Clinical Research Directory

Registry Study of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease

The incidence of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) increases with age, affecting approximately 5% of individuals over 50 years old and nearly all individuals over 90 years old. CSVD is also the most important vascular factor contributing to cognitive decline, with 45% of dementia patients attributed to CSVD. Existing interventions are similar to secondary prevention strategies for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and no specific therapies are currently available. CSVD-related cognitive impairment (CSVDCI) predominantly involves attention, processing speed, and executive functions, with relatively preserved memory function, and may be accompanied by non-cognitive clinical manifestations such as gait disturbances, emotional and behavioral disorders, and bladder dysfunction. Although CSVDCI can be classified under vascular cognitive impairment (VCI), there are certain differences in its clinical manifestations. In summary, it is necessary to develop more targeted treatments for CSVD. We attempt to establish a "symptom-tongue coating-gut microbiota-imaging" system to provide data support for the subsequent exploration of CSVD treatments based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome differentiation and treatment.

Assessment in Patients With Essential Trigeminal Neuralgia of Nerve Involvement by MRI in DTI and Functional Connectivity in "Resting State"

Essential trigeminal neuralgia is the most common facial pain. In forms resistant to drug and disabling treatments, surgical treatment may be offered to the patient. The type of intervention will be conditioned by the presence or absence of a vasculo-nervous conflict objectified by MRI(Magnetic resonance imaging) Morphological MRI with contrast injection does not always allow an accurate assessment of trigeminal nerve damage in patients with essential facial neuralgia. Despite advances in the anatomical definition of high-resolution MRI, the correlation between a vascular conflict visible on MRI and present during surgery and prolonged postoperative clinical improvement remains insufficient These data raise the question of additional imaging sequences to assess the distressing characteristics of NT in addition to the usual anatomical criteria for compression By performing during morphological MRI two additional sequences, one in diffusion tensor (DTI) and one in resting state (fMRI), we could better characterize the achievement of NT The contribution of new imaging sequences in the context of essential trigeminal neuralgia treated with microvascular decompression (MVD) would: 1/improve the diagnostic criteria for suffering and compression of the NT (trigeminal nerve) 2 / define objective prognostic criteria for the effectiveness of surgery, particularly in the context of unusual clinical symptoms or moderate conflict on MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) 3 / to analyze more precisely the causes of recurrence at a distance from surgery and help in the decision of re-intervention Our main hypothesis: the addition of a diffusion tensor sequence and sequences (allowing functional brain analysis) in addition to standard anatomical MRI in the assessment of a vasculo-nervous conflict would allow us to better characterize involvement of the trigeminal nerve in essential facial neuralgia. It also helps guide therapeutic management and surgical indications. This is a prospective, monocentric cohort study. It will be offered to patients referred to neurosurgery or to the pain assessment and treatment center for assessment and management of a neuralgia of the essential trijumeau unilateral.

Multicentre RCT of Awake Versus Asleep Tractography Based DBS for ET

Rationale: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the thalamus is an effective surgical treatment for patients with disabling essential tremor, despite optimal pharmacological treatment. To date, the standard DBS procedure is performed under local anesthesia which is very burdensome for patients. It is now possible to directly visualize the target (motor) area in the thalamus due to advances in modern imaging techniques. DBS surgery could be performed under general anesthesia (asleep). Objective: The primary objective of the study is to determine whether asleep thalamic DBS surgery provides an equal tremor reduction compared to awake thalamic DBS surgery, measured by the clinically validated Essential Tremor Rating Assessment Scale after six months of DBS. Secondary outcomes are: disease related daily functioning, adverse effects, operation time, quality of life, patient satisfaction with treatment outcome and patient evaluation of treatment burden. Study design: The study will be a multicentre prospective randomized open label blinded (PROBE) endpoint trial comparing thalamic DBS under general versus local anesthesia. Study population: A total of 110 patients with disabling essential tremor despite optimal pharmacological treatment will be randomized. Intervention (if applicable): Patients will be randomized for asleep DBS or awake DBS. According to the standard DBS procedure, two brain-electrodes are connected to an implanted neurostimulator, which is placed subcutaneously in the subclavicular area Main study parameter/endpoints: The primary outcome measure is the change in tremor score on the Essential Tremor Rating Assessment Scale after 6 months of thalamic DBS. The secondary outcome measures are the Amsterdam Linear Disability Score for functional health status, Quality of Life in Essential Tremor Questionnaire, patient satisfaction with the treatment, patient evaluation of treatment burden, operating time, hospitalization time, change of tremor medication, side effects and complications. Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness: Awake DBS at present is very burdensome and by many patients and health care providers considered to be an overly invasive treatment for essential tremor. Through this trial, we aim to investigate whether asleep DBS in essential tremor can become the new treatment standard. This is expected to increase the accessibility for DBS and subsequently would allow more people with essential tremor to be helped, as well as in an earlier stage of their disease than currently; more patients will benefit for a longer time period from DBS. Asleep DBS will have a shorter procedure length. The proposed research project involves treatment options that are standard care in daily practice. The therapies will not be combined with other research products. Both treatments have a low risk of serious complications and a higher risk of minor side effects. Regular follow up will be used. Participation in this study constitutes moderate risk according to NFU criteria for human research.