Natural History Study of Patients With Neurofibromatosis Type I (NCT00924196)
Natural History Study and Longitudinal Assessment of Children, Adolescents, and Adults With Neurofibromatosis Type 1
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
Background: Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder in which patients are at increased risk of developing tumors (usually non-cancerous) of the central and peripheral nervous system. The disease affects essentially every organ system. The natural course of NFI over time is poorly understood. For most patients the only treatment option is surgery. A better understanding of NF1 may be helpful for the design of future treatment studies. Objectives: To evaluate people with NF1 over 10 years in order to better understand the natural history of the disease. To characterize the patient population and to examine how NFI affects patients quality of life and function. Eligibility: Children, adolescents, and adults with NF1. Design: Participants have a comprehensive baseline evaluation including genetic testing, tumor imaging, pain and quality-of-life assessments, and neuropsychological, motor and endocrine evaluations. Patients are monitored every 6 months to every 3 years, depending on their individual findings at the baseline study. Tests may include the following, as appropriate: * Medical history, physical examination and blood tests. * Whole body and face photography to monitor visible deformities. * Neuropsychological testing, quality-of-life evaluations, motor function tests, endocrinologic evaluations, heart and lung function tests, hearing tests, bone density scans and other bone evaluations. * MRI and PET scans to detect and assess plexiform neurofibromas (tumors that arise from nerves and can cause serious problems), paraspinal neurofibromas (tumors that arise from nerves around the spine and can cause problems by compressing the spinal cord), and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (a type of cancer that arises from a peripheral nerve or involves the sheath covering the nerve). * Eye exams, MRI scans and PET scans to evaluate optic pathway gliomas (tumors arising from the vision nerves or the brain areas for vision) and the chemicals within the tumor and brain. * Eye exams and photographs to evaluate the development of Lisch nodules (non-cancerous tumors on the eye). * Photographs of dermal neurofibromas (tumors of the skin), cafe-au-lait spots (dark or pigmented areas on the skin that are often the first signs of NF1) and other skin problems. * Pain evaluations to monitor the different types of pain patients experience, causes of the pain, how often the pain occurs, effect of the pain on quality of life, and what pain medications and alternative treatments, such as acupuncture, are effective.
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (14 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (4 items).
Location: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center — Bethesda, Maryland
Age range: 4 Weeks
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
- In the opinion of the investigator the patient is not able to return for follow-up visits or obtain required follow-up studies.
- In the opinion of the investigator the patient is not able to obtain an MRI scan.
- Individuals who are pregnant or breast feeding or who become pregnant while enrolled on this trial will not be excluded from participation, but will not undergo radiographic evaluations or MRI scans requested for research purposes, or other studies which might negatively impact on the pregnancy.
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- National Institutes of Health Clinical Center — Bethesda, Maryland
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.
More studies in Neurofibromatosis Type 1
- Pharmacokinetics, Safety and Efficacy of the Selumetinib Granule Formulation in Children Aged ≥1 to <7 Years With NF1-related Symptomatic, Inoperable PN — Akron, Ohio
- Development of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Assessing Tumor Visibility and Appearance Concerns in Neurofibromatosis Type 1: A Qualitative Study — Bethesda, Maryland
- Identification of Pre-Malignant Lesions In Pediatric Patients With Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Using Novel Magnetic Resonance Imaging Techniques Paired With Artificial Intelligence — Los Angeles, California
- Natural History Study of Cutaneous Neurofibromas in People With NF1 — Baltimore, Maryland
- A Study to Evaluate the Feasibility of a Physiologic Biomarker to Assess Pain and Other Sensory Problems Using Pupillometry in Participants With Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) — Washington D.C., District of Columbia
Explore by condition: All Neurofibromatosis Type 1 clinical trials
💡 How to Participate
- Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
- Review the official NIH record below to find the coordinating site.
- Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
- Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.