Niemann Pick Diseases

Hyperspectral retinal imaging is a non-invasive imaging modality in which a series of images of the retina are captured using light of different wavelengths. The resulting "hypercube" of data provides a wealth of information about the retinal structure. Our group has developed evidence supporting a role for this technology in the detection of retinal amyloid beta in Alzheimer's disease. We are undertaking further studies to establish the role of this method in the assessment of people with dementia, or those at risk of Alzheimer's disease. In addition, we wish to test whether the approach may have value in other forms of dementia or neurodegenerative disease such as Parkinson's disease, Lewy-Body dementia or vascular dementia.

The purpose of this study is to understand the course of rare genetic disorders that affect the brain. This data is being analyzed to gain a better understanding of the progression of the rare neurodegenerative disorders and the effects of interventions.

US, multicenter, cohort, open label observational study with primary data collection. Ancillary protocol-specified procedures to address the study objectives (eg, assessment of ADA) may be considered outside the standard of care for acid sphingomyelinase deficiency (ASMD), but the study methodology remains non-interventional, as the additional collection of data from participants will not dictate treatment. The total overall study duration will be 5 years. The follow-up period will be a minimum of 1 year to a maximum of 3 years. The enrollment period will be up to 4 years, to allow a minimum of 1 year of follow-up for the last participant enrolled.