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Central Core DiseaseNCT00272883

Molecular and Genetic Studies of Congenital Myopathies

An observational study of Central Core Disease and Centronuclear Myopathy, run by Boston Children's Hospital at 1 site in United States.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

In the Congenital Myopathy Research Program at Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, the researchers are studying the congenital myopathies (neuromuscular diseases present from birth), including central core disease, centronuclear/myotubular myopathy, congenital fiber type disproportion, multiminicore… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Any age
How many people
4,000 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
Aug 2003to Jan 2050
Phase
Observational
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

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 Any age
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child, Adult, Older adult

Study population: Individuals with a clinical or suspected diagnosis of a congenital myopathy and their family members.

Who may be able to join

  • Individuals with a clinical or suspected diagnosis of a congenital myopathy and their family members

Who cannot join

  • No specific exclusion criteria. Our studies do not include myotonia congenita or related conditions.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

United States1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Genetics Division, Boston Children's Hospital

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02115

    Casie Genetti, M.S. C.G.C., (617) 919-2169, BeggsLabGC@childrens.harvard.edu

    Alan H. Beggs, Ph.D.

    Recruiting

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Molecular Analysis of Neuromuscular Disease

In the Congenital Myopathy Research Program at Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, the researchers are studying the congenital myopathies (neuromuscular diseases present from birth), including central core disease, centronuclear/myotubular myopathy, congenital fiber type disproportion, multiminicore disease, nemaline myopathy, rigid spine muscular dystrophy, SELENON (SEPN1), RYR1 myopathy, ADSS1 (ADSSL) Myopathy and undefined congenital myopathies. The primary goal of the research is to better understand the genes and proteins (gene products) involved in muscle functioning and disease. The researchers hope that our studies will allow for improved diagnosis and treatment of individuals with congenital myopathies in the future. For more information, visit the Laboratory Website at www.childrenshospital.org/research/beggs

Read the detailed description

The Congenital Myopathy Research Program consists of a group of scientists and healthcare providers all working to better understand the congenital myopathies. We are taking two approaches to reach our research goals. The first involves identifying and describing new genes and proteins involved in the skeletal muscles that allow our bodies to move. Simultaneously, studies are underway to identify genetic changes (mutations) that cause human neuromuscular disease. Thus, our second approach is to identify mutations, learn how they are inherited in families, and understand how they lead to weakness in individuals with neuromuscular disease. These approaches allow correlation of our basic muscle biology findings with our studies on muscle tissue of affected individuals.

Our research would not be possible without the generous participation of individuals and families with congenital myopathies. Participation in our studies is free of charge. Travel to Boston is not required, and we welcome the participation of individuals from around the world.

We appreciate the participation of all individuals with a congenital myopathy, as well as their first-degree relatives. Participants with a congenital myopathy are asked to donate medical records, a blood or saliva sample, and a muscle tissue sample (if available). Participating relatives are asked to donate a blood sample. The blood/saliva sample is used to acquire DNA (genetic material) which can be used to identify genetic changes and to study how a disease is inherited in a family. The medical records are employed to understand a participant's symptoms. The muscle tissue is used to better understand the disease at the muscular level by studying the gene expression and protein levels in individuals with congenital myopathies.

For more information, visit the Laboratory Website at www.childrenshospital.org/research/beggs.

Keywords
central core, centronuclear, multiminicore, multicore, minicore, congenital fiber type disproportion, myotubular, nemaline, congenital myopathy, neuromuscular, rigid spine
Medical subject headings
Myopathy, Central Core, Myopathies, Structural, Congenital, Minicore Myopathy with External Ophthalmoplegia, Myopathies, Nemaline, Myotonia Congenita

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Identification of Neuromuscular Disease Genes

    This is an ongoing genetic discovery study aimed at finding and confirming pathogenic mutations in known and new disease genes.

    Measured: The time frame for disease gene discovery is unpredictable and may range from several days to several decades.

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. Characterization of Clinical Features of Congenital Myopathies

    As known as known and new disease genes are identified the resulting genotypes are correlated with subject phenotypes.

    Measured: The time frame for disease classification and genotype-phenotype correlation is unpredictable and may range from several days to several decades.

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted9 Jan 2006 (estimated)
  2. Study startAug 2003
  3. Primary completionJan 2050 (estimated)
  4. Study completionJan 2050 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Observational
Observational model
Case only
Time perspective
Other
Enrolment
4,000 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT00272883
Sponsor's protocol ID
03-08-128R
Other IDs
AR44345, NS40828
Status last verified
Mar 2026
First submitted
5 Jan 2006
Last updated
25 Mar 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No

Publications

  • Pierson CR, Tomczak K, Agrawal P, Moghadaszadeh B, Beggs AH. X-linked myotubular and centronuclear myopathies. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. 2005 Jul;64(7):555-64. doi: 10.1097/01.jnen.0000171653.17213.2e.

    PubMed 16042307
  • Agrawal PB, Strickland CD, Midgett C, Morales A, Newburger DE, Poulos MA, Tomczak KK, Ryan MM, Iannaccone ST, Crawford TO, Laing NG, Beggs AH. Heterogeneity of nemaline myopathy cases with skeletal muscle alpha-actin gene mutations. Ann Neurol. 2004 Jul;56(1):86-96. doi: 10.1002/ana.20157.

    PubMed 15236405
  • Ryan MM, Ilkovski B, Strickland CD, Schnell C, Sanoudou D, Midgett C, Houston R, Muirhead D, Dennett X, Shield LK, De Girolami U, Iannaccone ST, Laing NG, North KN, Beggs AH. Clinical course correlates poorly with muscle pathology in nemaline myopathy. Neurology. 2003 Feb 25;60(4):665-73. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000046585.81304.bc.

