Clinical Research Directory

Ketamine, SGB and Combination Treatment for TBI

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) with associated headache are amongst the most common injuries sustained by our deployed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as in more recent conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. This study aims to determine whether a procedural intervention (stellate ganglion block (SGB)) or medication (ketamine), alone or in combination, can alleviate PTSD and TBI-associated headache. Determining efficacious treatments in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study trial may improve quality of life in those with TBI and PTSD, and identifying factors associated with treatment outcome (personalized medicine) may enhance selection, thereby improving the risk: benefit and cost-effectiveness ratios. Primary Objectives: 1. To determine the efficacy of SGB and ketamine infusion as stand-alone treatments for TBI-related headache; 2. To determine the efficacy of SGB and ketamine infusion as stand-alone treatments for PTSD; 3. To determine the comparative effectiveness of SGB and ketamine infusion, and the effect of combination treatment on TBI-related headache and PTSD; 4. Exploratory Aim 1: To determine the effects of SGB, ketamine infusion, and the combination on structural and functional MRI, biomarker levels and pain thresholds and tolerance; 5. Exploratory Aim 2: To identify factors associated with treatment responders overall and for individual treatment groups. Secondary Objectives: 1. Exploratory Aim 1: To determine the effects of SGB, ketamine infusion, and the combination on structural and functional MRI, biomarker levels and pain thresholds and tolerance (Biomedical levels and MRI not included at Northwestern University Site). 2. Exploratory Aim 2: To identify factors associated with treatment responders overall and for individual treatment groups.

Multisite Advancement of Research on Chronic Posttraumatic Headache

Posttraumatic headache (PTH) is a common and highly disabling consequence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in U.S. military service members and veterans. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for PTH has been shown to significantly improve disability outcomes in veterans with persistent PTH when delivered in-person. Telemedicine platforms can dramatically increase access to evidence-based care. However, whether CBT for PTH retains its effectiveness when delivered through a telemedicine platform has yet to be established. The purpose of this 3-arm randomized clinical trial is to compare Clinic-based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CCBT) to Telemedicine-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TCBT) and to treatment as usual (TAU) in 525 service members and veterans with chronic posttraumatic headaches (PTH) at 4 VA medical centers\* and 3 military treatment facilities across the U.S. Participants will be assessed for headache-related disability, headache experience, and psychiatric comorbidities across multiple time points. \*VA Palo Alto Health Care System is temporarily randomizing into TAU and TCBT only.

Hypersensitivity to Adrenomedullin in Post-Traumatic Headache

Adrenomedullin is a neuropeptide implicated in the pathogenesis of headache. This study investigates whether adrenomedullin induces headache with migraine-like features in people with persistent post-traumatic headache (PTH) attributed to mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).

Muscle Function and Tenderness Differences in Headache Patients

This cross-sectional study aims to compare muscle function of the neck, and shoulder and muscle tenderness in three groups of headache patients: migraine, tension-type headache, and posttraumatic headache. The study will evaluate muscle tenderness through the Total Tenderness Score (TTS) and muscle function through maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and rate of force development (RFD). Additionally, functional assessments such as the Cranio-Cervical Flexion Test (CCFT) and Ito Test will be performed.

Safety and Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin A in Patients With Posttraumatic Headache

The study is an investigator-initiated randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallelgroup trial. Eighty subjects with PTH will be included and randomized 1:1 for treatment with BTX-A or placebo (isotonic saline). The study comprises a 4-week baseline phase before injection of either active drug or placebo followed by a 12-week evaluation period. Treatment will be double-blind, and subjects will only receive one treatment cycle. Endpoints will be assessed in the evaluation period (weeks 5 to 8) compared to baseline (weeks -4 to -1).

Non-pharmacological Treatment of Patients at Risk of Developing Persistent Posttraumatic Headache

The goal of this mixed method study is to test and evaluate the effect of an early interdisciplinary non-pharmacological treatment of patients at risk of developing persistent posttraumatic headache in order to prevent the development of persistent posttraumatic headache and thereby, reduce persistency and improve the quality of life. Furthermore, to gain knowledge on and a deeper understanding of the patients' perspective and experience of the treatment. The project consists of 3 sub studies: 1. A feasibility study; with the purpose of exploring the feasibility of an early non-pharmacological intervention for patients with persistent posttraumatic headache after mild traumatic brain injury. 2. An experimental design; a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of the early non-pharmacological treatment. 3. A qualitative focus group interview study; to get a more nuanced knowledge of patients' experience with the non-pharmacological treatment related to post traumatic headache.

Treatment of Acute PTH With a CGRP Receptor mAb in Military Service Members and Civilians With mTBI

This study aims to assess the effect and safety of erenumab compared to placebo for the treatment of acute posttraumatic headache (PTH) in military service members and civilians with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).