Clinical Research Studies

Dr. Juan Pascual, MD, PhD

Juan M. Pascual, M.D., Ph.D.
Principal Investigator

Juan Pascual, M.D., Ph.D., has special clinical research expertise in glucose metabolism, mitochondrial and unusual degenerative and multi-organ disorders. As one of the few pediatric neurologists in the nation who is also a laboratory scientist and an adult neurologist, Dr. Pascual is interested in the molecular mechanisms that cause inherited metabolic and excitability disorders using electrophysiology and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) both in human subjects and in models of human diseases.

UT Southwestern aims to foster translational research that makes a real difference in clinical care by moving discoveries “from bench to bedside.” The Rare Brain Disorders Program embodies this call and plays a key role in translational research efforts including programs funded by the National Institutes of Health. Currently, scientists in the laboratory are pursuing five key areas of investigation:

  • Development and improvement of treatments for patients with rare diseases
  • Whole genome testing to diagnose disorders by fully screening each patient’s DNA
  • Brain imaging based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for precise, noninvasive diagnosis and monitoring
  • Examining single brain cells in culture to identify mechanisms of rare diseases
  • Generating disease models to test the safety and effectiveness of potential treatments for rare brain disorders

Studies

Breastfeeding and Puberty Survey

Dr. Juan Pascual is interested in learning more about breastfeeding and puberty in patients with glucose transporter type 1 disorder (G1D) or who have symptoms of (G1D). We invite all adult patients diagnosed with G1D or the adult caregivers of minor patients with G1D to participate in our research study and fill out a survey.

To respond to the survey:

Seizure Survey

Dr. Pascual is interested in learning more about certain types of seizures in patients with glucose transporter type 1 disorder (G1D)  and how seizures are treated in G1D. We invite all adult patients diagnosed with G1D or the adult caregivers of minor patients with G1D to fill out the following survey, regardless of seizure frequency or status.

To respond to the survey:

  • Open the PDF form here: Seizure Survey (English) or Seizure Survey (Spanish)
  • Answer the questions using the form's drop down menus and blanks.
  • Name the file and save it to your computer in a place where you can find it.
  • Open a new email to Rare.Diseases@UTSouthwestern.edu.
  • Attach your saved PDF form, and click send.

We are also conducting several clinical trials that you may want to consider. Please email xxx@UTSouthwestern.edu for information if you are interested in participating in any of the following studies:

  • COMPLETED Treatment Development of Triheptanoin for Glucose Transporter Type I deficiency syndrome (G1D) 
  • PENDING Next stage: Comprehensive neurological and metabolic short and long-term outcomes of Glucose Transporter Type I deficiency (G1D) patients receiving the medical food triheptanoin (C7 oil)
  • ACTIVE The Glucose Transporter Type I deficiency syndrome Research Consortium (G1DRC)
  • ACTIVE The Glucose Transporter Type I deficiency (G1D) Registry www.G1DRegistry.org 
  • ACTIVE Distribution of Markers of Inherited Metabolic Diseases
  • ACTIVE The NIH Office of Rare Diseases Research Collaboration, Education and Test Translation (CETT) Program for Glucose Transporter Type I deficiency (G1D)
  • ACTIVE Repository for the study of the molecular basis of rare and undiagnosed encephalopathies 
  • ACTIVE NMR observation of muscle and brain oxidative metabolism
  • ACTIVE North American Mitochondrial Disease Consortium
  • ENROLLMENT COMPLETED Treatment Development for Adult Polyglucosan Body Disease (APBD) due to deficiency of Glycogen Brancher Enzyme (GBE)
  • COMPLETED Biochemical, Clinical, Radiologic and Genotypic Analysis of MELAS, Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathy, Lactic Acidosis, and Stroke-like Episodes