Pittsburgh, PANCT02890342Now EnrollingIRB Ready

Metabolic Disease Clinical Trial in Pittsburgh, PA

Access cutting-edge metabolic disease treatment through this clinical trial at a research site in Pittsburgh. Study-provided care at no cost to qualified participants.

Sponsored by National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)

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Expert Care in Pittsburgh

Access metabolic disease specialists at no cost

IRB Approved

This study follows strict safety protocols and ethical guidelines

No-Cost Care

All study-related metabolic disease treatment provided free

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Check if you qualify for this metabolic disease clinical trial in Pittsburgh, PA

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Why Participate?

  • No-Cost Study Care

  • Local to Pittsburgh

    Convenient for PA residents

  • Cutting-Edge Treatment

    Access to innovative therapies

  • Expert Medical Care

    Close monitoring by specialists

  • Possible Compensation*

    For time and travel

*Compensation varies by study. Confirm details with coordinator.

Simple Process

  1. 1Submit this form
  2. 2Phone screening
  3. 3Visit Pittsburgh site if eligible
  4. 4Begin participation

About This Metabolic Disease Study in Pittsburgh

Background: People s bodies need to break down food into the chemicals. These chemicals are used for energy and growth. Some people cannot process all chemicals very well. Too much of some chemicals can cause diseases. One of these diseases is called propionic acidemia (PA). People with PA can have problems with growth, learning heart, abdomen, and other organs. Researchers want to better understand how these problems happen. Objective: To learn more about propionic acidemia and the genes that might contribute to it. Eligibility: People at least 2 years old with PA who can travel to the clinic Some unaffected family members Design: Participants will have a 3 to 5-day hospital visit every year or every few years. Family members may have just 1 visit. During the family member visit, they may have: Medical history Physical exam Samples of blood and urine Questions about diet and a food diary Doctors and nurses may do additional studies: Samples of saliva, skin and stool Fluid from a gastronomy tube, if participants have one Dental and eye evaluations A kidney test - a small amount of dye will be injected and blood will be collected. Consultations with specialists A test of calories needed at rest. A clear plastic tent is placed over the participant to measure breathing. Stable isotope study. Participants will take a nonradioactive substance then blow into a bag. Photos taken of the face and body with underwear on Ultrasound of the abdomen Heart tests Hand x-ray Brain scan Participants may have other tests if study doctors recommend them. They will get the results of standard medical tests and genetic tests.

Sponsor: National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)

Who Can Participate

Inclusion Criteria

Patients 2 years of age or older, of any gender and ethnicity, with propionic acidemia are eligible to enroll in this protocol. Patients diagnosis will be confirmed based on biochemical and/or molecular and enzymatic testing. Participants of any gender and ethnicity over 1 month of age are eligible to enroll remotely for collection of outside records and natural history data. They will be eligible to enroll in the full study for in-person evaluation at 2 years of age.
Unaffected family members over 1 month of age, of any ethnicity or race, may be included in the study as household controls for microbiome studies and/or for genetic analysis. Studies in unaffected family members may include collection of medical and family history; if necessary completion of physical examination; drawing of blood for research purposes include testing of DNA; collection of stool samples for microbiome studies; collection of dietary history using pen-and-paper or electronic food diary and questionnaires; collection of saliva for metabolite and DNA analysis. In some unaffected family members without a known familial cause of propionic acidemia, exome sequencing or genome sequencing could be performed. Unaffected family members will not receive direct benefit from taking part in the study.
If a participant becomes pregnant while on study, the participant can remain on study. The only way to learn more about the critical biological differences in those who affected with propionic acidemia who are pregnant is to continue to follow pregnant women on study. However, no tests or procedures that are greater then minimal risk will be performed. Affected subjects who are pregnant may undergo procedures as part of their clinical care, including blood draws, genetic studies, and consultations, according to the clinical judgement of the clinical team. However, pregnant participants will be excluded from procedures such as organ tissue collection, stable isotope studies, GFR testing, and brain or cardiac MRI until the pregnancy is concluded.
Healthy volunteers may be eligible to participate in the study if they are between 12 - 40 years of age, must meet specific BMI criteria (similar to affected individuals studied).
Patients with propionic acidemia over 1 month of age, of any gender and ethnicity, undergoing a transplantation surgery at Children s Hospital of Pittsburgh, are eligible to participate in the tissue collection arm of the study.

Exclusion Criteria

The PI/AI may decline to enroll a patient because of poor metabolic control, lack of a primary metabolic/genetics physician, and intercurrent infection are exclusion criteria for this protocol, the likelihood that an acutely ill or poorly controlled patient will enroll will be minimized.
A subset of participants may be enrolled in the tissue collection part of the study only (i.e. if they are too sick to travel). We can may also arrange limited remote consultation with our research team and NIH consultants, the participants referring physician and the participant/their legal guardian through the telephone or an NIH supported telehealth platform for participants who are unable to safely travel to NIH. This would not replace a study visit but would be used when travel isn t possible due to extenuating circumstances (e.g. pandemic). Participants would be encouraged to follow-up for a more thorough in-person evaluation when they are able to travel to NIH.
For the healthy volunteers, they will be excluded if they have halitosis, cavities, dental or gingival problems, respiratory diseases (for example, asthma or recent history of COVID19), use tobacco products (for example, cigarette smoking or chewing tobacco), or use electronic nicotine delivery systems (for example, use of e-cigarettes or vaping devices), as this may interfere with accurate measurement of their volatile organic compounds. NIH staff and their family members will be eligible to participate in the healthy volunteer portion of the study.

Not sure if you qualify? Submit your interest and a study coordinator will help determine your eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:Is this study available in Pittsburgh?

Yes, this clinical trial (NCT02890342) has an active research site in Pittsburgh, PA that is currently enrolling participants.

Q:Is it safe to participate?

Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. This study has been reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals. You can withdraw at any time.

Q:Will I be compensated?

Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time and travel expenses. Specific compensation details will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is provided at no cost.

Q:Can I leave the trial if I change my mind?

Absolutely. Participation is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty.

Still have questions? Our study coordinators are here to help.

Metabolic Disease Treatment Options in Pittsburgh, PA

If you're searching for metabolic disease treatment options in Pittsburgh, PA, this clinical trial (NCT02890342) may be an excellent opportunity. Clinical trials provide access to cutting-edge treatments that aren't yet available to the general public, often at no cost to participants.

Our Pittsburgh research site is actively enrolling participants for this clinical trial. You'll receive care from experienced metabolic disease specialists who are at the forefront of medical research. All study-related care, including examinations, treatments, and monitoring, is provided at no cost to qualified participants.

Looking for more options? Browse all metabolic disease clinical trials near you to find additional studies recruiting in your area.

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