Assessing clinical endpoints in children with myotonic dystrophy

Assessing Pediatric Endpoints in DM1 (ASPIRE-DM1)

Observational Virginia Commonwealth University · NCT05224778

This study is trying to find better ways to measure how children with myotonic dystrophy are developing and feeling, so we can understand their condition and improve their care.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment50 (estimated)
AgesN/A to 59 Months
SexAll
SponsorVirginia Commonwealth University Academic / other
Locations5 sites (Los Angeles, California and 4 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05224778 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to establish valid clinical endpoint assessments for children diagnosed with congenital myotonic dystrophy type 1 and childhood myotonic dystrophy type 1. It seeks to include a larger population of patients to determine developmental milestones, measures of physical and cognitive function, and quality of life. The study will also correlate functional outcome measures with potential biomarkers for these conditions, addressing the limited data available on disease progression in affected children.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include children aged neonate to 4 years 11 months with a diagnosis of congenital or childhood myotonic dystrophy.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have a confirmed diagnosis of myotonic dystrophy or are outside the specified age range may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved assessment and management strategies for children with myotonic dystrophy.

How similar studies have performed: While there is limited data on similar studies involving children with myotonic dystrophy, the approach of establishing clinical endpoints and biomarkers is a novel and necessary step in this field.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age neonate to 3 years 11 months at enrollment.
* A diagnosis of CDM, which is defined as children having symptoms of myotonic dystrophy in the newborn period (\<30 days), such as hypotonia, feeding or respiratory difficulty, requiring hospitalization to a ward or to the neonatal intensive care unit for more than 72 hours; and a genetic test confirming an expanded trinucleotide (CTG) repeat in the DMPK gene in the child or mother. An expanded CTG repeat size in the child is considered greater than 200 repeats or E1-E4 classification (E1= 200-500, E2=500-1,000, E3=1,000-1,500, E4\>1,500).
* Guardian is willing and able to sign consent and follow study procedures

Exclusion Criteria:

* Any other non-DM1 illness that would interfere with the ability or results of the study in the opinion of the site investigator
* Significant trauma within one month
* Internal metal or devices (exclusion for DEXA component)
* History of bleeding disorder or platelet count \<50,000
* History of reaction to local anesthetic

Where this trial is running

Los Angeles, California and 4 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Congenital Myotonic DystrophyCDMClinical ResearchMyotonic dystrophy
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.