Clinical Research Directory

Study of Abemaciclib and Elacestrant in Participants With Brain Metastasis Due to ER+/HER-2- Breast Cancer

This is a multi-site, global, open-label study that includes a phase 1b evaluation of elacestrant in combination with abemaciclib in women and men with brain metastases from estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) negative breast cancer. Phase 1b was designed to select the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) and is followed by an ongoing phase 2 evaluation of elacestrant in combination with abemaciclib in participants with active brain metastases from ER-positive, HER-2 negative breast cancer.

Stroke Cerebral Reorganization Pathways (SPECTRE)

SPECTRE is a prospective longitudinal study in order to identify whether patients with different degrees of motor recovery are distinguished by distinct brain post-stroke plasticity patterns in the acute and sub-acute phases. This study allows close longitudinal follow-up of patients with severe clinical motor impairment using functional MRI to study cerebral neuroplasticity after ischemic stroke in the acute and sub-acute phase in patients with upper limb motor impairement, taking into account prognostic criteria used in current practice.

Brain Tissue Specimen Collection

The Molecular Neurosurgical Tissue Bank will function as a tissue or specimen repository for biopsy specimens from patients (both adult and pediatric) undergoing brain surgery and brain procedures.

A Study of Donanemab (LY3002813) in Participants With Early Symptomatic Alzheimer's Disease (TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 5)

The reason for this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of donanemab in participants with early Alzheimer's disease. The study duration including screening and follow-up is up to 93 weeks.

Effective Translation of Endovascular Thrombectomy Trials Into Real-world Practice in the Asia-Pacific

As a major breakthrough of acute stroke treatment over the past decade, endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) drastically improved neurological recovery and survival in patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) ischemic strokes in major clinical trials. Nevertheless, much remained uncertain about the implementation of scientific evidence of EVT into real-world benefits. For instance, healthcare policies that influence critical time-matrices, endovascular thrombectomy techniques that may enhance success rate or prevent complications, or advanced imaging techniques that allow precise prognosis or expansion of treatment populations, should be evaluated. On the other hand, capturing LVO patients who were not able to undergo EVT may reveal the gap between clinical trials and real-world practice in the Asia-Pacific. In this multicenter prospective collaboration across the Asian-Pacific, the investigators aim to evaluate the determinants of effective EVT in the real-world setting.

Treating Depression on a Day-to-day Basis: Development of a Tool for Physicians Based on a Smartphone Application

Testing and validating an e-health (smartphone application) approach to better understand the determinants of day-to-day symptomatology in depression, medication adherence, and treatment efficacy in the goal of maximizing patient care.

Selective Activation of the Adrenomedullin Receptors in Migraine

Adrenomedullin is a neuropeptide implicated in the pathogenesis of migraine. This study investigates whether its administration, after pre-treatment with erenumab (a CGRP-receptor blocking monoclonal antibody), can trigger migraine attacks in individuals with migraine without aura.

CUHK Brain Health Longitudinal Study

The goal of this study is to develop a large longitudinal cohort of individuals diagnosed with or at high risk for brain diseases (both neurological and psychiatric in nature), in order to identify risk factors that contribute to neurological and psychiatric diseases over time. The investigators seek to capture relevant information from medical records, electronically administered questionnaires and follow up phone-based interviews. The investigators expect to eventually have sufficient power from our dataset to examine risk factors for a variety of brain disorders, both individually and in aggregate. Our ultimate goal is to offer scientifically validated ways to preserve and promote brain health by working with our patients' needs and tracking their progress over time.

Impact of COVID-19 Vaccines on Cerebrovascular Health

Safe and effective severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines may reduce the transmission of and achieve population immunity against the COVID-19 pandemic, which accounted for more than 3.75million deaths worldwide. With World Health Organization's (WHO) effort on ensuring equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, vaccination rate may increase in the near future. On the other hand, vaccination hesitancy has emerged as a major hindrance on the global vaccination campaigns in certain areas due to safety concerns, social factors, and public health policies. For instance, a recent survey conducted in Hong Kong showed a low vaccine acceptance rate of 37%. Long-term safety concerns and post-vaccination events relayed by the social media maybe reasons for vaccination hesitancy. Among which, cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) after vaccination were one of the most frequently reported post-vaccination events. These reports ranged from ischemic strokes in elderly patients with multiple cardiovascular co-morbidities, to hemorrhage strokes in otherwise "young-and-fit" adults. While many of these events were investigated by the COVID-19 immunization expert committee, an important premise to address the apprehension of CVA after vaccination is the provision of evidence-based information of the impact of COVID-19 vaccines on brain health. In this prospective, longitudinal, observational study, we aim to elucidate the relationship between COVID-19 vaccines and cerebrovascular health in healthy citizens in a population-based cohort.

