Interventional Study of Levodopa Replacement on Retinal Function in Oculocutaneous Albinism
Levodopa/carbidopa
Albinism+12
+ Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors
+ Eye Diseases
Treatment Study
Summary
Study start date: October 17, 2012
Actual date on which the first participant was enrolled.In this study the investigators propose that the retina itself in albinism is deficient in dopamine, and vision improvement will occur as a result of improved retinal function in response to the deficient neurotransmitter dopamine. This study has a pretest-posttest design in order to determine if improvement in vision is in response to replacement of deficiency (dopamine). The electroretinography (ERG) testing and optical coherence tomography (OCT) will be critical determinants to confirm vision improvement as a result of improved retinal function, but are not primary outcome data. Main outcome measures will be collected at pre-treatment, 1 month, 3 months, and 4 months. Change in visual acuity as measured in logMAR by Snellen or sweep visual evoked potential (SVEP) after 3 months of treatment is the primary outcome. Patients include OCA1a patients, OCA1b, OCA2, and unclassified Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA). OCA1a patients clinically are known to have the worst vision, and physiologically have the lowest (or absent) levels of tyrosinase function (Dopamine Production). All patients will be treated with Levodopa/carbidopa 4mg/kg/day in three divided doses.
Protocol
This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.20 patients to be enrolled
Total number of participants that the clinical trial aims to recruit.Treatment Study
Eligibility
Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria: person's general health condition or prior treatments.Any sex
Biological sex of participants that are eligible to enroll.Over 3 Years
Range of ages for which participants are eligible to join.Healthy volunteers not allowed
If individuals who are healthy and do not have the condition being studied can participate.Conditions
Pathology
Criteria
Study Plan
Find out more about all the medication administered in this study, their detailed description and what they involve.One single intervention group is designated in this study
This study does not include a placebo group
Treatment Groups
Group I
Study Objectives
Primary Objectives
Study Centers
These are the hospitals, clinics, or research facilities where the trial is being conducted. You can find the location closest to you and its status.This study has 1 location