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Completed

NCT Number: NCT00688844

Nutritional and Neurotransmitter Changes in PKU Subjects on BH4

HYPOTHESIS: The investigators hypothesize that KuvanTM therapy could influence nutritional and body composition parameters and neurotransmitter concentrations in pediatric and adult PKU subjects.

SUMMARY: Though the investigators know that KuvanTM lowers blood Phe levels and improves tolerance for natural protein in at least half of the PKU (Phenylketonuria) patient population, investigators do not know the full effects this medicine will have on the patient's diet, or what impact the medicine or diet changes will have on the body composition or nutrient status of PKU patients. Since KuvanTM may also help the body produce neurotransmitters, investigators also want to find out if taking KuvanTM changes neurotransmitter levels in PKU patients, and if PKU patients who are benefitting from KuvanTM feel less stigmatized and have a better outlook on life as a result of the treatment.

Therefore, the research study has several objectives. These are to investigate the impact KuvanTM therapy has on (1) body composition parameters of PKU patients: such as lean body mass, percent body fat, bone density, weight gain, and growth (2) dietary changes, and the effect of those changes, on intake of calories and essential nutrients (3) changes in blood biomarkers of certain nutrients (4) blood and urine neurotransmitter levels, since these changes could indicate improved neurological functioning, (5) and quality of life of PKU patients, who may feel less burdened due to the dietary freedom KuvanTM provides.

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Key information

Conditions

Phenylketonuria Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors Brain Diseases Brain Diseases, Metabolic Brain Diseases, Metabolic, Inborn Central Nervous System Diseases Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities Genetic Diseases, Inborn Metabolic Diseases Metabolism, Inborn Errors Nervous System Diseases Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Phenylketonurias

Age range

4 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Emory Hospital, CIN/ACTSI, Atlanta, Georgia, United States

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About this study

BACKGROUND : Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is a treatment option newly available to phenylketonuria (PKU) patients within the United States as the pharmaceutical KuvanTM. This small molecule functions as a cofactor in multiple enzyme systems, including the metabolism of phenylalanine into tyrosine by the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH).

HYPOTHESIS: The investigators hypothesize that KuvanTM therapy could influence nutritional and body composition parameters and neurotransmitter concentrations in pediatric and adult PKU subjects.

OBJECTIVES:

  • To record nutritional biomarkers, body composition, bone density, and measures of nutrient intake in a phenylketonuria subject group at baseline and for one year after start of KuvanTM therapy.
  • To investigate changes in monoamine neurotransmitter synthesis in a phenylketonuria subject group at baseline and for one year after start of KuvanTM therapy.
  • Evaluate changes in quality of life (QOL) for PKU subjects beginning KuvanTM therapy

METHODOLOGY: Investigators intend to enroll 60 PKU patients, ages 4 to adulthood, who are planning to begin BH4 treatment as prescribed by their medical provider. Patients will be given 4 weeks to demonstrate a response to KuvanTM as determined by a drop in plasma PHE by ≥15%. All patients, regardless of response to KuvanTM, will be allowed to continue in the study. All subjects will be followed for a full 12 months while monitoring nutrient intake, nutritional biomarkers, serotonin and catecholamine levels, and QOL. Two-tailed statistical analysis with α=0.05 will be used to compare results between responders and nonresponders, as well as compare follow-up values with baseline measures.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Diagnosed with PKU
  • ability to provide informed consent (or have legal guardian who can provide informed consent)
  • at least 4 years of age
  • planning on trying BH4 treatment

Exclusion criteria

  • Pregnant
  • unable to provide informed consent
  • less than 4 years of age
  • currently taking BH4

Treatment and study plan

KuvanTM Therapy

Drug

BH4 treatment was prescribed by each participant's medical provider, not an intervention that was assigned as part of the current study.

Other names: BH4, Kuvan

Primary outcomes

  1. Change From Baseline in BMI at 12 Months

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 months

    Change in Body mass index (BMI) from baseline of Kuvan study to 12 months post-baseline

  2. Change From Baseline in Bone Mineral Density (BMD) at 12 Months

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 months

    Change in bone mineral density (BMD) from baseline of Kuvan study to 12 months post-baseline

  3. Change From Baseline in Percent (%) Lean Mass at 12 Months

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 months

    % lean mass was measured via dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)

  4. Change From Baseline in Percent (%) Fat Mass at 12 Months

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 months

    Percent fat mass measured via dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)

  5. Change From Baseline in Plasma Phenylalanine at 12 Months

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 months

    Full amino acid panel, including phenylalanine, analyzed in fasting plasma samples.

  6. Change From Baseline in Total Dietary Protein Intake at 12 Months

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 months

    Total dietary protein intake assessed through 3-day food records - calculated as average protein intake (grams/day) in the 3 days recorded

  7. Change From Baseline in Phenylalanine Intake at 12 Months

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 months

    Total dietary phenylalanine assessed through 3-day food records - calculated as average phenylalanine intake (grams/day) in the 3 days recorded

Other outcomes

  1. Change From Baseline in Serotonin at 12 Months

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 months

    Objective: 1 year prospective cohort of PKU patients introduced to sapropterin (Kuvan)to evaluate peripheral neurotransmitter changes across time.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Emory University

Other

Collaborators

  • Atlanta Clinical and Translational Science Institute
  • BioMarin Pharmaceutical

Registry information

Official study title

Baseline Evaluation and Long-term Follow-up of Nutritional Status and Neurotransmitter Concentrations in Phenylketonuria Patients Initiating Treatment With Sapropterin Dihydrochloride (KuvanTM), a Tetrahydrobiopterin Analog.

Acronym: BH4&PKU

Important dates

Study start
2008
Primary completion
2010
Study completion
2010
First posted
Jun 3, 2008
Registry last updated
Jun 8, 2015

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.

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