Evaluation of markers in Niemann-Pick Disease, Type C

Evaluation of Biochemical Markers and Clinical Investigation of Niemann-Pick Disease, Type C

Observational National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) · NCT00344331

This study is trying to find signs in the body that show how Niemann-Pick Disease, Type C is getting worse, to help track progress and see how well new treatments might work for people with this condition.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment900 (estimated)
Ages1 Day to 120 Years
SexAll
SponsorNational Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) NIH
Locations1 site (Bethesda, Maryland)
Trial IDNCT00344331 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to evaluate clinical and laboratory tests to identify potential biomarkers that could indicate the progression of Niemann-Pick Disease, Type C (NPC). It will involve medical evaluations, including neurological assessments and biochemical tests, conducted every six months over 4- to 5-day admissions at the NIH Clinical Center. The study seeks to establish a baseline and rate of progression of these markers in NPC patients, which may later assist in measuring responses to investigational treatments. Participants of any age with a confirmed diagnosis of NPC will be included.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are individuals of any age with a confirmed diagnosis of Niemann-Pick Disease, Type C.

Not a fit: Patients who are too ill to travel to the NIH or have rapidly progressive neonatal cholestasis may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to the identification of reliable biomarkers that may improve the assessment of treatment efficacy for Niemann-Pick Disease, Type C.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies on Niemann-Pick Disease, this approach focusing on longitudinal biomarker evaluation is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
* INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Affected Subjects

The following individuals may be enrolled as in this study:

* All patients with a diagnosis of NPC, based on clinical presentation, biochemical, or molecular.
* Both NPC1 and NPC2 patients.
* Patients of any age
* Males or females
* Any ethnic background

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Individuals will not be enrolled in this study if:

* they cannot travel to the NIH because of their medical condition or are too ill to be cared for at home.
* they have rapidly progressive neonatal cholestasis.
* they are pregnant (a negative urine pregnancy test will be required for any menstruating female before participation in this study and at each NIH Clinical Center admission).

Unaffected Subjects

Individuals may be enrolled for data and biospecimen collection if:

* They are a known NPC1 or NPC2 heterozygote and consent to specimen collection (as specified in the protocol) from the carrier population.
* There is no diagnosis or suspicion of NPC disease, and consent is provided to be included in control or caregiver population.

Individuals will not be enrolled for biospecimen collection if:

* Consent is not provided
* They have a contraindication to the method of specimen collection

  * Patients will be excluded from the MRI section of the study if they have a contraindication to MRI or if they do not meet the safety criteria established by the NIH Clinical Center radiology department for MRI scanning.

Where this trial is running

Bethesda, Maryland

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 Niemann-Pick Disease, Type CLysosomal StorageBiomarkersLongitudinalNatural HistoryNiemann Pick Type CNPCLysosomal Storage Disorder
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.