The overall objective of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of AAV2-hAADC delivered to the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) in children with aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency.
SIngle-Stage, Open-Label, Safety and Efficacy Study of Adeno-Associated Virus Encoding Human Aromatic L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase by Magnetic Resonance MR-guided Infusion Into Midbrain in Pediatric Patients With AADC Deficiency
The Study will specifically address:
- Safety, as measured by adverse events (AEs), safety laboratory tests, brain imaging, and the relationship of AEs to study/surgical procedures or to AAV2 hAADC.
- Clinical responses to treatment with AAV2-hAADC. The primary clinical outcomes will reflect the predominant motor deficits of loss of motor function and dystonic movements.
Primary Endpoints Safety: Assessment of AE or severe AE (SAE) and its relationship to study surgery, infusion, or treatment effect (graded as definite, probable, possible, unlikely or unrelated).
- Adverse Events and Serious Adverse Events
- Post-operative MRI and/or CT (with contrast if clinically indicated)
- Clinical laboratory assessments (hematology, chemistry, immunology) Biological Activity: Demonstration of effective restoration of AADC function by assays of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neurotransmitter metabolites and 18-fluoro-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (F-DOPA) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging.
Secondary and Exploratory Endpoints To obtain preliminary data for clinical response by assessing the magnitude and variability of changes in specific outcomes.
The principal clinical outcome measures are:
- Motor function, as assessed by the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88)
- Frequency of oculogyric episodes, as measured by a Symptom Diary
Secondary clinical outcome measures include:
• Assessment of subject disability, as assessed using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI); adaptive behavior, as assessed using Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale; Patient's Global Impression of Change (PGI-C); and quality of life, as determined using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL).
Although the investigators recognize that the utility of established developmental and cognitive assessments may be limited because of the study population's severe physical disability, the investigators will use the following:
- Peabody Developmental Motor Scales 2nd edition (PDMS-2)
- Bayley Scales of Infant Development, 3rd edition.