Neurology

Below are current clinical trials.

Filter this list of studies by location, status and more.

1. Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to determine and compare the safety and efficacy of transcutaneous afferent patterned stimulation (TAPS) and respiratory-gated auricular vagal afferent nerve stimulation (RAVANS) therapies for the reduction of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) burden.

2. Multiscale EEG Dynamics

   Rochester, Minn., Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz.

   The purpose if this study  to combine state of the art cerebral signal processing techniques and localization methods with intracranial electrode recordings to investigate the interaction of local hippocampal and neocortical networks with distributed brain activity.

3. Advanced Care Planning in Dementia

   Jacksonville, Fla.

   The goal of this study is to gain a better understanding of the status of advanced care planning among caregivers of patients with dementia and examine how this differs by race and disease stage.

4. A Study of the Possible Use of a New Imaging Method with Glioma Tumors

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to see if Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE) a recently developed imaging technique can be used to characterize and help stage glioma tumors and evaluate response to therapy.

5. Memantine Hydrochloride and Whole-Brain Radiotherapy With or Without Hippocampal Avoidance in Reducing Neurocognitive Decline in Patients With Brain Metastases

   Mankato, Minn., La Crosse, Wis., Eau Claire, Wis., Rochester, Minn., Albert Lea, Minn.

   This randomized phase III trial compares memantine hydrochloride and whole-brain radiotherapy with or without hippocampal avoidance in reducing neurocognitive decline in patients with cancer that has spread from the primary site (place where it started) to the brain. Whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) is the most common treatment for brain metastasis. Unfortunately, the majority of patients with brain metastases experience cognitive (such as learning and memory) deterioration after WBRT. Memantine hydrochloride may enhance cognitive function by binding to and inhibiting channels of receptors located in the central nervous system. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Using radiation techniques, such as intensity modulated radiotherapy to avoid the hippocampal region during WBRT, may reduce the radiation dose to the hippocampus and help limit the radiation-induced cognitive decline. It is not yet known whether giving memantine hydrochloride and WBRT with or without hippocampal avoidance works better in reducing neurocognitive decline in patients with brain metastases.

6. Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network (DIAN)

   Jacksonville, Fla.

   The purpose of this study is to identify potential biomarkers that may predict the development of Alzheimer's disease in people who carry an Alzheimer's mutation.

7. Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers for Brain Tumors

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to help generate a repository of Cerebrospinal  Fluid (CSF) samples relevant to neuro-oncology research that may facilitate the identification of biomarkers that are predictive of disease burden, therapeutic susceptibility or response to therapy. This protocol will also provide a vehicle for CSF access for patients or providers wishing to generate or evaluate individualized biomarkers as part of other research or individualized therapy protocols.

8. A Study To Explore If It Is Possible To Successfully Obtain Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Imaging And Data While Patients Undergo Brain Surgery

   Jacksonville, Fla.

   The goal of this study is to investigate the feasibility of successfully obtaining intra-operative OCT imaging and data during standard brain surgery.

9. Blood and Spinal Fluid Collection for Research Studies in Motor Neuron Disease and Motor Neuropathy

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is so that blood (plasma and blood cells) and/or extra spinal fluid (which was taken for clinical purposes) can be obtained and stored for later research on a large cohort of patients with progressive motor neuronopathies and neuropathies, many of which will be determined to suffer from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). 

10. Magnetic Resonance Elastography of Traumatic Brain Injury

    Rochester, Minn.

    This purpose of this pilot study is to determine if there are changes in mild TBI detectible with MRE. This is the first time this novel technology has been applied to mild TBI and the anticipated results are theoretical.