Neurology and Neurosurgery

Below are current clinical trials.

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

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Antineuronal Antibody Positivity Prevalence and Predictors in Epilepsy With Different Risks of Autoimmune Epilepsy

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence, diagnostic accuracy and predictors of antinueronal antibody positivity in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients iwth focal epilepsy of unknown cause (high) compared to patients with epilepsy of known cause (intermediate) and idiopathic genetic generallized epilepsy (low).  

7. Acute Modulation of Stereotyped High-Frequency Oscillations

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to do data collection of EEG findings to determine whether new types analysis of intracranial EEG can add different and possibly useful information to standard types of analysis of intracranial EEG. Intracranial EEG data will be collected intraoperatively and postoperatively during routine clinical monitoring, and will be analyzed by researchers for functional brain mapping and the investigation of high frequency oscillations (HFO's), for the purpose of identifying functional and epileptogenic brain areas.  

8. Evaluating Optic Nerve Disease with OCT Angiography

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to determine if optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography is able to distinguish different causes of optic neuropathy.

9. A Study to Assess Sinus Stenting to Manage Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to determine whether transverse/sigmoid sinus junction stenting reduces the risk of recurrent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension presenting with CSF leak.

    

10. A Study to Assess Biomarkers of Cerebral Cavernous Angioma with Symptomatic Hemorrhage (CASH)

    Rochester, Minn.

    The purpose of this study is to develop prognostic and diagnostic blood tests for symptomatic brain hemorrhage in patients diagnosed with cavernous angiomas, a critical clinical challenge in a disease affecting more than a million Americans. We further examine whether blood biomarkers can replace or enhance the accuracy of advanced imaging in association with lesional bleeding. The project tests a novel integrational approach of biomarker development in a mechanistically defined cerebrovascular disease, with a clinically relevant context of use.