Natural History Study of CADASIL

Background:

CADASIL (cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarct and leukoencephalopathy) is a genetic disorder. It causes narrowing of the small blood vessels and can lead to strokes and dementia. Researchers want to monitor people with CADASIL over time.

Objective:

To learn more about how CADASIL affects a person s blood vessels over time.

Eligibility:

Adults ages 18 and older who have CADASIL, and healthy volunteers.

Design:

Participants will be screened with a medical record review.

Participants will have 4 study visits over 9 years. Visits will last 6 8 hours per day, for 2 4 days.

Participants will give blood and urine samples. They will have an electrocardiogram to record their heart s electrical activity. They will fill out a family tree. They will have tests that measure mental abilities like memory and attention. They may have a skin biopsy. They may have a lumbar puncture.

Participants will have an eye exam. Their pupils will be dilated. They will receive a dye via intravenous (IV) line. Pictures will be taken of their eyes.

Participants will have an imaging scan of their brain. They may receive a contrast agent via IV.

Participants blood flow and blood vessel flexibility will be measured. In one test, a probe will be pressed against the skin of the their wrist, neck, and groin. In another test, they will hold one arm still while a microscope makes videos of the blood flow through a fingernail. In another test, they will perform light exercise or other activities while wearing an elastic band around their head or probes placed on their arm or leg.

Healthy volunteers will complete some of the above tests.

Study Description:

This is a disease discovery/natural history protocol. We will enroll up to 110 CADASIL subjects with the goal of 100 CADASIL subjects completing the study to perform in-depth prospective and retrospective evaluations for research purposes and up to 45 healthy control subjects with the goal of 40 completing the study for comparison.

Objectives:

Primary Objective: This study will examine the pathogenesis and progression of CADASIL through comprehensive evaluations, and molecular studies on biospecimens collected from affected individuals.

Secondary Objective: Comprehensive evaluations will be used to investigate variability of the genotype and clinical phenotype of CADASIL during the study period.

Exploratory Objective: Healthy controls may be used for comparison for some of the research testing where data on normal values is lacking. Healthy controls will not be used to establish normal range values but for qualitative comparison with CADASIL population.

Eligibility Criteria:
* INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Eligibility for this study may be determined based on information collected under other NHLBI-approved protocols, outside records and patient report.

In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet criteria 1 \& 2 and either criteria 3 or 4:

1. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study.
2. Male or female, aged 18 to 100 years (inclusive).
3. Established diagnosis of CADASIL or NOTCH3 mutations, as determined by genetic testing.
4. Healthy controls.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:

1. Pregnancy or nursing at time of consent.
2. Subjects who lack capacity to consent and don't have a legally authorized representative.
3. Subjects who decline to provide samples for blood and/or tissue studies.
4. Subjects who do not speak English.
5. Subjects whose scans or examinations show unexpected brain conditions (outside of CADASIL) which would interfere with interpretation of testing.
6. Subjects unable to undergo an MRI scan or subjects meeting the following criteria:

   * Subjects who have internal non-MRI compatible metals (i.e., cardiac pacemaker, brain stimulator, shrapnel, surgical metal, clips in the brain or on blood vessels, cochlear implants, artificial heart valves or metal fragments in the eye) as these rendering an MRI unsafe
   * Subjects with ferromagnetic dental bridges or crowns (exclusion only for 7.0T)
   * Subjects unable to remain supine for the expected length of the MRI (i.e., up to 1 hour)
   * Subjects with uncontrolled head movements
   * Subjects who are claustrophobic for the expected length of the MRI (i.e., up to 1 hour) and claustrophobia cannot be controlled with anti-anxiety medication.