The Natural History of TRPV4 Neuropathy
brief summary
The goal of this research is to document the natural history of neuropathy in patients with a confirmed genetic mutation in the TRPV4 gene. The investigators are searching for patients willing to participate in a 6-year long study to document the symptoms of TRPV4-associated disease and their progression over time. Participation requires annual study visits at Johns Hopkins for adult and juvenile participants.
detailed description
Genetic variants in the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 4 (TRPV4) gene are known to cause different forms of inherited neuropathy that can manifest with muscle weakness, sensory loss, and problems with the vocal cords. These different conditions can be referred to as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease 2C, scapuloperoneal spinal muscular atrophy, or congenital distal spinal muscular atrophy. For unclear reasons, the symptoms vary significantly among the patients, from mild to severe impact and from early childhood onset to adult onset. Research has shown that disease-causing changes in the TRPV4 gene cause overactivation of TRPV4, which could theoretically be treated with a TRPV4 blocking drug.
There have been many case reports about patients with TRPV4-associated disease, but never has there been a large cohort evaluation to study the natural history of the disease to document the frequency and severity of symptoms and how they change over time. Understanding the different sub-types of disease and how they progress over time is essential knowledge to design clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of potential treatments.
The investigators are therefore seeking patients with a confirmed mutation in the TRPV4-gene to participate in this research project. It requires annual study visits at Johns Hopkins (Baltimore, Maryland) for adults and pediatric participants. The study is designed to follow patients for six years and testing is scheduled to occur over two days for each visit. Participants will be reimbursed for travel expenses and hotel accommodations, and all tests will be performed free of charge.
Planned testing includes thorough neurological exams, nerve conduction studies, standardized questionnaires, brain MRIs, skeletal X-rays and bone density scans (DEXA), vocal cord and voice assessments, retinal (eye) scans, and a series of tests to evaluate the ability to perform tasks of daily living such as getting up from a chair or walking for six minutes. The investigators will also collect blood samples from each participant to be used for laboratory research.