, PhD
DrFrye@AutismDiscovery.org844-ADTFRes
STUDY_DIRECTORRichard E Frye, MD, PhD

Autism Discovery & Treatment Foundation

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Apr 24, 2026