Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT06803784

Discovery and Validation of Protein Structural Complexes in Circulating Biofluids As Novel Biomarkers for Early Diagnosis, Prognosis and Therapeutic Management of Patients Affected by Neurodegenerative Disorders

Neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs), such as Parkinson¿s disease (PD), Alzheimer¿s disease (AD), Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) are characterized by aggregation and intracellular accumulation of misfolded proteins, which are believed to play a key role in synaptic dysfunction and neuronal death. Protein structural complexes in biofluids have been proposed to mirror pathological conditions suggesting their use as biomarkers for NDDs characterized by protein aggregation. In this framework, we plan to: i) collect a large cohort of NDD and prodromal patients and healthy subjects using standardized clinical and genetics procedures; ii) apply a novel method based on genomics, proteomics and bioinformatic analysis to map protein complexes in biofluids; iii) identify novel circulating biomarkers and correlate them to genetic profiling and disease endophenotypes, and; iv) validate the biological properties in human brain tissue and dopaminergic cultures.

Recruiting

Interested in participating?

Request Info

Key information

Conditions

Parkinson Disease Alzheimer's Disease (AD) Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Basal Ganglia Diseases Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Dementia Frontotemporal Dementia Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration Mental Disorders Metabolic Diseases Motor Neuron Disease Movement Disorders Nervous System Diseases Neurocognitive Disorders Neurodegenerative Diseases Neuromuscular Diseases Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Parkinsonian Disorders Proteostasis Deficiencies Spinal Cord Diseases Synucleinopathies TDP-43 Proteinopathies

Age range

20 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

About this study

The project is a multicrentric observational study. Institutions involved are:

OU1 - IRCCS INM Neuromed OU2 -University of Piemonte Orientale The project takes advantage from the availability of a large collection of PD samples from familiar and sporadic cases, recruited at IRCCS Neuromed, for which we already collected and stored clinical information, genetic data as well as DNA, serum, plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) for the entire study cohort. induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) are available for 6 PD patients and 5 healthy subjects.

The activities of the Operating Unit (OU1) are:

  • Stratification of NDD patients based on genetics and clinical records;
  • Recruitment of CSF sample of NDD patients;
  • Recruitment, WES and bioinformatic analysis of a selected cohort of NDD relatives (200 samples);
  • Bioinformatic analysis to identify protein structural alterations, candidate genes, genetic profiles and deregulatedpathways (OU1/ OU2);
  • Correlation of circulating complex with PD endophenotypes to identify disease biomarkers (OU1/ OU2);
  • Validation in RBD patients and PD relatives to identify early biomarkers for PD (OU1/ OU2);
  • Validation of the protein complexes in human brain slices and analysis of the biological activity of the most relevant CSF and plasmatic complexes in iPSC-derived mdDA neurons (OU1/ OU2).

The activities of the Operating Unit (OU2) are:

  • CSF and plasma sample collection and storage for patients with NDDs;
  • Stratification of patients based on genetics and clinical records (in collaboration with OU1);
  • Detect alterations in protein complexes in CSF samples (100 samples);
  • Identification and validation of CSF biomarkers for PD (100 samples) (in collaboration with OU1);
  • Validate complex biomarkers using immunochemical or targeted analysis on plasma samples (450 samples);
  • Identify potential drug targetable complexes (in collaboration with OU1);
  • Assess whether proteins with structural changes in the CSF/plasma have those changes in the brain as well;
  • Correlate protein structural information with genetics and clinical data (in collaboration with OU1).

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

  • Inclusion Criteria:
  • Inclusion criteria for PD patients.

