Oral zinc therapy for patients with GNAO1 associated disorders

Prospective Pilot Trial to Address the Feasibility and Safety of Treatment With Oral Zinc in GNAO1 Associated Disorders

Phase 2 Interventional Children's University Hospital Cologne, Germany · NCT06412653

This study is testing if taking zinc can help improve symptoms for people with GNAO1 associated disorders and if it's safe to use.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment12 (estimated)
Ages6 Months to 30 Years
SexAll
SponsorChildren's University Hospital Cologne, Germany Academic / other
Locations1 site (Cologne)
Trial IDNCT06412653 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the feasibility and safety of administering oral zinc therapy to patients with GNAO1 associated disorders. Participants will receive zinc acetate dihydrate for six months, during which their motor skills, behavior, well-being, dyskinesia, seizure frequency, quality of life, and microbiome changes will be assessed through visits and phone calls. The study aims to determine if this treatment is safe and effective for improving symptoms associated with GNAO1 disorders.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals aged 6 months to 30 years with a documented GNAO1 associated neurological disorder.

Not a fit: Patients who have received zinc treatment in the last four months or have other known genetic variants may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this therapy could provide a new treatment option for patients with GNAO1 associated disorders, potentially improving their quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: While this approach is novel for GNAO1 disorders, similar studies investigating zinc therapy for other conditions have shown promising results.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* GNAO1 associated neurological disorder, documented by either

  * Proven pathogenic or likely pathogenic mutation in GNAO1 or
  * a variant of unknown significance in GNAO1 and clinical symptoms likely to be consistent with GNAO1 as determined by the investigators and
  * at least one of the common symptoms of GNAO1: Movement disorder (Dystonia, Chorea, Ataxia, clonic), central muscular hypotonia, epilepsy, global developmental delay
* Age: 6 month - 30 years
* GMFM ≤ 75
* written informed consent prior to any trial-related procedure (according to age and status of psycho-intellectual development)

  * of parents or legal guardian
  * of parents or legal guardian and patient
  * of the patient
* stable on following concomitant treatments for at least 3 months prior to trial inclusion: anti-seizure drugs (ASD); baclofen, Deep brain stimulation settings

Exclusion Criteria:

* Treatment of Zinc in the last 4 months before inclusion
* known other genetic variants that are known to cause symptoms like observed in GNAO1-related disorders, additional to the proven GNAO1 mutation
* implantation of Deep brain stimulation planned during the duration of the trial, i.e. in the six months after inclusion
* start of intrathecal baclofen therapy planned during the duration of the trial, i.e. in the six months after inclusion
* Known allergy/hypersensitivity to the scheduled trial drug
* Concomitant participation in other clinical drugs with investigational drugs or with competing interventions
* sexually active patients who are not willing to use/ not using a highly effective contraception method with a pearl-index \< 1. Sexually active patients, unless surgically sterile, must be using a highly effective contraception method (including oral, transdermal, injectable or implanted contraceptives, intrauterine device (IUD), using a condom of the sexual partner or sterile sexual partner) and must agree to continue using such precautions during the whole study period.
* Pregnant women and nursing mothers

Where this trial is running

Cologne

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 GNAO1DystoniaEpilepsyDevelopment DelayDevelopmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy 17Neurodevelopmental Disorder With Involuntary MovementsChoreoathetosis
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.