Clinical Research Directory

Natural History of and Specimen Banking for People With Tumors of the Central Nervous System

Background: Brain and spinal cord tumors are uncommon. But they contribute substantially to cancer deaths in the U.S. in children and adults. Little progress has been made in treating brain tumors. Researchers want to learn more about these tumors by studying people who have them. Objectives: To understand brain and spinal cord tumors better and uncover areas for further research. Also, to connect people with these tumors to doctors who can help them manage their illness and give them new treatment options. Design: Participants will have an initial (baseline) visit. They will have their medical history taken and undergo physical and neurological exams. They will have blood tests. They may have scans (imaging studies) of the nervous system. If participants have urine or cerebrospinal fluid collected during their regular care, researchers may save some. Brain tumor tissue from a prior surgery may be studied. Genomic DNA testing will be done on samples. Results will be linked to participants medical and/or family history. The number of study visits at NIH will depend on the wishes of participants and their local doctors. Participants will take a brain tumor survey on a computer. They can take it all at once or in 6 separate sections. Participants will answer questions about their general well-being. They will answer questions to learn if they have symptoms of depression or anxiety. Physicians will discuss test results with participants. They will recommend management and treatment options. ...

Spine Oncology Registry

This is an observational study to evaluate hardware related and oncologic outcomes in adult patients with primary and metastatic spine disease undergoing separation surgery followed by radiation treatment.

Effect of Ketamine on Intraoperative Motor Evoked Potentials

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about the effect of ketamine on intraoperative motor evoked potentials in adult patients undergoing thoracolumbar spinal fusions. Participants will undergo a standard anesthetic. In addition to the standard anesthetic, the patients will be administered increasing doses of ketamine with motor-evoked potentials being measured at each dose, to assess any impacts.