Clinical Research Directory

Off-script Diagnosis & Differential Diagnosis (D&D) Training and Residents' Stroke Knowledge

This study is a single-center, randomized, open-label, controlled, endpoint-blinded study to assess the effect of off-script diagnosis \& differential diagnosis (D\&D) training in improving the residents' knowledge of acute ischemic stroke in China. The investigators will enroll 22 residents and assess the score of mASMaQ 30 days after randomization.

Glenzocimab for REperfusion in the Setting of Endovascular Therapy for Brain infarctioN: GREEN Study

Emergent reperfusion is the main goal for acute ischemic stroke therapy (AIS). Endovascular therapy (EVT) is recommended within 6 hrs of stroke onset, and up to 24 hrs following perfusion imaging criteria. Despite the major benefit associated with MT, more than 50% of the patients remain disabled at 3 months. Reperfusion rates after MT are critical to determine functional outcome. However, complete reperfusion is obtained in only 50 % of the patients, due to, at least in part, erratic emboli and/or no-reflow processes. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of glenzocimab in addition to EVT and compared to EVT plus placebo, whether or not associated with ntravenous thrombolysis (IVT), on functional outcome at day 90.

ECMO ABI Detection With Hyperfine

The primary objective is to characterize the prevalence and type of ABI following cannulation for pediatric patients who require ECMO support. The secondary objective is to describe the time course and rates of ABI using ultralow-field bedside MRI relative to both duration of ECMO support and clinical imaging obtained in routine care of pediatric ECMO patients.

HR-MRI-Directed Tirofiban Therapy for Late-Window Acute Ischemic Stroke (TIAN)

This study aims to address the existing clinical challenges by introducing high-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging (HR-MRI), an advanced imaging technology, to achieve precise etiological classification in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) beyond the time window. HR-MRI allows clear visualization of intracranial arterial wall structures and direct identification of key pathological features of the culprit vessel, including atherosclerotic plaques, vascular wall remodeling, and intracranial hemorrhage, thereby enabling reliable differentiation between intracranial atherosclerotic large artery atherosclerosis (ICAS-LAA) stroke and other etiological subtypes such as cardiogenic embolism. Based on the latest clinical demands and advances in imaging technology, this study intends to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tirofiban in patients with ICAS-LAA stroke beyond the time window under the precise guidance of HR-MRI. It is expected to provide high-level evidence-based medical evidence for this specific patient population and further optimize clinical diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Biological Dating of Cerebral Ischemia With GST-π/PRDX1 to Detect Patients With Stroke of Unknown Onset Within the Therapeutic Window of Thrombolysis

The FLAG1 study will assess the diagnostic performance of biomarkers Glutathion S-Transferase-π (GST-π) and Peroxyredoxin 1 (PRDX1) to identify cerebral infarction of less than 4,5 hours in a population of patients with neurological deficiency of less than 12 hours.

Comperative Effects of Transcutaneous Auricular and Cervical Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Subacute Stroke Patients

This study aims to determine whether transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) via auricular or cervical branches enhances recovery when combined with task-specific training in subacute stroke patients. We anticipate finding that both stimulation methods may improve upper limb motor function compared to conventional therapy. The research is expected to reveal specific cognitive domains (attention, memory, executive function) that benefit most from each stimulation approach, while also demonstrating meaningful improvements in patients' quality of life measures. These findings may make a significant practical contribution by providing clinicians with evidence-based guidance on suitable tVNS approach for improving functional independence and quality of life for stroke survivors.

Visio-conference for Pre-hospital Triage of Stroke Suspicions

Interventionnal Study to investigate the accuracy of our clinical based algorithm performed by using a visioconference device to assess the eligibility of acute recanalisation treatment (intraveinous thrombolysis (IVT) and/or mechanical thrombectomie (TM). Clinical identification of type of treatment is needed is pre-hospital triage of these patients.

Effectiveness and Biological Mechanism of Direct Ischemic Post-conditioning for Acute Stroke Patients Due to Large Vessel Occlusion

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if direct ischemic post-conditioning (IPostC) can alleviate ischemic-reperfusion injury (I/R) in patients who have undergone endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). Additionally, the study aims to explore the underlying mechanisms of direct IPostC. The primary questions this trial seeks to answer are: 1. Is direct IPostC effective for acute stroke patients with large vessel occlusion? 2. What are the underlying mechanisms of direct IPostC? Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: an EVT alone group or an EVT plus direct IPostC group. Direct IPostC will be administered immediately after EVT through four cycles of mechanical interruptions of reperfusion. We will evaluate outcomes based on final infarct volume, infarct volume growth, clinical parameters, and I/R-related imaging and laboratory biomarkers. Additionally, an exploratory multi-omics analysis will be conducted to uncover the detailed mechanisms of direct IPostC.

Hospital Implementation of a Stroke Protocol for Emergency Evaluation and Disposition

Most stroke patients are initially evaluated at the closest hospital but some need to be transferred to a hospital that can provide more advanced care. The "Door-In-Door-Out" (DIDO) process at the first hospital can take time making transferred patients no longer able to get the advanced treatments. This study will help hospitals across the US "stand up" new ways to evaluate stroke patients, decide who needs to be transferred, and transfer them quickly for advanced treatment.

