Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is the leading genetic cause of death of infants. Strong preclinical evidence suggests that effective therapy must be delivered as early as possible to prevent progression of the disease. The primary study objective will be to identify prognostic and surrogate biomarkers of disease progression that will facilitate the execution of therapeutic SMA clinical trials in infants.
Aim 1. To establish the validity of putative physiological SMA biomarkers in the immediate postnatal period. A longitudinal, natural history examination of physiological markers of muscle innervation will be performed in healthy and SMA infants. The first week of life is the ideal first time point, with visits occurring at scheduled visits up to the age two. Compound motor action potential (CMAP) amplitude and electrical impedance myography (EIM) will be examined and will be correlated with motor function. Each of these is associated with muscle innervation and provides information on the number and function of lower motor neurons in the spinal cord, the cellular target of SMA therapeutic interventions. This trial will establish the natural history of these putative SMA biomarkers as the disease evolves in affected infants. Moreover, our approach will allow for measurements in pre-symptomatic and early symptomatic subjects and determine their predictive value. Aim 2. To establish the validity of putative molecular SMA biomarkers in the immediate postnatal period. Survival Motor Neuron (SMN2) copy number is a valid, predictive molecular SMA biomarker; however, it is fixed, and therefore not useful as a biomarker of clinical progression or response to therapy. SMN messenger Ribonucleic acid (mRNA) ( and protein expression is variable in different cell types and, in mice, naturally decreases with age postnatally. In this study, SMN expression levels will be measured longitudinally in SMA patients and controls. Additional putative molecular SMA markers that have been identified to correlate with motor function will be determined in an effort to distinguish between predictive markers that change prior to development of weakness and those that change as a consequence of weakness.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
53
University of California - Davis
Davis, California, United States
University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California, United States
Motor Function Assessments- Test for Infant Motor Performance Screening Items (TIMPSI)
Describe \& compare the distribution of motor function assessments over the first two years of life in SMA vs. healthy control infants. The TIMPSI is used to assess the postural and selective control of movement typically used by infants younger than 5 months. The TIMPSI scores were related to an infant's ability to reach. The TIMPSI is a 29-item evaluation that contains 3 item sets: a Screening set, an Easy set, and a Hard set. The Screening set consists of 11 items from the TIMP, each with a 5- to 7-point rating scale; the Easy set has 6 items with 5- or 6-point rating scales and 4 dichotomously scored items; the Hard set has 8 items, 3 with 5-point rating scales and 5 items that are scored dichotomously. The Total score is derived from all subset scores and is the sum of those subset scores. The final score could range from 0 to 99 points. The higher the score the better the functional ability of the participant. Linear mixed effects models were used for analyses.
Time frame: Up to 24 months
Motor Function Assessments- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Infant Test for Neuromuscular Disorders (CHOP-INTEND)
The TIMPSI motor function testing was done during all of the study visits knowing that the healthy controls would eventually ceiling out. The study design allowed for secondary motor function tests based on the score of the TIMPSI. If infants scored a 41 or above on the TIMPSI they would be tested with the AIMS. If they were below they were tested with the CHOP-INTEND. The CHOP-INTEND is a reliable and validated, comprehensive assessment of the postural and selective control of movement needed by infants. It is a clinician-rated questionnaire developed to assess motor skill in spinal muscular atrophy type I. The 16 items are scored from 0 to 4. The global score ranges from 0 to 64, a higher score indicating better motor skills.(Finkel, McDermott, 2014). All healthy controls based upon scores at 6 months moved on to the AIMS test, therefore no healthy controls completed the CHOP-INTEND. Linear mixed effects models were used for analyses of Motor function outcome data.
Time frame: Up to 24 months
Motor Function Assessments-Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS)
Linear mixed effects models were used for analyses. The reason that the number of infants differ from those in participant flow is based upon the protocol. The selection of which secondary test to perform depended upon the score of the TIMPSI that was performed. TIMPSI \<41, do CHOP-NTEND. TIMPSI \> 41, do AIMS. The AIMS incorporates the neuromaturational concept and the dynamical systems theory and is used to measure gross motor maturation of infants from birth through the age of independent walking (Piper, Pinnell et al. 1992, Piper, Darrah et al 1994). In the AIMS, the impact of neurological components on motor development is reflected by a sequence of motor skills, which are used as the basis of assessment. The AIMS consists of 58 items, including 4 positions: prone (21 items), supine (9 items), sitting (12 items) \& standing(16 items). The highest score available is 58. The higher the score the better the functional ability of the participant.
