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Efficacy of a Therapeutic Treatment Trial in Angelman Syndrome

This study has been designed to evaluate the possible therapeutic benefits of L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (Metafolin), vitamin B12, creatine and betaine in children with Angelman Syndrome (AS).

This study is based on the hypotheses 1) that dietary manipulation may increase global DNA methylation; 2) that increased methylation of the paternal chromosome in AS participants may increase expression of the Angelman gene causing clinical benefit; and 3) that dietary interventions with Metafolin in conjunction with creatine, betaine, and vitamin B12 would represent little risk, but some chance for benefit. The dietary regimen is felt to be quite benign and safe. The clinical response will be measured by recording: changes in seizure activity, changes in communication skills, changes in developmental skills and changes in behavioral patterns as indicated by formal developmental assessments and clinical evaluations. We will assess the progress of the participants by monitoring their changes from baseline throughout their participation in the study and measure their improvement in particular in the developmental parameters.

As a secondary aim, we plan to measure the biochemical response to these compounds by obtaining levels of homocysteine, methionine, S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM), and S-adenosyl-homocysteine (SAH). The molecular response will be measured by global DNA methylation analysis.

As an exploratory aim, we hope to use control data we have previously obtained from a double blind placebo-controlled trial done in the past using betaine and folic acid to compare the development of those children who have and those who have not received medications. More specifically, we wish to compare differences in the rate of development for those children who have never received study medications (from the first trial) with those who have received medications from the present trial. Developmental parameters used in the previous trial will be consistent with those used in the present trial in order to permit these comparisons. The previous trial was conducted at Baylor College of Medicine, Rady San Diego Children's Hospital and Boston Children's Hospital whereas a group of AS participants received folic acid and betaine or placebo in a randomized double-blind basis.

All the participants for the study will include patients who have a documented molecular diagnosis of AS. The participants will be seen at Baylor College of Medicine, Rady Children's Hospital of San Diego, Boston Children's Hospital and the Greenwood Genetics Center at 0 months and at 12 months for follow-up. Clinical and relevant historical data will be collected during the clinical visit and examination and also by reviewing medical and laboratory records. This information will then be entered into a HIPAA compliant clinical research database.