Longitudinal Studies of Brain Structure and Function in MPS Disorders

The mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS diseases) are lysosomal disorders (inborn errors of metabolism) that progressively affect most organ systems in the body, usually beginning in childhood. Recent treatment advances have produced amelioration of some of these malfunctions, but notably brain and bone have been difficult to effectively treat. This research addresses the brain abnormalities in the MPS disorders, about which little is known. The objectives of this research are: 1. to identify abnormalities of central nervous system (CNS) structure and function as well as to measure quality-of-life (QOL) in both treated and untreated MPS patients over time. The investigators will accomplish this through longitudinal studies of enrolled patients in designated centers in North America. 2. to develop quantitative measurements of change, including direct measurement of neuropsychological function; surrogate MRI markers; and biomarkers to measure stage of disease and treatment outcomes. 3. to examine the degree to which independent variables have an impact on both functional and structural outcome. Independent variables may include, but are not limited to: age at first treatment, severity of disease, types of medical abnormalities, nature of genetic mutation, medical events, and sensory abnormalities. 4. to examine how treatments such as Enzyme Replacement Therapy (ERT), Hematopoietic Cell Transplant (HCT), substrate reduction, and other palliative and rehabilitative therapies differentially affect CNS structure and function, as well as the subject's quality of life.