Neurology and Neurosurgery

Below are current clinical trials.

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

1. ARTFL LEFFTDS Longitudinal Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration (ALLFTD)

   Rochester, Minn., Jacksonville, Fla.

   The purpose of this study is to evaluate sporadic (s-) and familial (f-) frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) patients and asymptomatic family members of f-FTLD patients, characterizing the cohorts longitudinally and informing clinical trial design.  FTLD is a neurodegenerative disorder of the nervous system which there are no approved treatments or cures.

   The study has two arms: a “longitudinal arm” involving a comprehensive assessment of clinical, functional, imaging, and biofluid data collection, and a “biofluid-focused arm” involving limited clinical data to accompany biospecimen collection.

2. A Study for Cerebral Open Flow Microperfusion

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and feasibility of intra-operative microperfusion during a planned neurosurgical resection of diseased brain parenchyma, including either an epileptic focus requiring temporal lobectomy or a glioma. Devices used for microperfusion are Joanneum Research’s cerebral open flow microperfusion (OFM) catheters, push and pull tubing, and MPP102-II pump.

3. CraniSeal Post Approval Study

   Rochester, Minn., Jacksonville, Fla.

   To collect post-approval data comparing the safety and effectiveness of CraniSeal Dural Sealant to DuraSeal Dural Sealant. The study has been powered specifically to determine whether the CraniSeal device when used as an adjunct to sutured dural closure following elective cranial surgery is no worse than (i.e., non-inferior) to the DuraSeal device with respect to proportion of subjects free from post-operative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks. Additional safety outcomes (i.e., surgical site infections and adverse events/device-related adverse events) will also be captured and compared.

4. Electrophysiological Biomarkers for Parkinson's Disease

   Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz.

   This study will determine the validity of predictive and surrogate biomarkers for the detection of Parkinson's disease and Parkinson's disease cognitive decline.

5. 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.

6. Brain Health and Dementia Prevention Registry

   Jacksonville, Fla.

   The purpose of this study is to create a registry of patients having a clinical diagnosis and collect demographics, cognitive testing, blood and cerebrospinal fluid so that biomarkers and genetic difference can be found in different patient groups.

7. A Study to Evaluate Electrophysiology of Deep Brain Stimulation

   Rochester, Minn.

   The primary purpose of this study is to map the electrophysiological properties of deep brain stimulation (DBS) targets and associated areas by analyzing signals recorded for clinical purposes.  Electrophysiological properties such as spike statistics, power spectral density, spike-field coupling, and phase-amplitude coupling may be correlated to anatomic structures.  An atlas with these properties could improve DBS lead targeting.

8. Dynamic Evaluation Of Spinal Alignment And Balance In Adults With Spinal Deformity Using Momentum Spine

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to determine whether the Momentum Spine™ application, with its newly developed dynamic spinal metrics, can accurately and feasibly assess postural parameters in adults with spinal deformity across the continuum of care: conservative management, before and after spinal surgery.

9. A Study of the Brain & Body Donation Program

   Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz.

   The purpose of this study is to study the structure and biochemistry of the brain and/or bodily fluid and tissue after death.  Comparison of specimens from normal and diseased individuals provide essential clues that lead to a greater understanding of the diseased state which, in turn, will lead to new ideas for therapy.

10. Inherited Muscle Diseases Repository

    Rochester, Minn.

    To establish a repository of DNA samples collected prospectively from patients with inherited myopathies of unknown molecular and/or biochemical defect. To access residual muscle specimens from diagnostic muscle biopsies obtained as part of the routine medical care. The biospecimens will be used to better understanding the underlying molecular defects and mechanisms of muscle diseases.