For the IRCCS INM Neuromed, patients will be recruited from those affiliated with the Center for the Study and Treatment of Parkinson's Disease of the Neuromed Institute of Pozzilli. Affected subjects will be selected according to the criteria proposed by Gelb et al in 1999. This is a very pragmatic scheme based on the presence of four cardinal signs, the response to a test administration of Levodopa and the absence of atypical signs:

A) Presence of at least 2 of the 4 cardinal signs (tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, asymmetric onset) one of which must be tremor or bradykinesia; B) Absence of atypical symptoms such as: i) early postural instability, freezing phenomena, cognitive deterioration, hallucinations, pathological involuntary movements, vertical gaze paralysis; ii) proven causes of secondary parkinsonism (focal lesions, drugs, toxic substances); C) Documented response to the use of L-dopa or dapamine agonists (or lack of an adequate therapeutic attempt with L-dopa or dopamine agonists).

  • Inclusion criteria forAD patients. Patients will be selected at the Center for Cognitive Disorders and Dementias (CDCD) SCDU Neurology, AOU Maggiore della Carità, Novara. Patients with AD will be included after diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's disease according to the McKhann criteria (2011) and supported by positive biomarkers for amyloidopathy (PET with amyloid tracer or amyloid cerebrospinal fluid dosage).
  • Inclusion criteria for FTD/ALS patients. For UPO, patients will be selected at the tertiary center Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - SCDU Neurology, AOU Maggiore della Carità, Novara. Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis will be included following a diagnosis according to the El Escorial criteria - revised (2015): in this regard, only patients with a definite or probable diagnosis supported by laboratory will be included. For patients with FTD, they will be selected at both centers mentioned above with a diagnosis according to the Rascovsky criteria (2011). In this group, the diagnosis will be supported by negative biomarkers for amyloidopathy (PET with amyloid tracer or amyloid cerebrospinal fluid dosage). For patients with concomitant ALS and FTD, the El Escorial criteria (2015) associated with the Strong criteria (2017) will be used.

Exclusion criteria

  • PD PATIENTS
  • pre-existing psychiatric pathologies;
  • neurodegenerative neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's, neuromuscular diseases, epilepsy;
  • diagnosis of dementia;
  • AD/FTD/ALS PATIENTS
  • pre-existing psychiatric pathologies;
  • previous diagnosis of other neurodegenerative neurological diseases;
  • patients unable to sign informed consent.
  • CONTROLS
  • pre-existing psychiatric pathologies;
  • neurodegenerative neurological diseases such as Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's, neuromuscular diseases, epilepsy;
  • diagnosis of dementia;
  • depression;
  • prolonged intake of anxiolytic, antidepressant, antipsychotic, sleep-inducing, cognitive stimulant drugs.

Treatment and study plan

Genetic: whole genome sequencing

Genetic

Genetic: whole genome sequencing PD Partecipants will be assessed for disease progression: Stadio di Hoehn and Yahr, MDS-UPDRS part III, MOCA test, no motor symptoms, therapy and LID occurrence, Sleep disorders. Partecipants will be subjected to peripheral blood sampling for the purification of DNA, plasma, serum, PBMC and generation of hiPSC. DNA of each partecipants we will analysed by whole genome sequencing by next generation sequencing to identify any variant in candidate PD genes

Whole Exome Sequencing

Genetic

Genetic: whole genome sequencing

AD Partecipants will be assessed for disease progression:

  • assessment of cognitive disorders (MMSE, MOCA test, clock test);
  • assessment of language disorders;
  • current drug therapy (and possible start date of treatment);
  • date of onset of cognitive disorders;
  • acquisition and assessment of imaging data where present (MRI, CT, PET). DNA of each partecipants we will analysed by whole genome sequencing by next generation sequencing to identify any variant in candidate AD genes

Primary outcomes

  1. motor symptoms of PD patients will be evaluated with Hoehn and Yahr (HY) score

    Time frame: 2 years

    The Hoehn and Yahr Scale will be used to measure how Parkinson's symptoms progress and the level of disability. Itincludes stages 1 through 5: Stage 1. Unilateral involvement only, usually with minimal or no functional impairment; Stage 2 = Bilateral disease, without impairment of balance; Stage 3 = Mild to moderate bilateral disease; some postural instability; physically independent. Stage 4 = Severe disability; still able to walk or stand unassisted. Stage 5 = Wheelchair bound or bedridden unless aided.

