Genetic Studies of Strabismus, Congenital Cranial Dysinnervation Disorders (CCDDs), and Their Associated Anomalies
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03059420 |
Recruitment Status :
Recruiting
First Posted : February 23, 2017
Last Update Posted : August 5, 2020
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Condition or disease |
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Congenital Fibrosis of Extraocular Muscles Duane Retraction Syndrome Duane Radial Ray Syndrome Mobius Syndrome Brown Syndrome Marcus Gunn Syndrome Strabismus Congenital Horizontal Gaze Palsy Horizontal Gaze Palsy With Progressive Scoliosis Facial Palsy Facial Paresis, Hereditary, Congenital Third Nerve Palsy Fourth Nerve Palsy Sixth Nerve Palsy Synkinesis Ocular Motility Disorders Levator-Medial Rectus Synkinesis Athabaskan Brainstem Dysgenesis Tongue Paralysis Ninth Nerve Disorder Fifth Nerve Palsy Seventh Nerve Palsy Eleventh Nerve Disorder Twelfth Nerve Disorder Vagus Nerve Paralysis Moebius Sequence |
If left untreated or unrecognized, strabismus or misalignment of the eyes, can impair the development of normal vision and is recognized to be an inherited trait in some families. The Engle Lab has investigated the genetics of complex and common strabismus and eyelid movement disorders for over 10 years and the lab's interests have expanded to include Congenital Cranial Dysinnervation Disorders (CCDDs) which are neurological disorders affecting one or more of the 12 cranial nerves. Cranial nerves control bodily functions such as movement of the eyes, transmission of visual information, smell, facial sensation, facial expression, blinking, hearing, balance, taste, chewing and swallowing.
Based on genetic studies on individuals with eye movement and eyelid disorders, the lab learned that some individuals have additional ocular defects, vascular, limb and other abnormalities. In addition, in some families relatives who carry the gene mutation may manifest the familial syndrome by having only some additional features but NOT the oculomotility disorder. Therefore, to gain greater understanding of the spectrum of the disorders being investigated, we may also enroll individuals without eye movement or lid defects who have symptoms associated with mutations in congenital cranial dysinnervation disorder (CCDD) genes.
Study Type : | Observational |
Estimated Enrollment : | 20000 participants |
Observational Model: | Cohort |
Time Perspective: | Other |
Official Title: | Genetic Studies of Strabismus, Congenital Cranial Dysinnervation Disorders (CCDDs), and Their Associated Anomalies |
Actual Study Start Date : | February 1, 2004 |
Estimated Primary Completion Date : | January 2022 |
Estimated Study Completion Date : | January 2022 |

- Identifying and characterizing genes important in normal development and function of the ocular motility system, cranial nerves and brainstem and associated with congenital cranial dysinnervation disorders and related anomalies. [ Time Frame: Ongoing ]This is an observational, descriptive study with no interventions geared towards identifying novel genes and characterizing their function, expression and impact on human cranial nerve development and disease. As genes previously undescribed in the human population are identified and characterized, reports regarding these details will be written and published but such timelines are impossible to predict. Also, as new information on previously identified genes is gathered generated, additional reports will be issued through scientific publications. As long as funding is available, the work will proceed in a rolling, ongoing timeline.
Biospecimen Retention: Samples With DNA

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Ages Eligible for Study: | Child, Adult, Older Adult |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Sampling Method: | Non-Probability Sample |
Inclusion Criteria:
- The Engle Lab is very interested in enrolling individuals with congenital conditions related to eye movement, cranial nerve and brainstem-based dysfunction, often broadly referred to as congenital cranial dysinnervation disorders (CCDDs).
Exclusion Criteria:
- Individuals with cranial nerve disorders associated with known disorders, such as Saethre-Chotzen associated with established genetic mutations, or acquired conditions including trauma, stroke, tumor or spinal cord injuries.

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT03059420
Contact: Brenda J Barry, MS | 617-919-2168 | brenda.barry2@childrens.harvard.edu | |
Contact: Engle Admin | 617-919-4030 | engle.admin@childrens.harvard.edu |
United States, Massachusetts | |
Boston Children's Hospital | Recruiting |
Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02115 |
Principal Investigator: | Elizabeth Engle, MD | Boston Children's Hospital |
Responsible Party: | Elizabeth Engle, Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Professor of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT03059420 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
05-03-036R R01EY015298 ( U.S. NIH Grant/Contract ) |
First Posted: | February 23, 2017 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | August 5, 2020 |
Last Verified: | August 2020 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: | No |
CFEOM (Congenital Fibrosis of Extraocular Muscles) CCDD (Congenital Cranial Dysinnervation Disorders) DRS (Duane Retraction Syndrome) DRRS (Duane Radial Ray Syndrome) Strabismus |
MGJWS (Marcus Gunn Jaw Winking Syndrome) HGP (Horizontal Gaze Palsy) HGPPS (Horizontal Gaze Palsy with Progressive Scoliosis) Moebius |
Scoliosis Facial Paralysis Mobius Syndrome Paralysis Strabismus Paresis Peripheral Nervous System Diseases Synkinesis Ocular Motility Disorders Duane Retraction Syndrome Ophthalmoplegia Hypoglossal Nerve Diseases Accessory Nerve Diseases Abducens Nerve Diseases Trochlear Nerve Diseases |
Oculomotor Nerve Diseases Disease Syndrome Fibrosis Facies Pathologic Processes Neurologic Manifestations Nervous System Diseases Disease Attributes Spinal Curvatures Spinal Diseases Bone Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Congenital Abnormalities Cranial Nerve Diseases |