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Children's Hospital Colorado
Aurora, Colorado, United States
Children's National Medical Center
Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Children's Mercy Hospital
Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine
St Louis, Missouri, United States
Columbia University Medical Center
New York, New York, United States
State University of New York Upstate Medical Center
Syracuse, New York, United States
...and 5 more locations
Time frame: Up to 24 months
Putative Physiological Biomarker- Compound Motor Action Potential Testing (CMAP)
Describe and compare the distribution of the putative physiological and molecular biomarkers over the first two years of life in SMA vs. healthy control infants. Maximum ulnar CMAP amplitude and area will be obtained by recording from the abductor digitiminimi muscle following ulnar nerve stimulation at the wrist. All electrophysiologic testing will be performed by certified electromyographers experienced in the assessment of pediatric patients. Maximum values for both negative peak (NP) amplitude and NP area will be obtained. No medications will be used. This test is done routinely in this population. Pediatric electrodes and each site's standard electromyograph devices will be utilized. The test, while not considered to be painful, may cause some discomfort similar to a static electric shock. Infants may whimper or cry due to the surprise of the shock. Each shock lasts approximately 0.1 millisecond. The testing duration is expected to be approximately 30 seconds.
Time frame: Up to 24 months
Molecular Biomarkers- mRNA
Describe and compare the distribution of the putative physiological and molecular biomarkers over the first two years of life in SMA vs. healthy control infants. Results were measured in survival motor neurons (SMN), hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) Ratio.
Time frame: Up to 24 months
Molecular Biomarkers- SMN Protein Levels
Describe and compare the distribution of the putative physiological and molecular biomarkers over the first two years of life in SMA vs. healthy control infants.
Time frame: Up to 24 months
Putative Physiological Biomarkers-Weight
Describe and compare the distribution of the putative physiological and molecular biomarkers over the first two years of life in SMA vs. healthy control infants.
Time frame: Up to 24 months
Correlation of Biomarkers With Motor Function Tests for SMA Subjects- CMAP
In these analyses motor function score was the outcome measure. Correlation was defined as the estimated mean increase per a one unit increase in the biomarker under consideration. A linear mixed effects model was used to estimate the correlation between the biomarker and motor function score. Separate models were used for the TIMPSI and CHOP-INTEND. In the CHOP-INTEND analyses, correlations were not estimable for the 18 and 24 month visits.
Time frame: up to 24 months
Correlation of Biomarkers With Motor Function Tests for SMA Subjects- mRNA
In these analyses motor function score was the outcome measure. Correlation was defined as the estimated mean increase per a one unit increase in the biomarker under consideration. A linear mixed effects model was used to estimate the correlation between the biomarker and motor function score. Separate models were used for the TIMPSI and CHOP-INTEND.
Time frame: up to 24 months
Correlation of Biomarkers With Motor Function Tests for SMA Subjects- SMN Protein
In these analyses motor function score was the outcome measure. Correlation was defined as the estimated mean increase per a one unit increase in the biomarker under consideration. A linear mixed effects model was used to estimate the correlation between the biomarker and motor function score. Separate models were used for the TIMPSI and CHOP-INTEND. In the CHOP-INTEND analyses, the correlation at the 24 month visit was not estimable.
Time frame: up to 24 months
Correlation of Biomarkers With Motor Function Tests for SMA Subjects- Weight
In these analyses motor function score was the outcome measure. Correlation was defined as the estimated mean increase per a one unit increase in the biomarker under consideration. A linear mixed effects model was used to estimate the correlation between the biomarker and motor function score. Separate models were used for the TIMPSI and CHOP-INTEND.
Time frame: up to 24 months
Correlation of Biomarkers With Motor Function Tests for Healthy Control Subjects- CMAP
In these analyses motor function score was the outcome measure. Correlation was defined as the estimated mean increase per a one unit increase in the biomarker under consideration. A linear mixed effects model was used to estimate the correlation between the biomarker and motor function score. Separate models were used for the TIMPSI and AIMS.
Time frame: up to 24 months
Correlation of Biomarkers With Motor Function Tests for Healthy Control Subjects- mRNA
In these analyses motor function score was the outcome measure. Correlation was defined as the estimated mean increase per a one unit increase in the biomarker under consideration. A linear mixed effects model was used to estimate the correlation between the biomarker and motor function score. Separate models were used for the TIMPSI and AIMS.
Time frame: up to 24 months
Correlation of Biomarkers With Motor Function Tests for Healthy Control Subjects- Weight
In these analyses motor function score was the outcome measure. Correlation was defined as the estimated mean increase per a one unit increase in the biomarker under consideration. A linear mixed effects model was used to estimate the correlation between the biomarker and motor function score. Separate models were used for the TIMPSI and AIMS.
Time frame: up to 24 months
Biomarker Prediction of Risk of Death
Examine whether any of the motor function assessments, putative physiological, or molecular biomarkers predict risk of death in the SMA cohort. Proportional hazards regression models used to determine if motor function scores, mRNA, and protein levels predict death in SMA subjects. Considered each predictor separately modeled as a time-varying covariate (predictor values were allowed to vary as time to death was assessed).
