6 Participants Needed

Droxidopa for Dysautonomia in Menkes Disease

SG
Overseen ByStephen G. Kaler, MD
Age: 18 - 65
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Phase 1 & 2
Sponsor: Stephen G. Kaler, MD
Must be taking: Northera
Approved in 1 JurisdictionThis treatment is already approved in other countries

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether Northera (Droxidopa) is safe and effective in young adults with Menkes disease who survived the most severe complications of their illness or adults with occipital horn syndrome (OHS), who have trouble with intermittent low blood pressure and other symptoms of dysautonomia. The outcomes and information from this study may help adult survivors of Menkes disease and individuals with OHS lead more normal day-to-day lives.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that you stop taking certain medications, including any alpha-1 adrenoreceptor agonist, beta-blocker, DOPA decarboxylase inhibitor, midodrine, ephedrine, or any triptan medication.

Is Droxidopa generally safe for humans?

There is no specific safety data for Droxidopa in the provided research articles.12345

How is the drug droxidopa unique for treating dysautonomia in Menkes Disease?

Droxidopa is unique because it is a norepinephrine prodrug that can cross the blood-brain barrier, potentially offering central effects that other treatments do not. It is also effective in increasing blood pressure by converting to norepinephrine outside the brain, which is beneficial for conditions with low norepinephrine levels.678910

What data supports the effectiveness of the drug Droxidopa for treating dysautonomia in Menkes Disease?

While there is no direct evidence for Droxidopa in Menkes Disease, similar treatments like levodopa have shown effectiveness in conditions with dopamine-related issues, such as dopa-responsive dystonia, where patients responded well to long-term treatment.111121314

Who Is on the Research Team?

SG

Stephen G Kaler, MD

Principal Investigator

Nationwide Children's Hospital

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

Adults over 18 with Menkes disease or Occipital Horn Syndrome who have survived severe complications and experience symptoms like low blood pressure when standing or chronic diarrhea. Participants must have a specific genetic mutation, be able to take oral medication, and commit to study visits. Those with liver or kidney diseases, heart issues, hypertension, or on certain medications cannot join.

Inclusion Criteria

I often feel dizzy or urgently need the bathroom after eating, for over a month.
I am an adult with Menkes disease or Occipital Horn Syndrome, treated early and have symptoms like low blood pressure upon standing or chronic diarrhea.
Must sign and date an Informed Consent Form (ICF).
See 3 more

Exclusion Criteria

I am not taking any medication for blood pressure, Parkinson's, or migraines.
I have a history of high blood pressure, heart issues, or bleeding disorders.
I have liver or kidney disease.
See 1 more

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive Northera (Droxidopa) or placebo in a double-blind crossover design for six weeks

6 weeks
Twice daily administration

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • Droxidopa
  • Placebo
Trial Overview The trial is testing Northera (Droxidopa) against a placebo to see if it can safely improve symptoms of dysautonomia such as intermittent low blood pressure and chronic diarrhea in adult survivors of Menkes disease and those with Occipital Horn Syndrome.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2Treatment groups
Active Control
Placebo Group
Group I: Northera™ (Droxidopa) (Treatment A)Active Control1 Intervention
Group II: Placebo (Treatment B)Placebo Group1 Intervention

Droxidopa is already approved in United States for the following indications:

🇺🇸
Approved in United States as Northera for:

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Stephen G. Kaler, MD

Lead Sponsor

Trials
1
Recruited
6+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A 16-month-old boy with autosomal-recessive dopa-responsive dystonia (DRD) was found to have compound heterozygous mutations in the TH gene, confirming the genetic basis of his condition.
Treatment with low-dose levodopa led to significant improvement in his dystonia symptoms, highlighting the efficacy of this intervention for managing DRD.
Compound heterozygous mutations in the TH gene in a Chinese family with autosomal-recessive dopa-responsive dystonia: A case report.Feng, B., Sun, G., Kong, Q., et al.[2022]
In a study involving 12 patients with familial dysautonomia, carbidopa was found to be a safe and effective treatment for severe cyclical nausea and retching, significantly reducing symptoms compared to a placebo.
Carbidopa works by inhibiting the synthesis of dopamine outside the brain, which was confirmed by a significant decrease in urinary dopamine excretion while on the medication.
Hyperdopaminergic crises in familial dysautonomia: a randomized trial of carbidopa.Norcliffe-Kaufmann, L., Martinez, J., Axelrod, F., et al.[2022]
In a study of 20 patients with dopa-responsive dystonia (DRD) who were treated with levodopa for over 3 years, most showed significant improvement in their symptoms, indicating that long-term levodopa treatment is generally effective for this disorder.
However, 15% of patients with TH gene variants developed new motor symptoms during treatment, suggesting that these patients may experience dopamine insufficiency and may benefit from gradual increases in levodopa dosage to manage their symptoms.
Identification of TH Variants in Chinese Dopa-Responsive Dystonia Patients and Long-Term Outcomes.Li, XY., Yang, YM., Li, LB., et al.[2021]

Citations

Compound heterozygous mutations in the TH gene in a Chinese family with autosomal-recessive dopa-responsive dystonia: A case report. [2022]
Hyperdopaminergic crises in familial dysautonomia: a randomized trial of carbidopa. [2022]
Identification of TH Variants in Chinese Dopa-Responsive Dystonia Patients and Long-Term Outcomes. [2021]
The 5-HT2A/2C inverse agonist nelotanserin alleviates L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia in the MPTP-lesioned marmoset. [2023]
[Clinical and genetic characteristics of children with dopa-responsive dystonia caused by tyrosine hydroxylase gene variations]. [2023]
In 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-treated primates, the selective 5-hydroxytryptamine 1a agonist (R)-(+)-8-OHDPAT inhibits levodopa-induced dyskinesia but only with increased motor disability. [2018]
Dopamine receptor agonists for the treatment of early or advanced Parkinson's disease. [2021]
The D1 receptor antagonist, SCH 23390, induces signs of parkinsonism in African green monkeys. [2019]
Effects of dopamine D1 receptor agonists in rats trained to discriminate dihydrexidine. [2018]
Contamination of the norepinephrine prodrug droxidopa by dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde. [2019]
11.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Cognitive and Behavioral Changes in Patients Treated With Droxidopa for Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension: A Retrospective Review. [2020]
12.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
L-Dihydroxyphenylserine (L-DOPS): a norepinephrine prodrug. [2021]
13.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Droxidopa and Reduced Falls in a Trial of Parkinson Disease Patients With Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension. [2022]
Analysis of number needed to treat for droxidopa in patients with symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension. [2019]
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