Mucolipidosis Type IV Natural History Study

This study is a retrospective natural history study of MLIV. It involves the collection of all participants medical records prior to the date of consent.

First, the study will provide an approximate description of the international MLIV population, which could inform the feasibility and design of interventional trials. Second, the results will be used to create an MLIV specific developmental timeline (akin to the Denver Developmental Screen (Frankenburg and Dodds, 1967)) against which a patient's developmental trajectory pre- and post-treatment can be compared. Third, the study will assess the reliability and validity of the GMFCS and our MLIV specific scales when applied retrospectively. These scales could provide longitudinal, quantitative historical data on the level of function and disability in MLIV patients. The scales could be used as endpoints in future trials or provide historical context for interpretation of treatment effects. Fourth, the study will define the rate of visual decline in patients, which could be halted by gene therapy targeted to the retina. Fifth, the study will analyze the natural history of MLIV associated EEG and brain MRI abnormalities, aiming to establish biomarkers of disease progression. And finally, the study will provide baseline data on clinical measures used to monitor for gene therapy treatment side effects (inflammatory markers, liver enzyme levels, etc.) across the life span of patient with MLIV.

Inclusion criteria

• Patient of any age or gender with a diagnosis of MLIV confirmed through 1) genetic testing and identification of homozygous MCOLN1 allele variants known to be pathogenic, or 2) clinical characteristics consistent with MLIV and one of the following: a) electron microscopy of fibroblasts or other patient cells demonstrating abnormal lysosomal accumulations consistent with MLIV, or b) elevated gastrin levels (pathognomonic for MLIV in the setting of a neurodevelopmental disorder). Potential participants or guardians must be able to provide informed consent (patient assent is not applicable to the MLIV population).

Exclusion criteria

• Patients will be excluded from data collection if they do not meet any of the diagnostic criteria outlined above or they and their guardians are unable to provide informed consent. It may be possible that an initial review of collected medical records by MGH research staff after consent and enrollment suggests a misdiagnosis of MLIV. In this case the subject will be excluded from the study. Research staff will contact the patient/guardians by email and schedule a telephone or teleconference meeting to discuss the decision. All medical records will be immediately destroyed upon exclusion of a participant.