Charcot Marie Tooth Disease

The Microrchidia CW-type zinc finger 2 (MORC2) gene encodes a protein expressed in all tissues and enriched in the brain. It is involved in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, with mire than 30 families presenting MORC2 mutations. Recently, MORC2 mutation have been shown to be responsible for more complex phenotypes like DIFGAN: developmental delay, impaired growth, dysmorphic facies and axonal neuropathy. Different mutations are responsible from a diverse spectrum of phenotype, from CMT to DIFGAN. MORC2 is involved, through its ATPase activity, in DNA repair, chromatin remodeling and epigenetic silencing via the Human silencing hub (HUSH) complex. Our hypothesis is that the hypo- or hyper-activation of the HUSH complex by different MORC2 mutations could be responsible for different phenotypes in patients. The aim of this study is to perform a genotype-phenotype correlation study in patients presenting MORC2 mutations.

Tremor is a symptom that has already been described in many case reports and case series concerning patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. However, the pathophysiology of tremor in this condition remains largely unclear. It has also not been sufficiently investigated to what extent tremor in CMT patients constitutes a relevant impairment of quality of life. This project focuses on a more detailed characterization of tremor in CMT patients using surface electromyography and accelerometer analysis, as well as the collection of individual clinical data, particularly regarding the symptom of tremor, in order to facilitate the characterization and etiological classification of the tremor. In addition, a questionnaire-based assessment will be conducted to capture the impact of tremor on activities of daily living and the associated burden in this specific patient cohort. The entire data collection process will be supported by a clinical examination, which will be video-recorded by experienced neurologists to ensure more reliable analysis. This serves both the characterization of tremor and the illustration of its functional limitations. Where available, the data will be correlated with genetic variants to allow conclusions about possible genetic predispositions or disease progression. As a control group, CMT patients who have not yet reported a tremor will be included.

This study has the general objective of observing walking parameters during a clinical test to objectively estimate fatigue in patients with neuromuscular diseases. Furthermore, the investigators want to evaluate the feasibility of collecting physical activity in daily life conditions during a one-week monitoring period using a wearable sensor.

This is an observational longitudinal study to determine the natural history and genotype-phenotype correlations of disease causing mutations in Charcot Marie Tooth disease (CMT) type 1B (CMT1B), 2A (CMT2A), 4A (CMT4A), and 4C (CMT4C). The investigators will also be determine the capability of the newly developed CMT Pediatric Scale (CMT Peds scale) and the Minimal Dataset to measure impairment and perform longitudinal measurements in patients with multiple forms of CMT over a five year window

This study will assess the serum NT-3 levels in individuals with the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy or any type of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Neuropathy (CMT) and correlate this with function.

The primary objective is to demonstrate, in a population of chronic neuromuscular disease the non-inferiority of a rehabilitation treatment integrated with robotic and/or technological devices compared to traditional rehabilitation treatment in the level of fatigue. The main question it aims to answer is: Are high-tech rehabilitation interventions, including robotic systems, virtual reality, and stabilometric platforms, not inferior to traditional rehabilitation methods in improving balance, motor function, fatigue levels, sarcopenia, cognitive engagement, and overall quality of life in patients with chronic neuromuscular diseases (NMDs)? Researchers will compare a robotic treatment group, that consists in an high-tech rehabilitation, with a control group, that will receive the traditional rehabilitative treatment.

The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Research Institute is performing this research to accelerate Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease research and drug development by using cells from the body (such as skin or blood cells) to make stem cells and other types of cells, conduct research on the samples, perform genetic testing, and/or store the samples for future use. Through this research, researchers hope to identify future treatments or even cures for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

The goal of this Natural History Study for Charcot-Marie-Tooth is to acquire, record, and analyze patient-reported data and associated genetic reports, Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and clinical notes to identify the burden, diagnostic journey, and prevalence of disease that will aid scientists in their work toward finding a cure. Participants will be asked to complete a Natural History Survey.

The aim of the study is to analyze the natural history data data from Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and related disorders in China, to assess the clinical, genetic, epigenetic features of patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and to optimize clinical management.