Growth Hormone Treatment in Children With Phelan McDermid Syndrome

Phelan McDermid syndrome (PMS) is a rare genetic form of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) due to deletions or mutations in the SHANK3 gene. This is a pilot open labeled trial of growth hormone therapy in children with PMS targeting social withdrawal and repetitive behavior. This research study will include children with PMS between 2-12 years of age who will receive growth hormone daily for 12 weeks, if found to be eligible. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of growth hormone on behavioral outcomes such as the aberrant behavior checklist social withdrawal subscale (ABC-SW) and repetitive behavior scale- revised (RBS-R). The effects of growth hormone on visual evoked potentials will also be assessed. Growth hormone increases insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels and a previous trial of IGF-1 therapy in PMS children showed improvement in these behavioral scales. Growth hormone has been studied for decades with an excellent safety profile and fewer adverse effects compared to IGF-1 therapy in other conditions. Hence, this may be a viable therapeutic option. There is no treatment currently available for PMS and this trial is therefore extremely important.

BACKGROUND: Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS) is a genetic form of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) associated with developmental delay and hypotonia. IGF-1 promotes brain vessel growth, neurogenesis, and synaptogenesis.

The research team previous clinical trial of IGF-1 in patients with Phelan McDermid Syndrome has shown improvement in core ASD symptoms using the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) and the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R). Growth hormone (GH) binds to its receptor and initiates a cascade of events which directly increases synthesis and release of IGF-1 levels. HYPOTHESIS: The study team hypothesize that rise in IGF-1 stimulated by growth hormone (GH) administration should produce improvement in behavior in children and adolescents with PMS as previously demonstrated with use of IGF-1.

RESEARCH PLAN: The study team seek to recruit 10 patients with PMS and administer growth hormone as once daily subcutaneous injections for 12 weeks at standard doses. The study team will monitor baseline anthropometric measures, laboratory parameters for growth, IGF-1 levels, and bone age prior to therapy and continue to monitor safety laboratory parameters during and after therapy. The goal of therapy would be to maintain IGF-1 levels between 1-2SD above the mean for age and puberty. Evaluations will include validated behavioral scales. Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) will be used as biomarkers of visual sensory reactivity.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Known pathogenic deletions or mutations in SHANK3 gene diagnosed by array CGH and/or direct sequencing.
* Children between 2 and 12 years of age.
* Open epiphyses on bone age x ray

Exclusion Criteria:

* closed epiphyses;
* active or suspected neoplasia;
* intracranial hypertension;
* hepatic insufficiency;
* renal insufficiency;
* cardiomegaly/valvulopathy;
* history of allergy to growth hormone or any component of the formulation (mecasermin);
* history of extreme prematurity (\<1000 grams) with associated early neo-natal complications, e.g. intra-cerebral
* hemorrhage, prolonged hypoxia, prolonged hypoglycemia;
* patients with comorbid conditions who are deemed too medically compromised to tolerate the risk of experimental treatment with growth hormone.
* Patient with visual problems that preclude the use of VEP's