A Pilot Study of an Antioxidant Cocktail vs. Placebo in the Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Rett Syndrome

This study will examine the potential efficacy and safety of Rett-T for core motor deficits of Rett syndrome, and will explore biological markers of safety and treatment response.

Study Overview

• Status: Unknown
• Conditions: Rett Syndrome
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Placebo; Drug: Rett-T

Detailed Description

There are currently no available medicines shown to be effective for Rett syndrome. Numerous studies implicate mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stresses in the pathophysiology of Rett syndrome. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been reported in Rett patients, Rett mouse models and MECP2-deficient cells.

Collaborators have tested a combination of specific antioxidants known to enhance mitochondrial function in a cell and mouse model of Rett syndrome. The formulation normalized mitochondrial membrane potential in MECP2 neurons, and MECP2-deficient mice displayed improved exploratory, locomotor and social behavior compared to MECP2-deficient mice. These results support testing anti-oxidative strategies for benefit in individuals with Rett syndrome.In this study, the formulation has been adjusted and optimized based on current guidelines for human use, with the goal of translating a potential new treatment from the animal model to use in humans. Results of this study could lead to the first approved medication treatment for the disorder.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 35
• Phase: Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Rianne Hastie Adams, MSW; Phone Number: 6515 416 425 6220; Email: rhastieadams@hollandbloorview.ca
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Naomi Peleg, MSc; Phone Number: 3469 416 425 6220; Email: npeleg@hollandbloorview.ca

Study Locations

• Canada
  • Ontario
    • Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4G 1R8
      • Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
      • Contact: Rianne Hastie Adams, MSW; Phone Number: 6515 4164256220; Email: rhastieadams@hollandbloorview.ca
      • Contact: Naomi Peleg, MSc; Phone Number: 6439 4164256220; Email: npeleg@hollandbloorview.ca

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 7 months to 19 years (Child, Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: Female

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Female outpatients 2-21 years of age inclusive.
2. Diagnosis of Rett syndrome.
3. At least partially ambulatory (may need assistive device to take a step).

4. If already receiving stable interventions must meet the following criteria:

   • If already receiving stable concomitant medications or nutraceuticals affecting behaviour, must be on a stable dose during the preceding 1 month prior to Screening (with the exception of fluoxetine, where a period of 6 weeks is needed), and will not electively initiate new or modify ongoing medications for study duration.
5. Have normal laboratory test results at Screening/Baseline. If abnormal, the finding(s) must be deemed clinically insignificant by the Investigator.
6. Ability to complete assessments, fluency in English (parent/legal guardian; participant, if verbal).
7. Ability to obtain assent (if developmentally appropriate), as well as written informed consent from their parent(s)/legal guardian(s).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Pregnant females; sexually active females on inadequate birth control (extremely unlikely in this population).
2. Have another serious medical condition that, based on Investigator judgment, might interfere with the conduct of the study, confound interpretation of the study results, or endanger their own well-being. Have evidence or history of malignancy or any significant hematological, endocrine, cardiovascular (including any rhythm disorder), respiratory, renal, hepatic, or gastrointestinal disease, not including mild common pediatric diseases in these areas that are stable (e.g. mild asthma, constipation, etc.).
3. Have hypersensitivity to any components of Rett-T.
4. Have one or more of the following: HIV, HBV, HCV, hemophilia (bleeding problems, recent nose and brain injuries), drug abuse, immunity disorder, major depressive episode or psychosis.
5. Unable to tolerate venipuncture procedures for blood sampling.
6. Receiving concomitant medications/nutraceuticals that include any of the components of Rett-T.
7. Actively enrolled in another intervention study.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: Quadruple

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Rett T; Rett T is a powder for oral suspension. Dosage is dependent on weight. For participants weighing <30 kg, a 4 g dose (i.e., one 4 g sachet) is intended to be administered orally once a day after dissolving in approximately 125 mL of water. For participants weighing ≥30 kg, a 8 g dose (i.e., two 4 g sachets) is intended to be administered orally once a day after dissolving in approximately 250 mL of water.	Drug: Rett-T; antioxidant cocktail
Placebo Comparator: Placebo; Placebo is a powder for oral suspension. Dosage is dependent on weight. For participants weighing <30 kg, a 4 g dose (i.e., one 4 g sachet) is intended to be administered orally once a day after dissolving in approximately 125 mL of water. For participants weighing ≥30 kg, a 8 g dose (i.e., two 4 g sachets) is intended to be administered orally once a day after dissolving in approximately 250 mL of water.	Other: Placebo; Placebo

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Rett Syndrome Natural History Motor Behavior Assessment (MBA)	To examine the effect of Rett-T vs. placebo on measures of motor function. The Rett Syndrome MBA consists of 37 items grouped into three subscales (Behavioral/Social Assessment, Orofacial Respiratory Assessment, and Motor Assessment/Physical Signs). Items are captured on a 0-4 point Likert scale. Total and subscale scores are calculated (subscales are summed for a total score). The scale range for Total score is 0-136; for Behavioral/Social subscale, 0-60; for Orofacial/Respiratory subscale, 0-28; for Motor Assesment/Physical Signs, 0-48. For both total and subscale scores, higher values represent a worse outcome.	18 weeks total: 8 weeks on Rett-T, 8 weeks on placebo, 2 week washout in interim