  2. motor and non motor symptoms of PD patients will be evaluated with MDS-UPDRS

    Time frame: 2 years

    The MDS-UPDRS has four parts, namely, I: Non-motor Experiences of Daily Living; II: Motor Experiences of DailyLiving; III: Motor Examination; IV: Motor Complications. Twenty questions are completed by the patient/caregiver

  3. clinical evaluation of cognitive impairment of PD, AD, ALS/FTD patients

    Time frame: 2 years

    PD patients will be evaluated with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test. This is a test used by healthcare providers to evaluate people with memory loss or other symptoms of cognitive decline. The MoCA contains 30 questions and checks different types of cognitive or thinking abilities. These include:orientation, short-term memory/delayed recall, executive function/visuospatial ability, clock-drawing test.- assessment of language disorders.

    ALS/FTD - assessment of cognitive disorders (and classification according to Strong criteria, 2017); - assessment of language disorders.

    AD patients: - assessment of cognitive disorders (MMSE, MOCA test, clock test);

    • assessment of language disorders.

  4. clinical evaluation of ALS/FTD patients

    Time frame: 2 years

    Clinical classification according to El Escorial - revised

  5. identification of variants/mutations

    Time frame: 2 years

    PD patients: the number of multiple rare (Minor allele frequency, MAF<0.01) deleterious (missense, non sense, frameshift and splicing) variants in PD genes will be counted in PD patients and unrelated healthy subjects. Case-control assoiciation study will evaluate the PD risk.

    AD, ALS/FTD: deleterious variants (missense, non sense, frameshift and splicing) in responsible genes will be considered.

  6. Identification of protein complexes in CSF

    Time frame: 2 years

    Protein complexes present in the CSF of PD/AD/FTD/ALS patients and control subjects recruited in the two Clinical Centers participating in the study will be analyzed by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and by label-free proteomic analysis. The complexes will be separated and fractionated by SEC and identified and quantified by mass spectrometers. Statistical analysis will allow to identify the presence/absence or the different abundance of protein complexes in patients compared to controls and therefore the identification of biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets.

  7. Bioinformatic analysis for the identification of proteins and molecular pathways involved

    Time frame: 2 years

    Through advanced bioinformatics analysis, multivariate statistical analysis techniques and machine learning, proteins and molecular pathways involved in different neurodegenerative diseases and their development will be identified. This will allow us to understand and improve the knowledge of these pathologies and to identify potential therapeutic or diagnostic targets/pathways.

  8. Validation of protein complexes in plasma

    Time frame: 2 years

    The key marker protein complexes identified in Phase 1 will be validated in plasma samples from PD/AD/FTD/ALS patients and control subjects through targeted mass spectrometry analyses and through immunochemical technical analyses such as ELISA, Western blot and immunoassays.

  9. Association analysis with endophenotypes

    Time frame: 2 years

    Correlation analyses will be aimed at evaluating whether the presence of aggregates impacts on the age of onset (AAO), neurological symptoms, non-motor symptoms, as well as the response to L-dopa treatment. In addition, genetic data from PD patients will be integrated with biomolecular data to identify altered molecular pathways. ROC curves will be used to evaluate the diagnostic power of the test.

  10. Analysis of the biological impact of protein complexes identified in CSF on the viability of mdDA dopaminergic neurons obtained from iPSCs of patients and controls

    Time frame: 2 years

    Patient and control iPSC lines will be differentiated into mesodiencephalic dopaminergic neurons using published protocols. Cells will be exposed to protein aggregates purified from patient CSF and the cells' vulnerability to neurodegeneration will be assessed.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Teresa Esposito, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+39 0865915249

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Neuromed IRCCS

Other

Collaborators

  • Università del Piemonte Orientale AOU Maggiore della Carità - Novara

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jan 31, 2025
Registry last updated
Mar 18, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.