Time frame: Up to 24 months
Motor Function Assessments- Test for Infant Motor Performance Screening Items (TIMPSI) SMN Copy Number =2 Cohort
Describe and compare the distribution of motor function assessments over the first two years of life in SMA subjects with SMN copy number = 2 versus healthy control infants. The TIMPSI is used to assess the postural and selective control of movement typically used by infants younger than 5 months. The TIMPSI scores were related to an infant's ability to reach. The TIMPSI is a 29-item evaluation that contains 3 item sets: a Screening set, an Easy set, and a Hard set. The Screening set consists of 11 items from the TIMP, each with a 5- to 7-point rating scale; the Easy set has 6 items with 5- or 6-point rating scales and 4 dichotomously scored items; the Hard set has 8 items, 3 with 5-point rating scales and 5 items that are scored dichotomously. The Total score is derived from all subset scores and is the sum of those subset scores. The final score could range from 0 to 99 points. The higher the score the better the functional ability of the participant.
Time frame: Up to 24 months
Motor Function Assessments- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Infant Test for Neuromuscular Disorders (CHOP-INTEND) SMN Copy Number =2 Cohort
Describe and compare the distribution of motor function assessments over the first two years of life in SMA subjects with SMN copy number = 2 versus healthy control infants. The CHOP-INTEND is a reliable and validated, comprehensive assessment of the postural and selective control of movement needed by infants. It is a clinician-rated questionnaire developed to assess motor skill in spinal muscular atrophy type I. The 16 items are scored from 0 to 4. The global score ranges from 0 to 64, a higher score indicating better motor skills.(Finkel, McDermott, 2014).
Time frame: Up to 24 months
Putative Physiological Biomarker- Compound Motor Action Potential Testing (CMAP) SMN Copy Number = 2 Cohort
Describe and compare the distribution of the putative physiological and molecular biomarkers over the first two years of life in SMA2 vs. healthy control infants. Maximum ulnar CMAP amplitude and area will be obtained by recording from the abductor digitiminimi muscle following ulnar nerve stimulation at the wrist. All electrophysiologic testing will be performed by certified electromyographers experienced in the assessment of pediatric patients. Maximum values for both negative peak (NP) amplitude and NP area will be obtained. No medications will be used. This test is done routinely in this population. Pediatric electrodes and each site's standard electromyograph devices will be utilized. The test, while not considered to be painful, may cause some discomfort similar to a static electric shock. Infants may whimper or cry due to the surprise of the shock. Each shock lasts approximately 0.1 millisecond. The testing duration is expected to be approximately 30 seconds.
Time frame: Up to 24 months
Molecular Biomarkers- mRNA SMA Copy Number = 2 Cohort
Describe and compare the distribution of the putative physiological and molecular biomarkers over the first two years of life in SMA vs. healthy control infants.
Time frame: Up to 24 months
Molecular Biomarkers- SMN Protein Levels SMA Copy Number = 2
Describe and compare the distribution of the putative physiological and molecular biomarkers over the first two years of life in SMA2 vs. healthy control infants.
Time frame: Up to 24 months
Putative Physiological Biomarkers-Weight SMN Copy Number =2 Cohort
Describe and compare the distribution of motor function assessments over the first two years of life in SMA subjects with SMN copy number = 2 versus healthy control infants
Time frame: Up to 24 months
Correlation of CMAP Biomarker With Motor Function Tests for SMA Subjects SMN Copy Number =2 Cohort
Examine the correlation between each of the putative physiological and molecular biomarkers with the TIMPSI and CHOP-INTEND over the first two years of life in SMA (SMN = 2). All estimated correlations are the same at each study visit.
Time frame: up to 24 months
Correlation of mRNA Biomarkers With Motor Function Tests for SMA Subjects SMN Copy Number =2 Cohort
Examine the correlation between each of the putative physiological and molecular biomarkers with the TIMPSI and CHOP-INTEND over the first two years of life in SMA (SMN = 2). All estimated correlations are the same at each study visit.
Time frame: up to 24 months
Correlation of Protein Level Biomarkers With Motor Function Tests for SMA Subjects SMN Copy Number =2 Cohort
Examine the correlation between each of the putative physiological and molecular biomarkers with the TIMPSI and CHOP-INTEND over the first two years of life in SMA (SMN = 2). All estimated correlations are the same at each study visit.
Time frame: up to 24 months
Correlation of Biomarkers (Weight) With Motor Function Tests for SMA Subjects SMN Copy Number =2 Cohort
Examine the correlation between each of the putative physiological and molecular biomarkers with the TIMPSI and CHOP-INTEND over the first two years of life in SMA (SMN = 2). All estimated correlations are the same at each study visit.
Time frame: up to 24 months