Coordinated, Collaborative, Comprehensive, Family-based, Integrated, Technology-enabled Stroke Care

Stroke is the 5th leading cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability in the United States (US). Stroke is a complex disease with multiple interacting risk factors (including genetic, high blood pressure and cholesterol, and lifestyle factors like smoking, diet, and exercise) that lead to initial and recurrent stroke. Up to 90% of stroke survivors have some functional deficit that impacts both physical and mental health.

Stroke Ready - Optimizing Acute Stroke Care

The study aims to increase acute stroke treatment rates in Flint, Michigan through a two-pronged approach of hospital and community level interventions. It also aims to inform future stroke preparedness interventions by exploring the relative importance of hospital optimization and community interventions.

Platelet Function and Neurological Events

Several studies have shown an association between platelet function and stroke in patients undergoing carotid thromboendarterectomy (TEA). The present study will assess the correlation between platelet function evaluated by the impedance aggregometry and neurological events in patients undergoing carotid TEA.

Treatment With Endovascular Intervention for STroke Patients With Existing Disability

TESTED will compare the risks and benefits of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) to medical management (no EVT) in ischemic stroke patients who have a blockage in one of the large blood vessels in the brain and have a moderate-to-severe disability prior to their stroke.

Low-Frequency REpetitive TRanscranial Magnetic Stimulation in ACute Ischemic StrokE Within 48 Hours

This is a multicenter, open-label, evaluator-blinded, investigator-initiated, randomized clinical trial, to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of LF-rTMS in reducing infarct size, reducing disability rate and improving functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke within 48 hours after stroke onset.

Circulating Non-coding RNA in Acute Ischemic Stroke With Endovascular Treatment (EVTRNA)

EVTRNA is to analyze the differentiated expression pattern of circular RNA (circRNA), long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and micro-RNA (miRNA) by next-generation sequencing in acute ischemic stroke patients before and/or after endovascular treatment. The candidate circRNA/lncRNA/miRNA will be verified as the biomarker and regulator for progression and prognosis of acute ischemic stroke with endovascular treatment. Further, the candidate non-coding RNA will be used to evaluate the effect of endovascular treatment on both peripheral and central immune after stroke.

Efficacy and Safety of Tenecteplase Bridging Mechanical Thrombectomy for Acute Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke

A phase III, multicentre, prospective, randomised, open-label, blinded-endpoint clinical trial will evaluate two thrombolytic agents for the treatment of acute large vessel occlusion stroke within 4.5 hours from symptoms onset: intravenous tenecteplase bridging mechanical thrombectomy vs. intravenous alteplase bridging mechanical thrombectomy.

Wearable MCI to Reduce Muscle Co-activation in Acute and Chronic Stroke

The purpose of the study is to explore the feasibility of using a wearable device, called a myoelectric-computer interface (MCI), to improve arm movement in people who have had a stroke. Impaired arm movement after stroke is caused not just by weakness, but also by impaired coordination between joints due to abnormal co-activation of muscles. These abnormal co-activation patterns are thought to be due to abnormal movement planning.The MCI aims to reduce abnormal co-activation by providing feedback about individual muscle activations. This randomized, controlled, blinded study will test the home use of an MCI in chronic and acute stroke survivors.

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.

Delay AvoIding Primary Evaluation for ThRombectomy of Acute StrokE Patients With Large Vessel OCclusion in the Angiography SuiTe

The purpose of this study is to compare two strategies for treating adults with suspected large vessel occlusion stroke within 7 hours of symptom onset. Researchers will evaluate whether direct transfer to the neurointerventional angiography suite improves recovery and reduces disability compared to the conventional approach of first being evaluated in the emergency department. The study will also assess safety and other health outcomes to guide care for stroke patients.

WE-TRUST (Workflow Optimization to Reduce Time to Endovascular Reperfusion for Ultra-fast Stroke Treatment)

The WE-TRUST study is a multi-center randomized clinical trial to assess the impact of a Direct to Angio Suite (DTAS) workflow on stroke patient outcomes.

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.

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.

Establishing a Prognostic Model for Stroke Recovery

This main aim of the study is to investigate the changes in neurophysiological features after stroke, and its association with upper limb motor recovery, so as to establish a prognostic model for upper limb motor recovery after stroke. The investigators hypothesize that a combination of neurophysiological features measured by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), high density electroencephalography (HD-EEG), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) might be used as biomarkers to predict upper limb motor outcomes after stroke. The investigators also hypothesize that non-invasive brain stimulation strategies such as tDCS will more effectively improve motor outcomes as an adjunct to therapy, if tailored according to patient's predicted pattern of neural reorganization.

Early Neurological Clinical Recovery, 3 Months After Endovascular Treatment of an Acute Ischemic Stroke

This trial aims at collecting standardized data concerning the early neurological clinical recovery of patients, 3 months after endovascular treatment of an acute ischemic stroke. Although this outcome is a major issue of patients' prognosis, it is rarely collected at this stage of their follow-up.