Rett SyndromePhase 2PCTDMRTTNCT01520363
Placebo Controlled Trial of Dextromethorphan in Rett Syndrome
A Phase 2 study testing dextromethorphan in people with Rett Syndrome, run by Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc. at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
Dr. Sakkubai Naidu, Principal Investigator, is initiating a double blinded placebo controlled clinical drug trial using dextromethorphan (DM) in Rett Syndrome (RTT), at the Pediatric Clinical Research Unit (PCRU) of the Johns Hopkins Hospital/Kennedy Krieger Institute. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 1 year to 10 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Rett Syndrome
- What is being tested?
- dextromethorphan
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 57 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- Mar 2012to 26 Oct 2016
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 1 year to 10 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Who may be able to join
- males and females who have classic or atypical RTT with a proven mutation in the MECP2 gene;
- subjects must be between one year - 10 years of age.
Who cannot join
- those without an established mutation in the MECP2 gene;
- those with mutations in the MECP2 gene but who have had brain resection or surgical intervention; for example, tumor, hydrocephalus, severe head trauma; or, an associated severe medical illnesses such as vasculopathies, malignancies, diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, etc;
- those on medications that could interact with DM, e.g. MAO inhibitors, SSRI, sibutramine etc. to avoid a serotonin syndrome; quinidine and drugs metabolized by the CYP450 isoform CYP2D6 (e.g. amiodarone, haloperidol, propafenone, thioridazine);
- those proven to be intermediate or slow metabolizers of DM;
- those with reported adverse reactions to DM;
- those whose pregnancy test is positive;
- those showing poor compliance with any aspect of the study;
- foster children.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
The Johns Hopkins Institute for Clinical and Translational Research
Baltimore, Maryland, 21287
About this study
Dr. Sakkubai Naidu, Principal Investigator, is initiating a double blinded placebo controlled clinical drug trial using dextromethorphan (DM) in Rett Syndrome (RTT), at the Pediatric Clinical Research Unit (PCRU) of the Johns Hopkins Hospital/Kennedy Krieger Institute. Funding source , FDA-00PD
It has been shown that receptors for a certain brain chemical called glutamate, in particular the NMDA type, are increased in the brain of young RTT patients (<10 years of age). This chemical and its receptors, when in excess, cause harmful over-stimulation of nerve cells in the brain, contributing in part to the seizures, behavioral problems, and learning disabilities in RTT.
The investigators propose to initiate a specific treatment using DM to counter/block the effects of this brain chemical and its excessive receptors to improve the ill effects of increased glutamate/NMDA receptors, because of DM's identified ability to block NMDA receptors. DM is available for human consumption. Infants and children with respiratory infections and cough, as well as non-ketotic hyperglycinemia, are treated with DM, which has been well tolerated.
Read the detailed description
The study will last for 3 months and will be limited to MECP2 mutation-positive children, one year - 9.99 years of age. This clinical trial, which is a placebo-controlled study, will randomize patients to the drug or placebo to determine the benefits of DM vs placebo on cognition, behavior, or seizures if present.
Your child will stay twice in the Pediatric Clinical Research Unit (PCRU) at Johns Hopkins ICTR, for 3 days during each admission. The first hospital stay will be for 3 days, before she starts the DM or placebo. The follow-up 3-day hospital stay will be 3 months after she starts taking DM or placebo. There will also be two interim follow up evaluations at 2 weeks and 1 month after she starts taking the DM or placebo consisting of a neurological evaluation, EKG, and blood work, which can take place at your local doctor's office or at Johns Hopkins, and will be paid for by this study. Our research nurse or research associate will contact you at least weekly during the first month, and at least monthly thereafter until the end of the 3-month study.
