Neurosurgery

Below are current clinical trials.

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

1. 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.

2. Use of Tamsulosin to Reduce the Incidence and Duration of Postoperative Urinary Retention Following Spine Surgery

   Rochester, Minn.

   Postoperative urinary retention is a frequent complication of spinal surgeries and impacts a large portion of this population which results in increased morbidity as a result of increased number of catheterizations, urinary tract infections (UTIs) and prolonged hospital stays. With the addition of Tamsulosin, the investigators would anticipate a reduction in the incidence and duration of postoperative urinary retention and therefore a reduction in morbidity related to treatment of urinary retention as well as shortened hospital stays.

3. A Study to Evaluate fMRI of Active Deep Brain Stimulation in Epilepsy

   Jacksonville, Fla.

   The purpose of this study is to to use functional imaging to study the mechanisms of anterior thalamic nucleus (ANT) Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS).

4. Posterior Fossa Decompression with or without Duraplasty for Chiari Type I Malformation with Syringomyelia

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to determine whether a posterior fossa decompression or a posterior fossa decompression with duraplasty results in better patient outcomes with fewer complications and improved quality of life in those who have Chiari malformation type I and syringomyelia.

5. 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.

6. A Study to Implement a Patient-Centered Pain Plan and Standardized Preoperative Pain Education for Patients Undergoing Lumbar Procedures

   Mankato, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to develop a patient-centered pain plan and standardized preoperative pain education for patients undergoing lumbar procedures to increase postoperative pain control and patient satisfaction.

7. ESSBS Quality of Life

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to:

   • Measure the short and long-term overall and nasal-specific quality of life (QOL) impact of patients undergoing Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery (EESBS) for pituitary and sellar lesions
   • Determine the relative difference in QOL impact of EESBS for patients undergoing surgery for functional and nonfunctional pituitary adenomas
   • Generate baseline data to development and validate a sitespecific endoscopic-specific comprehensive QOL for EESBS

8. A Study to Evaluate Feasibility of Microburst Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS) Therapy

   Jacksonville, Fla.

   The purpose of this study is to evaluate the initial safety and effectiveness of Microburst VNS stimulation in subjects with refractory epilepsy.

9. Awake vs asleep spine surgery

   Jacksonville, Fla.

   Patients undergoing spine lumbar surgery will be asked to perform short exams/questionnaires aimed at determining cognitive function, quality of life, health outcomes twice post surgery with a baseline performance prior to surgery.

10. A Study to Assess Neuroinflammation in Epileptic Tissue Immediately Prior to Surgical Resection Using Intraoperative Brain Microdialysis

    Rochester, Minn.

    The purpose of this study is to measure the space and time characteristics of inflammatory mediator release in response to induced epileptiform activity in ASD-resistant patients.