Clinical Research Directory

Efficacy of Prophylactic Levetiracetam for Improving Functional Outcome in the Acute Phase of Intracerebral Haemorrhage: a Randomised, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Phase 3 Trial

Epileptic seizures are a common complication at the acute phase of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). The incidence of seizures occurring within 7 days reaches 40% when subclinical seizures are diagnosed by continuous electroencephalogram (EEG). Some studies have suggested that early seizures are associated with haematoma expansion (Vespa., Neurology 2003), worse neurological outcomes (Gilmore., Stroke 2016) or increased mortality. By contrast, other studies have shown no association of acute seizures with long-term mortality and outcome. However, the interpretation of these works is subject to bias because almost all studies were based on clinical detection of seizures only, while it has been shown that most early seizures after ICH are clinically unrecognised and can only be diagnosed with EEG monitoring. The PEACH trial, a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, showed that clinical and/or electrographic seizures occur in more than 40% of patients with ICH and that Levetiracetam (LVT) is safe and effective in preventing these seizures. However, it remains unclear whether preventing acute seizures might lead to improved functional outcomes after ICH. An adequately powered randomised controlled trial is needed to answer whether primary seizure prophylaxis improves functional outcome in this setting. Answering this question would result in an important change in ICH acute care guidelines, which currently do not recommend primary prophylactic antiseizure treatment. As compared to research in acute ischemic stroke management, fewer clinical trials have been conducted in acute ICH and no effective medical treatments are available in this subset of patients. The main objective of PEACH 2 is to establish if prophylactic antiseizure therapy with LVT improves functional outcome in adults with acute spontaneous ICH. Functional outcome assessed by the modified Rankin score (mRS score) six months after acute ICH will be compared between patients receiving prophylactic antiseizure therapy with levetiracetam and patients receiving placebo. The secondary objectives are to examine the effect of prophylactic antiseizure therapy with levetiracetam versus placebo on: * the number of early and late clinical seizures, on the short term and long term evolution of the neurologic deficit as assessed by the NIHSS, on long term functional outcome (12 months) as assessed by the mRS, on quality of life and cognitive impairment, and on haematoma expansion and mass effect on control brain imaging * the frequency of side effects at 1 and 6 months, pneumonia at 1 month, delirium at 1 month, anxiety and depression at 1 and 6 months, and all-cause mortality at 1, 6 and 12 months. 580 patients will be recruited over 3 years.

The Fifth INTEnsive pReventing Secondary Injury in Acute Cerebral Haemorrhage Trial Within ACT-GLOBAL

This is a domain within the ACT-GLOBAL platform trial to compare the effectiveness of early and appropriate pharmacological interventions in acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) to control secondary brain injury. Up to 2000 patients with presumed spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) will be followed for 6 months (or death, if prior to 6 months). Adaptive interim analyses will be used, with statistical triggers to determine if any of the interventions are superior to control. The end of the trial is defined as the date that all participants have completed their 6-month assessment. A large amount of preclinical data indicates that the outcome from ICH is linked to the detrimental effects of breakdown substances from brain bleeds. However, there remains a lack of compelling evidence supporting the effectiveness of any pharmacological intervention that can mitigate the secondary cerebral injury. The INTERACT domain aims to assess the effectiveness of intravenous deferoxamine and low-dose oral colchicine, both individually and in combination, to standard of care alone, on improving functional outcome in patients with spontaneous supratentorial ICH. Those patients who meet eligibility criteria will be randomized to receive one of four interventions: 1. No deferoxamine mesylate and no colchicine (labeled as control) 2. Deferoxamine mesylate only: deferoxamine mesylate at a dose of 32mg/kg/day via intravenous infusion immediately (within 1 hour) post-randomization and continue for the following 2 consecutive days. 3. Colchicine only: 0.5mg of oral colchicine daily for 30 consecutive days. 4. Both deferoxamine mesylate and colchicine: deferoxamine mesylate at a dose of 32mg/kg/day via intravenous infusion immediately (within 1 hour) post-randomization and continue for the following 2 consecutive days; plus 0.5mg of oral colchicine daily for 30 consecutive days.

Rehabilitation Paired with VNS for Motor Function Recovery

The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate the efficacy and safety of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) combined with rehabilitation in improving upper extremity motor function after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Researchers will evaluate the efficacy and safety of VNS by comparing the improvements of arm motor function post-ICH in the active VNS combined rehabilitation group with that in the sham VNS combined rehabilitation group (actual intensity 0 mA). Participants in this study will undergo a surgical procedure to implant the VNS system and will subsequently recieve a 6 weeks in-clinic therapy, followed by an additional 6 weeks home exercise. During the final 6 weeks, participants will either recieve in-clinic therapy or maintain their home exercise, depending on their assigned group.

Noncontrast CT-Based Deep Learning for Predicting Hematoma Expansion Risk in Patients with Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Hematoma expansion is an independent predictor of poor prognosis and early neurological deterioration in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. Early identification of high-risk patients and timely targeted medical interventions may provide a crucial opportunity to limit hematoma growth and improve neurological outcomes. This study aims to develop an end-to-end deep learning model based on noncontrast computed tomography images to predict the risk of hematoma expansion in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. This model could serve as a valuable risk stratification tool for patients with hematoma expansion, facilitating targeted treatment and providing clinicians with streamlined decision-making support in emergency situations.