A Cohort of Patients With Cystinosis : Compliance to Cysteamine and Neurological Complications

Preventing late onset of Cystinosis such as neurological complications and improving compliance to cysteamine treatment remain major challenges in management of subjects with cystinosis.

This study is designed to describe the relationship between compliance of patients with cystinosis treated with cysteamine and treatment efficacy and to understand the pathophysiologic mechanism of neurological disorders. Is cysteamine crossing the blood brain barrier? What is the impact of cystine accumulation in Cerebro Spinal Fluid and Central Nervous System? Our Primary objective is to study the relationship between compliance of patients treated with cysteamine and the WBC cystine level.

Secondary, the study will assess relationship between compliance to cysteamine and its neurological consequences.

The expected duration of the study is 48 months. The enrolment period is 24 months and the study participation of each subject is 24 months. Eligible participants are male and female (age \> 4 years) with confirmed diagnosis of cystinosis and receiving any oral cysteamine treatment: Cystagon or RP103.

The compliance under cysteamine is measured using electronic devices, accountability of study treatment, and information in patients' diary. Specific memory and visuoperceptual tests are performed at the beginning and at the end of patients'participation. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy is used to detect possible sites of cystine accumulation in the CNS and their relationship with compliance to cysteamine treatment. NMRS is also used to establish a relationship with the neuropsychological status of the subject.

To describe absorption, distribution and elimination of cysteamine, and its metabolic pathways, and to determine the concentration effect and dose effect relationship, blood samples are performed at each study visit. A lumbar puncture is also proposed to participants to verify if cysteamine is crossing the blood brain barrier. New tools are used to compare metabonomic networks in patients with cystinosis and their controls.


Eligibility Criteria:
* Male and female subjects with confirmed diagnosis of nephropathic cystinosis (defined by clinical signs and WBC cystine level).
* Age \> 4 years.
* Subjects receiving any oral cysteamine treatment: Cystagon or RP103.
* Sexually active female subjects of childbearing potential must agree to utilize the same acceptable form of contraception from day 1 through completion of the study.
* Subjects or their parent or legal guardian must provide written informed consent prior to participation in the study.
* Subjects covered by or having the right to social security.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Subjects with known hypersensitivity to cysteamine and penicillamine.
* Females who are nursing, planning a pregnancy, known or suspected to be pregnant, or with a positive urinary pregnancy test.
* Subjects who, in the opinion of the Investigator, are not able or willing to comply with the protocol.
* Contra-indication to MRI assessment

CONTROLS FOR METABONOMIC ASSESSMENTS

Inclusion Criteria:

- Age and sex matched to study population: Age range: patients aged 4 to 5 years, 6 to 11 years, patients aged 12 to 17 years, adult patients: 18 or above.

Sex: male or female

* Subjects or their parent or legal guardian must provide written informed consent prior to participation in the study.
* Subjects covered by or having the right to social security.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Any uropathology or nephropathology.

CONTROLS FOR NMRS ASSESSMENTS

Inclusion Criteria:

- Age and sex matched to study population: Age range: patients aged 4 to 5 years, 6 to 11 years, patients aged 12 to 17 years, adult patients: 18 or above.

Sex: male or female

* Subjects or their parent or legal guardian must provide written informed consent prior to participation in the study.
* Subjects covered by or having the right to social security.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Any uropathology or nephropathology.
* Any neurological and/or psychiatric disorder
* Contra-indication to MRI assessment.