HSV G207 in Children With Recurrent or Refractory Cerebellar Brain Tumors

This study is a clinical trial to determine the safety of inoculating G207 (an experimental virus therapy) into a recurrent or refractory cerebellar brain tumor. The safety of combining G207 with a single low dose of radiation, designed to enhance virus replication, tumor cell killing, and an anti-tumor immune response, will also be tested. Funding Source- FDA OOPD

Evaluation of a New MRI Technique to Reduce Breathing-Related Artifacts in Brain Imaging

This study aims to improve the quality of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans by testing a new imaging method that reduces distortions caused by breathing. During respiration, small movements of the chest and diaphragm can lead to subtle changes in the magnetic field within the head. These changes can introduce artifacts in certain MRI techniques, particularly susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI), which is used to visualize veins, small hemorrhages, and iron deposits. The investigated method measures breathing-related magnetic field variations during MRI acquisition using two very short navigator signals, referred to as free induction decay (FID) navigators. These signals are used to perform dynamic off-resonance correction during image reconstruction, reducing image blurring and distortion. The method does not increase scan time and does not affect standard clinical imaging. In this study, patients scheduled for routine clinical brain MRI are asked to provide informed consent for use of their raw MRI data for research purposes. For each participant, two sets of SWI images are generated from the same acquisition: one using standard reconstruction and one using the free induction decay navigator-based dynamic off-resonance correction method (FID-DORK). The objective is to assess whether the corrected images provide improved image quality and diagnostic reliability. The study includes adult patients undergoing routine clinical MRI at Karolinska University Hospital. Image quality is evaluated using both visual assessment by neuroradiologists and quantitative measures of image variation. No additional imaging procedures, contrast agents, or scan time are required. All research data are pseudonymized prior to analysis. The hypothesis is that the dual free induction decay navigator-based correction method (FID-DORK) improves the diagnostic quality of high-resolution three-dimensional echo-planar imaging susceptibility-weighted imaging brain MRI by reducing breathing-related artifacts.

Rapamycin-Eluting Vertebral Stents In The Real-World Treatment of Symptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerotic Stenosis

This clinical trial is a prospective, multicenter, single-arm study. About 300 subjects undergoing rapamycin-eluting stent implantation will be enrolled based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The primary endpoint is the rate of any stroke or death within 1 month. Secondary efficacy endpoints include immediate stent implantation success. Safety endpoints cover the incidence of stroke or neurological death, target-vessel-related stroke or death, all-cause mortality, and mRS scores at 12-month follow-ups. Subjects will be clinically followed up before surgery, device implantation, discharge, and at 1, 6, and 12 months post-surgery. An imaging subgroup of at least 80 subjects who agree to DSA follow-up at 12 months will assess in-stent restenosis (\>50%).

Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformation With Aneurysm: Epidemiology, Clinical Features, and Prognosis

The study is a multicenter, prospective cohort study designed to assess the natural history, clinical safety and efficacy of various treatment strategies in patients with cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and intracranial aneurysms.

Slowing Cognitive Decline in Alpha-synucleinopathies by Enhancing Physical Activity

α-Synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies, are the second most common neurodegenerative diseases. In addition to progressive motor deterioration, cognitive decline is a key element of the non-motor symptom complex of these diseases. Isolated rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) indicates an early stage of α-synucleinopathies, even before relevant motor or cognitive disorders are present. Therapeutic interventions in individuals with iRBD therefore have great preventive potential. In particular, increasing physical activity could have a relevant effect on neurodegenerative processes, including the preservation of cognitive functions. The aim of the study is therefore to investigate the effects of increased physical activity in everyday life on cognitive functions in individuals with iRBD. In this randomized, double-blind, actively controlled study, an increase in physical activity will be implemented over a period of one year with the help of a motivational smartphone application. The intervention and control conditions are the same as those used in the Slow-SPEED trials, making the connection between the trials concrete. The primary outcome parameter is the change in cognitive performance in a neuropsychological test battery over one year. Eighty individuals with iRBD and 50 age- and gender-matched individuals are being recruited at the University Hospital Bonn and the "Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen" (DZNE) Bonn (German branch only). In addition to classic neuropsychological tests as the primary endpoint, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and blood-based markers of brain aging are being examined as secondary endpoints. This study is in close collaboration with the Slow-SPEED study (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06993142). In addition, selected data from three separate trials-Alpha-Fit, Slow-SPEED-NL, and a sister trial in Austria currently in preparation-are planned to be synthesized into a meta-analysis.