- Conditions
- Rett Syndrome
- Being tested
- dextromethorphan, placebo
- Keywords
- Rett syndrome, RTT, MECP2, dextromethorphan, DM
- Medical subject headings
- Rett Syndrome
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
dextromethorphanDrug
Also called Delsym
The DM group will take 5mg/kg/day orally in 2 divided doses 12 hours apart for the 3 month period of the study. The pharmacists will dispense the DM to the study participants.
placeboDrug
The placebo will be dispensed to equal the volume of DM of 5mg/kg/day. It is taken orally in 2 divided doses 12 hours apart during the study period of 3 months. The Research pharmacist will dispense the placebo to the participants.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Study drug-dextromethorphan (DM) | Active comparator | MECP2 mutation positive subjects randomized to receive DM Receives: Drug: dextromethorphan |
| Placebo group | Placebo comparator | MECP2 positive subjects randomized to the placebo compound Receives: Drug: placebo |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Mullen; Visual Reception Sub-scale Scores, Pre- and Post-Intervention
The Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MULLEN) Visual reception subscale raw scores range from Minimum=0 to Maximum=50. A higher score is a better outcome. Age equivalents from 1 month to 70 months can be computed for each subscale separately.
Measured: Initial evaluation and at the end of the 3 month trial
Change in Mullen; Fine Motor Sub-scale Scores, Pre- and Post-Intervention
The Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MULLEN) Fine motor scale raw scores range from Minimum=0 to Maximum=49. A higher score is a better outcome. Age equivalents from 1 month to 70 months can be computed for each subscale separately.
Measured: Baseline and 3 months
Change in Mullen; Receptive Language Subscale Scores, Pre- and Post-Intervention
The Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MULLEN) Receptive Language scale raw scores range from Minimum=0 to Maximum=50. A higher score is a better outcome. Age equivalents from 1 month to 70 months can be computed for each subscale separately.
Measured: Baseline and 3 months
Change in Mullen, Expressive Language Sub-scale Scores, Pre- and Post-Intervention
The Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MULLEN) Expressive Language scale raw scores range from Minimum=0 to Maximum=50. A higher score is a better outcome. Age equivalents from 1 month to 70 months can be computed for each subscale separately.
Measured: Baseline and 3 months
Secondary outcomes (6)
Change in VABS: Motor Skills Domain Scores, Pre- and Post-Intervention
Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-II (VABS): Motor Skills Domain Scores individual items are scored on a Likert scale from 2=Usually, 1=Sometimes or Partially, 0= Seldom or Never. Motor Skills Domain raw scores range from: Minimum=0 to Maximum=100. A higher score is a better outcome.
Measured: Baseline evaluation and at the end of the 3 month study
Change in VABS:Daily Living Skills Domain Scores, Pre- and Post-Intervention
Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-II (VABS): Daily Living Skills Domain individual items are scored on a Likert scale from 2=Usually, 1=Sometimes or Partially, 0= Seldom or Never. The Daily Living Skills Domain measures personal behavior as well as domestic and community interaction skills. Daily Living Skills Domain raw scores range from Minimum=0 to Maximum=218.
Measured: Baseline and at the end of the 3 month trial
Change in VABS: Socialization Domain Scores, Pre- and Post-Intervention
Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-II (VABS): Socialization Domain. Critical behaviors are scored on a Likert scale from 2=Usually, 1=Sometimes or Partially, 0= Seldom or Never. Socialization Domain raw scores range from: Minimum=0 to Maximum=152. A higher score is a better outcome.
Measured: Baseline and at the end of the 3 month trial
Change in VABS:Communication Domain Scores, Pre- and Post-Intervention
Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS)-II Communication Domain Scores. The Communication Domain evaluates the receptive, expressive, and written communication skills of the child. Critical behaviors in each Subdomain item are rated as 2=Usually, 1=Sometimes or Partially, 0= Seldom or Never. Communication Domain raw scores range from: Minimum=0 to Maximum=198. A higher score is a better outcome.
Measured: Baseline and at the end of the 3 month trial
Change in Ghuman-Folstein Screen for Social Interaction (SSI) Score, Pre- and Post-Intervention.
The Ghuman-Folstein Screen for Social Interaction (SSI) assesses the change in behavior and temperament dysregulation as a total score.