    PubMed 12601110
  • Ryan MM, Schnell C, Strickland CD, Shield LK, Morgan G, Iannaccone ST, Laing NG, Beggs AH, North KN. Nemaline myopathy: a clinical study of 143 cases. Ann Neurol. 2001 Sep;50(3):312-20. doi: 10.1002/ana.1080.

    PubMed 11558787
  • Sanoudou D, Frieden LA, Haslett JN, Kho AT, Greenberg SA, Kohane IS, Kunkel LM, Beggs AH. Molecular classification of nemaline myopathies: "nontyping" specimens exhibit unique patterns of gene expression. Neurobiol Dis. 2004 Apr;15(3):590-600. doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2003.12.013.

    PubMed 15056467
  • Sanoudou D, Haslett JN, Kho AT, Guo S, Gazda HT, Greenberg SA, Lidov HG, Kohane IS, Kunkel LM, Beggs AH. Expression profiling reveals altered satellite cell numbers and glycolytic enzyme transcription in nemaline myopathy muscle. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2003 Apr 15;100(8):4666-71. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0330960100. Epub 2003 Apr 3.

    PubMed 12677001
  • Wattanasirichaigoon D, Swoboda KJ, Takada F, Tong HQ, Lip V, Iannaccone ST, Wallgren-Pettersson C, Laing NG, Beggs AH. Mutations of the slow muscle alpha-tropomyosin gene, TPM3, are a rare cause of nemaline myopathy. Neurology. 2002 Aug 27;59(4):613-7. doi: 10.1212/wnl.59.4.613.

    PubMed 12196661
  • Nowak KJ, Wattanasirichaigoon D, Goebel HH, Wilce M, Pelin K, Donner K, Jacob RL, Hubner C, Oexle K, Anderson JR, Verity CM, North KN, Iannaccone ST, Muller CR, Nurnberg P, Muntoni F, Sewry C, Hughes I, Sutphen R, Lacson AG, Swoboda KJ, Vigneron J, Wallgren-Pettersson C, Beggs AH, Laing NG. Mutations in the skeletal muscle alpha-actin gene in patients with actin myopathy and nemaline myopathy. Nat Genet. 1999 Oct;23(2):208-12. doi: 10.1038/13837.

    PubMed 10508519
  • North KN, Yang N, Wattanasirichaigoon D, Mills M, Easteal S, Beggs AH. A common nonsense mutation results in alpha-actinin-3 deficiency in the general population. Nat Genet. 1999 Apr;21(4):353-4. doi: 10.1038/7675. No abstract available.

    PubMed 10192379
  • Pelin K, Hilpela P, Donner K, Sewry C, Akkari PA, Wilton SD, Wattanasirichaigoon D, Bang ML, Centner T, Hanefeld F, Odent S, Fardeau M, Urtizberea JA, Muntoni F, Dubowitz V, Beggs AH, Laing NG, Labeit S, de la Chapelle A, Wallgren-Pettersson C. Mutations in the nebulin gene associated with autosomal recessive nemaline myopathy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1999 Mar 2;96(5):2305-10. doi: 10.1073/pnas.96.5.2305.

    PubMed 10051637
  • Ottenheijm CA, Lawlor MW, Stienen GJ, Granzier H, Beggs AH. Changes in cross-bridge cycling underlie muscle weakness in patients with tropomyosin 3-based myopathy. Hum Mol Genet. 2011 May 15;20(10):2015-25. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddr084. Epub 2011 Feb 28.

    PubMed 21357678
  • Lawlor MW, Dechene ET, Roumm E, Geggel AS, Moghadaszadeh B, Beggs AH. Mutations of tropomyosin 3 (TPM3) are common and associated with type 1 myofiber hypotrophy in congenital fiber type disproportion. Hum Mutat. 2010 Feb;31(2):176-83. doi: 10.1002/humu.21157.

    PubMed 19953533
  • Ottenheijm CA, Hooijman P, DeChene ET, Stienen GJ, Beggs AH, Granzier H. Altered myofilament function depresses force generation in patients with nebulin-based nemaline myopathy (NEM2). J Struct Biol. 2010 May;170(2):334-43. doi: 10.1016/j.jsb.2009.11.013. Epub 2009 Nov 26.

    PubMed 19944167
  • Laing NG, Dye DE, Wallgren-Pettersson C, Richard G, Monnier N, Lillis S, Winder TL, Lochmuller H, Graziano C, Mitrani-Rosenbaum S, Twomey D, Sparrow JC, Beggs AH, Nowak KJ. Mutations and polymorphisms of the skeletal muscle alpha-actin gene (ACTA1). Hum Mutat. 2009 Sep;30(9):1267-77. doi: 10.1002/humu.21059.

    PubMed 19562689
  • Ottenheijm CA, Witt CC, Stienen GJ, Labeit S, Beggs AH, Granzier H. Thin filament length dysregulation contributes to muscle weakness in nemaline myopathy patients with nebulin deficiency. Hum Mol Genet. 2009 Jul 1;18(13):2359-69. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddp168. Epub 2009 Apr 4.

    PubMed 19346529

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

An observational study of Central Core Disease and Centronuclear Myopathy, run by Boston Children's Hospital 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 1 inclusion and 1 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 25 Mar 2026. 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. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Casie Genetti, M.S. C.G.C. ((617) 919-2169, BeggsLabGC@childrens.harvard.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Identification of Neuromuscular Disease Genes (time frame: The time frame for disease gene discovery is unpredictable and may range from several days to several decades.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT00272883, which also lists 18 linked publications.

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 25 Mar 2026.

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