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NarcolepsyNarcoGenNCT06786377

Genetic and Clinical Characterization of Type 1 and 2 Narcolepsy in Adult and Pediatric Black and North African Populations

An observational study of Narcolepsy, run by Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris at 1 site in France.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

Narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) is a neurological disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hallucinations while awake. It results from the loss of orexin-producing neurons in the hypothalamus, leading to a deficiency of the neuropeptide orexin/hypocretin. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 6 to 21 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Narcolepsy
What is being tested?
saliva sampling
How many people
200 participants
Where
1 siteFrance
Study dates
30 Jan 2025to 30 Jan 2026
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 6 to 21 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Child, Adult

Study population: Narcolepsy patients with NT1 or NT2.

Who may be able to join

  • Narcolepsy patients:
  • Individuals of black and North African origin diagnosed with NT1 or NT2.
  • Age ≥ 6 years
  • Clinical confirmation of narcolepsy according to the criteria of the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD-3).
  • Signature of informed consent by the adult patient or both holders of parental authority for minor patients.
  • Control subjects:
Show all 9Show fewer
  • Volunteers without pathology related to the study from the same ethnic or related groups with the aim of reaching two matched control subjects for each case.
  • Age ≥ 6 years
  • Signature of informed consent by the adult subject or both holders of parental authority for minor subjects.

Who cannot join

  • Individuals unable to understand the protocol or unwilling to participate.

Trial locations and contacts

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

France1 site
  • Robert Debré Hospital

    Paris, 75019

    Michel LECENDREUX, MD, +331.40.03.20.00, michel.lecendreux@aphp.fr

    Emmanuel MIGNOT, MD, PhD, (650) 725-6517, mignot@stanford.edu

Other trials in France

About this study

Narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) is a neurological disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hallucinations while awake. It results from the loss of orexin-producing neurons in the hypothalamus, leading to a deficiency of the neuropeptide orexin/hypocretin. Studies show differences in the clinical presentation of NT1 between Caucasian and African American populations, highlighting the importance of research into genetic and clinical characteristics specific to Black and North African populations.

A genetic study in these populations could identify novel genes associated with NT1 and NT2, providing crucial information for personalized diagnosis and treatment. This would fill a knowledge gap and promote more effective interventions for individuals of African descent, contributing to a better understanding of narcolepsy globally.

Read the detailed description

Narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) is a neurological disease characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), cataplexy, sleep paralysis and hypnagogic hallucinations. It is caused by the loss of neurons located in the lateral hypothalamus leading to a sudden deficiency of a neuropeptide hypocretin/orexin involved in the functions of sleep and wakefulness but also food intake and metabolism. NT1 is diagnosed by the presence of EDS and cataplexies or in the absence of cataplexies but with documented hypocretin/orexin deficiency measured in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Other cases without cataplexy (and without orexin deficiency) are classified as narcolepsy type 2 (NT2).

Although narcolepsy has been widely studied in different populations, there is a lack of knowledge about the genetic and clinical characteristics of people of Black and North African descent.

In Caucasian populations, NT1 is associated with specific major histocompatibility complex (MHC) alleles, particularly HLA-DQB1*06:029. However, recent observations in African American populations have indicated a different clinical presentation. Notably, earlier onset, increased prevalence of atypical symptoms, greater prevalence of narcolepsy without cataplexy, and low cerebrospinal fluid orexin levels have been reported. Specifically, the DQB103:01 allele has been associated with NT1 in African Americans. Additionally, in African populations, a specific mutation called DQB103:19 has been identified within the DQB103:0112 allele.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have proven to be of major interest in identifying genetic variations associated with complex disorders. However, the majority of GWAS on narcolepsy have focused on non-African populations. Carrying out a GWAS in black and North African populations is able to provide new information on the genetic architecture of NT1 and NT2 and highlight specific risk factors in this particularly exposed population.

In conclusion, better understanding the genetic and clinical heterogeneity of NT1 and NT2 in black and North African populations is crucial to advance our knowledge of this disease and adapt targeted diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to specific populations. The present study aims to contribute significantly to the understanding of pediatric and adult narcolepsy and to facilitate more personalized and effective interventions for individuals of African descent.

Although narcolepsy has been widely studied in different populations, there is a lack of knowledge about the genetic and clinical characteristics of people of Black and North African descent.

Conditions
Narcolepsy
Being tested
saliva sampling
Medical subject headings
Narcolepsy

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • saliva samplingGenetic

    saliva sampling

Study groups in NCT06786377
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
narcolepsy patients50 narcolepsy patients will be included in the study at Robert Debré Hospital
Receives: Genetic: saliva sampling
control patients150 control patients will be included in the study at Robert Debré Hospital
Receives: Genetic: saliva sampling

What is being measured

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

  1. Describe the genetic and clinical features of type 1 and 2 narcolepsy in Black and North African populations

    Presence of genetic specificity in the populations studied

    Measured: 12 months

Timeline

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

  1. First posted22 Jan 2025
  2. Study start30 Jan 2025 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion30 Jan 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completion30 Jan 2026 (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-control
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrolment
200 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06786377
Sponsor's protocol ID
APHP240964
Other IDs
IDRCB: 2024-A02078-39
Acronym
NarcoGen
Status last verified
Jan 2025
First submitted
15 Jan 2025
Last updated
22 Jan 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Undecided

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

An observational study of Narcolepsy, run by Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris at 1 site in France.

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 9 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 22 Jan 2025. 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 France. 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?

Each site lists its own contact: choose the nearest one under Trial locations. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Describe the genetic and clinical features of type 1 and 2 narcolepsy in Black and North African populations (time frame: 12 months). 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 22 Jan 2025.

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