The score ranges from 0-162, with 0 being most Impaired /has the strongest autism features and 162 having no impairment/no autism features.
Measured: Initial evaluation and at the end of the 3 month study. The test lasts 45 minutes
Change in Rett Syndrome Behavior Questionnaire Score, Pre- and Post-Intervention
The Rett Syndrome Behavior Questionnaire (RSBQ) total score was assessed. The total score ranges from 0 to 90, with 0 exhibiting no Rett syndrome related symptoms and 90 showing the greatest amount of symptoms (worse outcome).
Measured: Initial evaluation and at the end of the 3 month study
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted27 Jan 2012 (estimated)
- Study startMar 2012
- Primary completion26 Oct 2016
- Study completion26 Oct 2016
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Other trials for Rett SyndromeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 57 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc.
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- The Johns Hopkins Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR)
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, SakkuBai Naidu, M.D., Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc.
- Investigators
- Sakkubai R Naidu, MD, Principal investigator, The Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins SOM
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01520363
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- FD-004247-01
- Acronym
- PCTDMRTT
- Status last verified
- Nov 2018
- First submitted
- 25 Jan 2012
- Last updated
- 4 Dec 2018
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Dec 2018. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Placebo Controlled Trial of Dextromethorphan in Rett Syndrome
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01520363
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PCTDMRTT / FD-004247-01
- Conditions
- Rett Syndrome
- Keywords
- Rett syndrome, RTT, MECP2, dextromethorphan, DM
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 57 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc.University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- The Johns Hopkins Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR)
- Study start
- Mar 2012 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 26 Oct 2016 (actual)
- Study completion
- 26 Oct 2016 (actual)
- First posted
- 27 Jan 2012 (estimated)
- Results
- Posted 23 Oct 2018
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Dr. Sakkubai Naidu, Principal Investigator, is initiating a double blinded placebo controlled clinical drug trial using dextromethorphan (DM) in Rett Syndrome (RTT), at the Pediatric Clinical Research Unit (PCRU) of the Johns Hopkins Hospital/Kennedy Krieger Institute. Funding source , FDA-00PD
It has been shown that receptors for a certain brain chemical called glutamate, in particular the NMDA type, are increased in the brain of young RTT patients (<10 years of age). This chemical and its receptors, when in excess, cause harmful over-stimulation of nerve cells in the brain, contributing in part to the seizures, behavioral problems, and learning disabilities in RTT.
The investigators propose to initiate a specific treatment using DM to counter/block the effects of this brain chemical and its excessive receptors to improve the ill effects of increased glutamate/NMDA receptors, because of DM's identified ability to block NMDA receptors. DM is available for human consumption. Infants and children with respiratory infections and cough, as well as non-ketotic hyperglycinemia, are treated with DM, which has been well tolerated.
Detailed description
The study will last for 3 months and will be limited to MECP2 mutation-positive children, one year - 9.99 years of age. This clinical trial, which is a placebo-controlled study, will randomize patients to the drug or placebo to determine the benefits of DM vs placebo on cognition, behavior, or seizures if present.
Your child will stay twice in the Pediatric Clinical Research Unit (PCRU) at Johns Hopkins ICTR, for 3 days during each admission. The first hospital stay will be for 3 days, before she starts the DM or placebo. The follow-up 3-day hospital stay will be 3 months after she starts taking DM or placebo. There will also be two interim follow up evaluations at 2 weeks and 1 month after she starts taking the DM or placebo consisting of a neurological evaluation, EKG, and blood work, which can take place at your local doctor's office or at Johns Hopkins, and will be paid for by this study. Our research nurse or research associate will contact you at least weekly during the first month, and at least monthly thereafter until the end of the 3-month study.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Quadruple blind (participant, care provider, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Study drug-dextromethorphan (DM) | Active comparator | Drug: dextromethorphanMECP2 mutation positive subjects randomized to receive DM |
| Placebo group | Placebo comparator | Drug: placeboMECP2 positive subjects randomized to the placebo compound |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 1 year to 10 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- males and females who have classic or atypical RTT with a proven mutation in the MECP2 gene;
- subjects must be between one year - 10 years of age.
