Neurology and Neurosurgery

Below are current clinical trials.

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

1. A Study to Evaluate Caregiver Connections via Technology for Patients with Alzheimer's and Other Types of Dementia

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to optimize profile questionnaire and matching algorithm developed in Phase I and implement in final website design, and to determine if algorithmically matched participants have statistically significant increase in match satisfaction and self-reported sense of resiliency and quality of life over randomly matched caregivers.

2. 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.

3. HEALEY ALS Platform Trial

   Rochester, Minn., Jacksonville, Fla., Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz.

   The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of investigational products for the treatment of ALS.

4. Breast Cancer, Reasoning, And Activity Intervention

   Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz.

   This phase II trial tests whether an exercise intervention works to improve cognitive function in breast cancer survivors. Many breast cancer survivors report cancer-related cognitive impairment, which this has recently become a priority in clinical research due to its dramatic impact on daily functioning, quality of life, and long-term health. Aerobic exercise has the potential to improve cognitive function and brain health in older adults and is recommended as a safe, tolerable, and accessible complementary therapy for breast cancer survivors. This study aims to understand the effects of physical activity compared with health education on memory, attention, and brain health in women with breast cancer. Study findings may help researchers design more programs that can improve memory, attention, and brain health in other women with breast cancer.

5. Vivistim Registry for Paired VNS Therapy (GRASP)

   Rochester, Minn., Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz.

   The purpose of the Vivistim Registry for Paired VNS Therapy (GRASP) is to gather real-world information on patients with arm and hand deficits post-stroke who are considering Vivistim System treatment. Before and after Vivistim System implant, patient data will be collected and reported throughout the therapy process. 

6. The Neurobiology of Two Distinct Types of Progressive Apraxia of Speech

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to identify and distinguish two different types of Progressive Apraxia of Speech through clinical imaging and testing.

7. A Study to Evaluate the Surgical Removal of Residual Brain Tumors Prior to Recurrence

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and feasibility of surgical resection for pre-recurrent brain tumors. Eligible patients with surgically accessible latent tumors desiring surgical resection will be enrolled to prospectively track short- and long-term outcomes. Safety will be evaluated by quantifying rates of surgical morbidity as compared to patients undergoing RT after surgery, or no surgery for similar latent disease. Variables evaluated will include postoperative complications including death within 30 days, wound infection, length of hospital stay, and readmission rates.

    

    

8. Ommaya Placement For Biomarker Collection

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and feasibility of intra-operative Ommaya Reservoir placement during a clinically indicated tumor surgery in order to facilitate a longitudinal access to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for analysis of exploratory and future tumor biomarkers for individualized monitoring.

    

    

9. A Study to Evaluate Sex Differences in Multiple Sclerosis Spectrum of Demyelinating Disorders

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purposes of this study are to explore the association between female sex, reproductive history and clinical phenotypic variability in multiple sclerosis (MS), to explore the association between female sex, reproductive history and radiologic phenotypic variability in MS, and to explore the association between female sex, genetic and environmental interactions in MS.

    

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

    Rochester, Minn., Jacksonville, Fla.

    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.