Hypersensitivity to Amylin in Post-Traumatic Headache

Pramlintide is a peptide analogue of human amylin which is a vasoactive substance involved in the pathogenesis of headache. This study investigates whether pramlintide induces migraine-like headache in people with persistent post-traumatic headache (PTH) attributed to mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).

Amylin-Induced Migraine Attacks Without Aura

Pramlintide is a peptide analogue of human amylin which is a vasoactive signaling molecule involved in the pathogenesis of migraine. This study investigates whether pramlintide induces migraine attacks without aura in people with migraine without aura.

Gravity Stroke System for Recanalization of Large Vessel Occlusion Strokes

Supernova and Neutron are endovascular mechanical revascularization devices indicated to restore blood flow by removing thrombus from a large intracranial vessel in patients experiencing an acute ischemic stroke within 24 hours of symptom onset or from last known well time.

Gravity Stent-Retriever System For Reperfusion Of Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke Trial

The study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Supernova stent retriever device, developed by Gravity Medical Technology, for treating acute ischemic stroke. The device is used to remove blood clots and restore blood flow to the brain .

Investigating the Feasibility of Combining Virtual Reality and Bilateral Transcranial Direct Stimulation to Improve Upper Limb Recovery in Patients With Stroke

Following a stroke, the function of the distal upper limb, especially hand and finger movements, is often severely compromised, significantly restricting the ability to carry out daily activities. It is estimated that 55-75% of stroke survivors suffer from motor dysfunction, with upper limb impairments affecting up to 85% of them (Tang et al., 2024). Current rehabilitation approaches, while beneficial, often produce limited gains in hand function, particularly in patients with chronic stroke. Virtual reality (VR) training has emerged as a promising tool in neurorehabilitation, providing repetitive, task-specific, and engaging practice environments that can promote motor learning (Cameirão et al., 2012). tDCS has also shown potential to enhance motor recovery when combined with motor practice (Kang et al., 2016). To date, no studies have directly compared the effectiveness of Bi-tDCS with VR for improving upper limb function after stroke.

Evaluation of the Feasibility of Camera Measurement of Colorimetric Parameters of the Brain During Neurosurgery Operations: Tissue Oximetry and Endogenous or Induced Fluorescence

The management of many brain pathologies involves obtaining a functional and histological diagnosis and performing neurosurgery when possible. Histological diagnosis makes it possible to differentiate healthy areas from pathological areas. Functional diagnosis allows the identification of brain areas to be spared during neurosurgery in order to avoid any permanent post-operative disability. The visual analysis of the color and texture of the brain by the trained eye of the neurosurgeon is largely part of his operating practice. It allows it to differentiate between healthy and pathological areas. Likewise, color variations linked to the functional activation of brain areas are sometimes visible to the naked eye. However, this approach is not optimal due to the limits of human vision. It is also very strongly dependent on the experience and expertise acquired by the neurosurgeon. This approach is therefore largely limited in many operating contexts: low visual contrasts, less experienced neurosurgeon.