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- those without an established mutation in the MECP2 gene;
- those with mutations in the MECP2 gene but who have had brain resection or surgical intervention; for example, tumor, hydrocephalus, severe head trauma; or, an associated severe medical illnesses such as vasculopathies, malignancies, diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, etc;
- those on medications that could interact with DM, e.g. MAO inhibitors, SSRI, sibutramine etc. to avoid a serotonin syndrome; quinidine and drugs metabolized by the CYP450 isoform CYP2D6 (e.g. amiodarone, haloperidol, propafenone, thioridazine);
- those proven to be intermediate or slow metabolizers of DM;
- those with reported adverse reactions to DM;
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| dextromethorphanAlso: DelsymThe DM group will take 5mg/kg/day orally in 2 divided doses 12 hours apart for the 3 month period of the study. The pharmacists will dispense the DM to the study participants. | Drug | Study drug-dextromethorphan (DM) |
| placeboThe placebo will be dispensed to equal the volume of DM of 5mg/kg/day. It is taken orally in 2 divided doses 12 hours apart during the study period of 3 months. The Research pharmacist will dispense the placebo to the participants. | Drug | Placebo group |
Primary outcome
Change in Mullen; Visual Reception Sub-scale Scores, Pre- and Post-Intervention
Time frame: Initial evaluation and at the end of the 3 month trial
The Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MULLEN) Visual reception subscale raw scores range from Minimum=0 to Maximum=50. A higher score is a better outcome. Age equivalents from 1 month to 70 months can be computed for each subscale separately.
Change in Mullen; Fine Motor Sub-scale Scores, Pre- and Post-Intervention
Time frame: Baseline and 3 months
The Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MULLEN) Fine motor scale raw scores range from Minimum=0 to Maximum=49. A higher score is a better outcome. Age equivalents from 1 month to 70 months can be computed for each subscale separately.
Change in Mullen; Receptive Language Subscale Scores, Pre- and Post-Intervention
Time frame: Baseline and 3 months
The Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MULLEN) Receptive Language scale raw scores range from Minimum=0 to Maximum=50. A higher score is a better outcome. Age equivalents from 1 month to 70 months can be computed for each subscale separately.
Change in Mullen, Expressive Language Sub-scale Scores, Pre- and Post-Intervention
Time frame: Baseline and 3 months
The Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MULLEN) Expressive Language scale raw scores range from Minimum=0 to Maximum=50. A higher score is a better outcome. Age equivalents from 1 month to 70 months can be computed for each subscale separately.
6 secondary outcomes
Change in VABS: Motor Skills Domain Scores, Pre- and Post-Intervention
Time frame: Baseline evaluation and at the end of the 3 month study
Change in VABS:Daily Living Skills Domain Scores, Pre- and Post-Intervention
Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 3 month trial
Change in VABS: Socialization Domain Scores, Pre- and Post-Intervention
Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 3 month trial
Change in VABS:Communication Domain Scores, Pre- and Post-Intervention
Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 3 month trial
Change in Ghuman-Folstein Screen for Social Interaction (SSI) Score, Pre- and Post-Intervention.
Time frame: Initial evaluation and at the end of the 3 month study. The test lasts 45 minutes
Change in Rett Syndrome Behavior Questionnaire Score, Pre- and Post-Intervention
Time frame: Initial evaluation and at the end of the 3 month study
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 Dec 2018.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Sakkubai R Naidu, MD principal investigator
The Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins SOM
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 2 study testing dextromethorphan in people with Rett Syndrome, run by Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc. at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Dec 2018. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 23 Oct 2018). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Mullen; Visual Reception Sub-scale Scores, Pre- and Post-Intervention (time frame: Initial evaluation and at the end of the 3 month trial). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 4 Dec 2018; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.