Neurosurgery

Below are current clinical trials.

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

1. A Registry to Follow Long-Term Outcomes for Mother and Child Pairs After Fetal Surgery for Spina Bifida

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to form a registry of data on the long term physical and mental health outcomes of the mother and child following fetal surgical repair for spina bifida.

2. Carotid Revascularization and Medical Management for Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis Trial - Hemodynamics (CREST-H)

   Jacksonville, Fla., Rochester, Minn.

   We aim to determine whether cognitive impairment attributable to cerebral hemodynamic impairment in patients with high-grade asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis is reversible with restoration of flow. To accomplish this aim CREST-H will add on to the NINDS-sponsored CREST-2 trial (parallel, outcome-blinded Phase 3 clinical trials for patients with asymptomatic high-grade carotid artery stenosis which will compare carotid endarterectomy plus intensive medical management (IMM) versus IMM alone (n=1,240), and carotid artery stenting plus IMM versus IMM alone (n=1,240) to prevent stroke and death). CREST-H addresses the intriguing question of whether cognitive impairment can be reversed when it arises from abnormal cerebral hemodynamic perfusion in a hemodynamically impaired subset of the CREST-2 -randomized patients. We will enroll 500 patients from CREST-2, all of whom receive cognitive assessments at baseline and yearly thereafter. We anticipate identifying 100 patients with hemodynamic impairment as measured by an inter-hemispheral MRI perfusion "time to peak" (TTP) delay on the side of stenosis. Among those who are found to be hemodynamically impaired and have baseline cognitive impairment, the cognitive batteries at baseline and at 1 year will determine if those with flow failure who are randomized to a revascularization arm in CREST-2 will have better cognitive outcomes than those in the medical-only arm compared with this treatment difference for those who have no flow failure. We hypothesize that hemodynamically significant "asymptomatic" carotid disease may represent one of the few examples of treatable causes of cognitive impairment. If cognitive decline can be reversed in these patients, then we will have established a new indication for carotid revascularization independent of the risk of recurrent stroke.

3. Acupuncture For The Treatment of Autonomic Dysfunction

   Jacksonville, Fla.

   The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the benefits of acupuncture in patients who have refractory autonomic dysfunction, including nausea, emesis, ileus, diabetic gastroparesis, failure to thrive.

4. Vaccine Therapy and Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells in Treating Patients With Recurrent Glioblastoma

   Rochester, Minn., Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz.

   This pilot early phase I trial studies the side effects of vaccine therapy and cytokine-induced killer cells in treating patients with glioblastoma that has come back. Vaccines made from a person's white blood cells mixed with tumor proteins from another person's glioblastoma tumors may help the body build an effective immune response to kill tumor cells. Cytokine-induced killer cells are white blood cells with a powerful ability to kill tumor cells without any further modification. Giving vaccine therapy and cytokine-induced killer cells may work better in treating patients with glioblastoma.

5. Clinical Outcomes Following Shunting for Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (iNPH)

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to collect data to objectively monitor the clinical outcomes of patients following CSF shunting for the treatment of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus in order to optimize the surgical care of patients with this disease.

6. Viral Therapy in Treating Patients with Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme

   Rochester, Minn.

   RATIONALE: Vaccines made from a gene-modified virus may help the body build an effective immune response to kill tumor cells.

   PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of viral therapy in treating patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme.

7. Investigation of Regulatory Genes in Pathophysiology of Craniosynostosis

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to collect tissue (during the initial procedure only) that is surgically removed (and routinely discarded at Mayo Clinic) from CS patients. Portions of the tissue will be embedded in plastic for histological and histomorphometric analysis. A small portion of the tissue will be used for outgrowth cultures to isolate cells. Nucleic acid and protein will be extracted from the remaining portions of the tissue and/or isolated cell lines to examine candidate genes and their role in the disease process.

8. Spine Registry to Collect Outcome Measures Related to the Disease Status of Patients with Spine Disorders-Metastic Tumor Research and Outcome Network (MTRON)

   Rochester, Minn.

   By collecting similar data on patients with a variety of spine conditions, a more complete picture of the general characteristics of patients with spine disease can be obtained about the condition from patients across several hospitals in several countries. Research of this kind will hopefully help future patients.

9. A Study of Swallowing Problems and Aspiration Risks in Elderly Patients with Cervical Spine Fractures

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence of swallowing disorders and the risk for aspiration in elderly patients who have cervical spine fractures.

10. A Study of a New Recording Electrode to Record Brain Activity During Surgery

    Rochester, Minn.

    This research study will investigate a new recording electrode that will record brain activity during surgery. This electrode is being tested for efficacy, and may eventually replace the current electrodes used for this purpose. The goal is to record brain activity in a region of the brain that is already being removed to treat epilepsy.