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Rett Syndrome Gross Motor Scale (RSGMS)	To examine the effect of Rett-T vs. placebo on measures of motor function. The RSGMS consists of 15 gross motor items grouped into three subscales (Sitting, Standing and Walking, and Challenge). Items are captured on a 0-3 Likert Scale rating regarding level of assistance needed (0=maximal, 3 = none). Total and subscale scores are calculated (subscales are summed for a total score). The scale range for Total score is 0-45; for Sitting, 0-9; for Walking, 0-27; for Challenge, 0-9. For both total and subscale scores, higher values represent a better outcome.	18 weeks total: 8 weeks on Rett-T, 8 weeks on placebo, 2 week washout in interim
Safety Monitoring Uniform Report Form (SMURF)	To examine the safety and tolerability of Rett- T in children and youth with Rett syndrome; To explore the effect Rett-T vs. placebo on maladaptive behaviors, anxiety, sleep, seizure	18 weeks total: 8 weeks on Rett-T, 8 weeks on placebo, 2 week washout in interim
Clinical Global Impressions - Improvement Scale - Global (CGI-I)	To explore the effect of Rett-T vs. placebo on global improvement. The CGI-I measures global clinical improvement in response to treatment. A single score is assigned on a 1-7 Likert scale, with 1= very much improved-7=very much worse. Higher values represent a worse outcome.	18 weeks total: 8 weeks on Rett-T, 8 weeks on placebo, 2 week washout in interim
The Top 3 Causes for Concern	To explore the effect Rett-T vs. placebo on maladaptive behaviors, anxiety, sleep, seizure frequency, and global improvement. Respondents are instructed to choose their top three concerns for the participant, and indicate Concern Number #1, 2 and 3 on the form. Respondents are next instructed to place a vertical mark along a visual analogue scale (a 10 centimetre horizontal line in which the leftmost point on the scale indicates the concern is completely absent, and the rightmost point on the scale indicates that the concern is very severe). For each concern, a measurement is taken from the leftmost point of the scale to the vertical mark, and the measurement in centimetres acts as the score. Higher scores represent a worse outcome.	18 weeks total: 8 weeks on Rett-T, 8 weeks on placebo, 2 week washout in interim
The Rett Syndrome Behaviour Questionnaire (RSBQ)	To explore the effect of Rett-T vs. placebo on maladaptive behaviors, anxiety, sleep, seizure frequency, and global improvement. The measure consists of 45 items which are grouped into 8 subscales (General Mood, Breathing Problems, Body Rocking and Expressionless Face, Hand Behaviors, Repetitive Face Movements, Night-time Behaviors, Fear/Anxiety, and Walking/Standing). Items are measured on a 0-2 Likert scale.Total and subscale scores are calculated (subscales are summed for a total score). The scale range for total score is 0-90; for General Mood, 0-16; for Breathing Problems, 0-10; for Body Rocking and Expressionless Face, 0-12; for Hand Behaviours, 0-12; for Repetitive Face Movements, 0-8; for Nighttime Behaviours, 0-6; for Fear/Anxiety; 0-8; for Walking/Standing, 0-4. Seven items are not included in the subscale scores but are included in the total score sum. For both total and subscale scores, higher values represent a worse outcome.	18 weeks total: 8 weeks on Rett-T, 8 weeks on placebo, 2 week washout in interim
Anxiety, Depression, and Mood Scale (ADAMS)	To explore the effect of Rett-T vs. placebo on anxiety. The ADAMS consists of 28 items grouped into five subscales (Manic/Hyperactive Behavior, Depressed Mood, Social Avoidance, General Anxiety, and Obsessive Behavior). Items are scored on a 0-3 Likert scale that combines frequency and severity ratings (where 0=behavior has not occurred or is not a problem, 3=behavior occurs a lot or is a severe problem). Each subscale score is calculated separately; the scale range for Manic/Hyperactive Behavior is 3-15; for Depressed Mood, 7-21; for Social Avoidance, 7-21; for General Anxiety, 7-21; for Obsessive Behavior, 3-9. For each subscale score, higher values represent a worse outcome.	18 weeks total: 8 weeks on Rett-T, 8 weeks on placebo, 2 week washout in interim
Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ)	To explore the effect of Rett-T vs. placebo on sleep. The CSHQ is a tool designed to screen for the most common sleep problems in children. The CSHQ consists of 35 items for scoring and extra unscored items intended to provide administrators with other potentially useful information about respondents. The instrument evaluates sleep based on behavior within eight different subscales (Bedtime Resistance, Sleep-Onset Delay, Sleep Duration, Sleep Anxiety, Night Wakings, Parasomnias, Sleep-Disordered Breathing, and Daytime Sleepiness).Total and subscale scores are calculated (33 items are summed for a total score). The scale range for Total score is 33-99; for Bedtime Resistance subscale, 6-18; for Sleep Onset/Delay, 1-3; for Sleep Duration, 3-9; for Sleep Anxiety, 4-12; For Night Wakings, 3-9; for Parasomnias, 7-21; for Sleep-Disordered Breathing, 3-9; for Daytime Sleepiness, 8-24. For both total and subscale scores, higher values represent a worse outcome.	18 weeks total: 8 weeks on Rett-T, 8 weeks on placebo, 2 week washout in interim

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Anagnostou, Evdokia, M.D.
• Collaborators: Unity Health Toronto; Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital; Ontario Brain Institute
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Evdokia Anagnostou, MD, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Anticipated): September 1, 2019
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): January 31, 2021
• Study Completion (Anticipated): January 31, 2021

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 27, 2019
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 30, 2019
• First Posted (Actual): August 1, 2019

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 13, 2019
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 9, 2019
• Last Verified: August 1, 2019

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Rett Syndrome; RTT; Rett
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Nervous System Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Disease; Genetic Diseases, Inborn; Genetic Diseases, X-Linked; Mental Retardation, X-Linked; Intellectual Disability; Heredodegenerative Disorders, Nervous System; Syndrome; Rett Syndrome
• Other Study ID Numbers: RETT-08-2018

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No