Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Observational Ages 4 Weeks to 115

Understanding infection and immunity in mitochondrial diseases

Official title: The NIH Mini Study: Metabolism, INfection and Immunity in Inborn Errors of Mitochondrial Metabolism

Run by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) · NCT01780168 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study looks at how infections and the immune system affect people with mitochondrial diseases to better understand their health challenges and how well vaccines work for them.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Ages4 Weeks to 115 Years
SexAll
Enrollment500 (estimated)
SponsorNational Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)
NIH
Locations1 site (Bethesda, Maryland)
StatusRecruiting
StartedDecember 31, 2012
Main results expectedDecember 31, 2099
Registry record updatedOctober 28, 2026
Trial IDNCT01780168 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates include individuals over 12 months of age with a documented diagnosis of mitochondrial disease, as well as healthy volunteers over 2 years of age.

Probably not a fit

Patients under 12 months of age, pregnant or lactating individuals, and those without a local mitochondrial disease provider may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

The NIH MINI Study is a longitudinal observational study that investigates the relationship between infection, immunity, and clinical decline in individuals with mitochondrial diseases. It aims to characterize immune deficiencies and the effectiveness of vaccinations in patients with inborn errors of metabolism. Participants undergo comprehensive evaluations, including immunologic assessments, blood draws, and nutritional evaluations, over a 2-3 day inpatient or outpatient stay. The study does not involve testing new treatments but focuses on understanding existing health challenges faced by this population.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could improve the management and vaccination strategies for patients with mitochondrial diseases, potentially enhancing their immune responses and overall health.

How similar studies have gone: While this study focuses on a specific population, similar studies have shown the importance of understanding immune responses in patients with metabolic disorders, indicating potential for meaningful insights.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
* INCLUSION CRITERIA:

In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study.
2. Male or female, \>4 weeks of age.
3. Diagnosis of mitochondrial disease with documented molecular evidence of disease.
4. Healthy volunteers of any gender and ethnicity \>2 years of age may also be eligible to enroll in the protocol. Healthy volunteers may be from the local community, or family members of patients with MtD.
5. Agreement to adhere to Lifestyle considerations throughout study duration.
6. Ability of subject or Legally Authorized Representative (LAR) to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

Overall, most participants will be over the age of 2 years. Advances in genetic diagnostics coupled with earlier diagnosis of MtD has led to an increasing number of participants who could be eligible within the 1-24 month age range.

Participants with MtD who are between 1-24 months of age may be enrolled on this study on a case by case basis at the discretion of the PI and clinical team. The participants clinical status and resource availability within NIH will be taken into account. The majority of the clinical team, has pediatric experience and/or are board certified in Pediatrics (PI) or Pediatric Neurology (Staff Clinician).

Participants with a hospitalization immediately prior to their appointment date will be rescheduled. Rescheduled appointments will occur no earlier than 2 weeks after the hospitalization discharge date.

The enrollment is requested to be 50/year with a ceiling of 500 participants: 300 MtD participants and 200 healthy volunteers. Enrollment is anticipated to be up to 50 MtD participants/year and up to 30 HV/year. Recruitment of healthy volunteers may be targeted to match age ranges and sex of MtD participants seen.

We may also receive deidentified biospecimens (blood spots, blood samples, serum samples)

from biorepositories such as the National Children s Study, the Mitochondrial Disease Biobank at Mayo, the biorepository at the Children s Hospital of Philadelphia, or the North American Mitochondrial Disease Consortium, to our current protocol. These samples may be used to examine the role of mitochondrial haplogroups, ancient mutations in mtDNA that help define ancestral origins, in mitochondrial disease, as well as nDNA mutations involved in mitochondrial disease. Under an MTA, we are requesting biospecimens for up to 500 participants, which will be stored indefinitely or until use. Our recruitment will remain the same since these are specimens only and not additional participants. For the Mitochondrial Disease Biobank, we mayrequest materials and patient clinical information for up to 500 individuals to help supplement our current cohort.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:

1. Lack of a local MtD provider (For participants with MtD only)
2. Pregnancy or lactation
3. Discretion and clinical judgement of the Principal Investigator

Where it's running

  • National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
    Bethesda, Maryland, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Peter J McGuire, M.D. — National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)
  • Study coordinator: Shannon K Kruk, R.N.
  • Email: shannon.kruk@nih.gov
  • Phone: (301) 451-9145

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

  • Characterizing immune dysfunctions in mitochondrial diseases

    This study is trying to understand how the immune system works differently in people with mitochondrial diseases to find new ways to help them feel better.

    Recruiting University Hospital, Bordeaux · Bordeaux and 1 other locations · NCT06213103

  • Database for patients with Leigh syndrome

    This study is creating a database to gather information from people with Leigh syndrome to better understand the condition and improve treatment options.

    Recruiting The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston · Houston, Texas · NCT03137355

  • Registry and biorepository for patients with mitochondrial disorders

    This study is creating a database and collection of samples from people with mitochondrial disorders to help researchers learn more about these conditions and improve treatments.

    Recruiting at 17 sites Columbia University · San Diego, California and 16 other locations · NCT01694940

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.