Cardiac Assessment for Recurrent Stroke Risk Evaluation in Atrial Fibrillation

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, affecting up to 10% of the elderly. Ischemic stroke is the main complication of AF and cardioembolism is one of the leading causes of ischemic stroke, accounting for approximately one third of cases. Oral anticoagulant therapy (OAC) is a cornerstone in stroke prevention in patients with AF. According to randomized controlled trials of direct oral anticoagulants, a residual risk of ischemic stroke of 1-2% per year for so-called "breakthrough stroke" remains, despite adequate intake of OAC. The majority (\>70%) of these breakthrough strokes are cardioembolic in nature and only a minority are related to medication issues (e.g. non-compliance) or other, non-AF related etiologies. Stroke recurrence risk after such a breakthrough stroke markedly increases to 8-9% per year indicating a particularly high-risk situation. Why OAC fails in certain patients, but not in others remains as poorly understood, as does the reason why the subsequent risk of stroke is so high. Current risk stratification tools, such as the widely used CHA2DS2-VA(Sc)-score, fail to predict stroke risk in such a high-risk cohort, as they were intended to guide the initiation of OAC in low to moderate risk patients. In light of new therapeutic strategies currently being investigated, such as percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion in patients with breakthrough strokes (ELAPSE - NCT05976685) or in AF-patients deemed high-risk (LAAOS IV - NCT05963698), improved risk stratification and characterization of high-risk AF patients is highly warranted. Several clinical factors, such as those reflected in the CHA2DS2-VA(Sc)-score, and especially a high AF-burden are associated with increased risk of cardioembolic stroke. Several cardiac serum biomarkers are thought to be surrogates not only of cardiac function, but also of cardioembolic risk. Reflecting ventricular and atrial wall tension, myocardial injury, oxidative stress and thrombogenicity, elevated NT-proBNP, MR-proANP, high-sensitive Troponin T and D-Dimers have all been associated with cardioembolic stroke in different AF and non-AF populations. As the main location of thrombus formation, the left atrium (LA) and more specifically its appendage (LAA) are of particular interest in the pathogenesis of cardioembolism. Pronounced LA-enlargement, compared to a normal-sized LA, correlates with an increased risk of cardioembolism in AF-patients. As over 80% of thrombi form within the LAA, several LAA-characteristics, such as slower LAA-flow velocity and larger LAA-orifice area have also been demonstrated to be associated with higher stroke risk. Although there is data on each one of these factors, they have only been investigated in low to moderate risk populations, such as AF-patients without prior stroke, OAC-naïve patients, or even within the general population as a whole. Their role in high-risk AF-patients and in breakthrough stroke is unknown. Hypothesis The investigators hypothesize that specific clinical factors, serum cardiac biomarkers and markers of LA- and LAA-morphology and function are associated with breakthrough stroke / OAC-failure and may improve risk stratification. Methods CARE-AF is a single-center, prospective cohort study conducted at the Stroke Center of the Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, Switzerland. Patients with an index ischemic stroke and AF (breakthrough and non-breakthrough cases) will be enrolled. The investigators will collect clinical data, serum cardiac biomarkers and echocardiographic indices of the LA and LAA. All patients will receive standardized annual follow-ups until the end of the study, defined as 12 months after the inclusion of the last participant. The primary endpoint is ischemic stroke or systemic embolism during follow-up. First, in a cross-sectional design, the study will assess the association between serum cardiac biomarkers and echocardiographic indices among patients with breakthrough vs. non-breakthrough stroke as index event, applying multivariate regression models. Second, the investigators will perform a longitudinal analysis assessing the association between the variables mentioned above and breakthrough stroke as index event with the primary endpoint, using multivariate Cox regression models. The study aims to enroll a minimum of 500 patients, which provides sufficient power to detect a clinically meaningful adjusted hazard ratio for recurrent stroke of 1.5 with 80% power at an alpha level of 5%. Conclusion The results of this project will enhance understanding of the role of specific clinical factors, cardiac serum biomarkers and echocardiographic indices in the residual risk of stroke in patients with AF on anticoagulation therapy. They may improve current risk stratification and have the potential to help guide therapeutic decisions in high-risk situations considering evolving therapeutic possibilities.

A Study of Different Donanemab (LY3002813) Dosing Regimens in Adults With Early Alzheimer's Disease (TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 6)

This study will investigate different donanemab dosing regimens and their effect on the frequency and severity of ARIA-E in adults with early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease (AD) and explore participant characteristics that might predict risk of ARIA. Approximately 375 additional participants will be enrolled per addendum. The study will last approximately 91 weeks and include up to 26 visits in the main study.

Stimulating Specific Brain Areas (VOP/VIM) With Electricity to Improve Movement and Muscle Control

In this study the investigators aim to enroll patients scheduled to undergo deep brain stimulation (DBS) implantation for movement disorders for intra-operative testing. In addition to standard-of-care surgical procedure to implant deep brain stimulation electrode leads, participants will also be stimulated and recorded from cortical areas by a temporary strip electrode (1X6) in the subdural space. The electrodes will be connected to external stimulators and a series of experiments will be performed to assess effects of the DBS on movement quality and electrophysiology measures. Results of this study will elucidate the biological mechanisms related to deep brain stimulation in modulating motor and speech function in patients with abnormal movement disorders.

Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of ATNC-MDD V1(TMS With Cognitive Training) in Mild Alzheimer's Dementia

The study tests the effect of the ATNC MDD-V1 on Alzheimer patients' cognitive function. The ATNC MDD-V1 uses non-invasive stimulation of both magnetic and cognitive training.