Clinical Research Directory

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.

The REACTplusNMES Trial: A Double-blinded RCT

The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of 6-weeks of reactive balance training (REACT) with and without neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to paretic lower limb muscles on biomechanical, clinical, neuromuscular and neuroplastic outcomes of reactive balance control. This project is a Phase-I study and incorporates a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial design. Methods: Forty-six individuals with chronic stroke will be recruited and screened for determining their eligibility for the study. Once enrolled, they will be randomized into either of the two groups: intervention group (23 participants) and control group (23 participants). Both groups will undergo series of pre-training assessments which includes a postural disturbance in the form of a slip- or trip-like perturbations and walking tests in laboratory environment. After the pre-training assessment, individuals will undergo 6-weeks of training (2 hour per session, 2 sessions per week). The intervention group will receive NMES with the REACT training and the control group will receive ShamNMES. NMES will be applied to the different muscle groups of the paretic lower limb using an advanced software which is able to synchronize muscle activation with the time of perturbation onset and according to the phases of gait. After training, both groups will again be tested on all the assessments performed pre training. This study will help us understand the immediate therapeutic and mechanistic effects of REACT+NMES and inform stroke rehabilitation research and clinical practice. Our study will provide foundational evidence for future use of NMES to implement clinically applicable neuromodulation adjuvants to reactive balance training, which could be leveraged for designing more effective future interventions for fall-risk reduction.

Prevention of Infection of the Respiratory Tract Through Application of Non-Invasive Methods of Secretion Suctioning

Adults who are unconscious or severely ill and need a breathing tube connected to a ventilator are at high risk of developing a lung infection (pneumonia) within the first few days in the intensive care unit. This early pneumonia affects up to 30 to 50 % of certain high-risk patients, prolongs the time on the ventilator and in hospital, and increases the use of antibiotics. Two strategies are commonly used today to try to prevent this infection: a short, three-day course of an intravenous antibiotic, and removal of secretions from the airway with a sterile suction catheter. Both have limitations - antibiotics can favour the growth of resistant bacteria, and catheter suctioning is uncomfortable and may injure the airway. PIRÁMIDES is a small (60-patient) pilot study that compares the current practice with two non-invasive, mechanical alternatives for keeping the airway clear: a continuous low-pressure suction system built into a special breathing tube, and a device that produces a gentle, programmed "artificial cough" through the ventilator. Adult patients who are intubated for severe trauma, severe brain injury, stroke, resuscitated cardiac arrest or other causes of decreased consciousness are randomly assigned, in equal numbers, to one of the three approaches and followed for 14 days, with a final visit at day 90. The main goal is to find out which of the three strategies best prevents early pneumonia, and which provides the best overall result for patients when survival, severity of infection, need for additional antibiotics and side effects are considered together. To make these comparisons as fair as possible in an open-label study, an independent committee of doctors not involved in patient care reviews each suspected pneumonia case without knowing which strategy the patient received. The results will help design a larger trial to confirm which approach is safest and most effective for preventing early pneumonia in critically ill patients on a ventilator.

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.

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.

Urinary Disorders in Subacute Patients After Stroke

This observational study will address urinary disorders in subacute stroke patients. Patients without and with urinary disorders will be compared, and treatment outcome will be assessed among the latter.

The Fourth Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Study

LAAOS-4 aims to determine if catheter-based endovascular left atrial appendage occlusion prevents ischemic stroke or systemic embolism in participants with atrial fibrillation, who remain at high risk of stroke, despite receiving ongoing treatment with oral anticoagulation.

Neurovascular Product Surveillance Registry

Post market surveillance registry

Validation of TriAGE+ for Predicting Stroke Risk in ED Patients Presenting With Dizziness

Ischemic cerebrovascular diseases originating from the brain's posterior circulation account for 20-25% of cases. Among patients diagnosed with cerebellar infarction, 10% present with isolated dizziness as their sole symptom. Notably, posterior circulation strokes and cerebellar infarcts are misdiagnosed 2 to 4 times more frequently than anterior circulation strokes. In 2017, Kuroda et al. developed the TriAGE+ score to assess stroke risk in patients presenting with dizziness. This study aims to externally validate the TriAGE+ score, focusing on its safety, applicability, and reliability in predicting cerebrovascular disease in the emergency department.

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.

Ischemic Conditioning Improves Walking Function Post Stroke

This innovative study will address scientific and clinical areas relatively unexplored in chronic stroke that could lead to greater recovery of walking. Ischemic Conditioning (IC) is a non-invasive, simple procedure that improves motor function, exercise performance and cardiovascular function in healthy controls, but it has never been applied to the stroke population. We postulate that IC enhances the recruitment of motoneurons and results in positive neural adaptations, improves vascular endothelial function and peripheral blood flow, and together these improvements result in an increased capacity to exercise and faster walking speed. Future studies will examine the effects of IC and traditional therapy at different time points of recovery post stroke, durability of IC, molecular mechanisms of neural and cardiovascular adaptation and the efficacy compared with other adjuncts.

Rescue Endovascular Therapy for Progressive Acute Mild Ischemic Stroke With Large Vascular Occlusion

Endovascular therapy (EVT) added on best medical management is currently recommended in acute large vascular occlusion (LVO) stroke patients with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score \>5. Thus, a sizeable fraction of patients with a minor stroke that do not undergo cerebrovascular screening may experience an early neurological deterioration (END) due to LVO, possibly leading to poor long-term functional outcome. However, whether these patients may still benefit from a rescue EVT is unknown, especially in a late window (\>24 hours). In this study, the investigators assume that best medical management plus EVT might be superior than best medical management alone in a late window for minor stroke patients who have experienced an LVO and END. The primary objective of the study was to establish the safety and efficacy of EVT in a late window for minor stroke patients in the anterior circulation who experienced an LVO and END.

Effect of Remote Ischemic Preconditioning on Collaterals of Atherosclerosis Stroke

The goal of this clinical trial is to explore the influence of chronic RIC on collateral status evaluated by DSA in ischemic stroke patients with LAA etiology.

Assessment of Functional Efficiency of the Upper Limb After Stroke

The aim of the study will be to: conduct the process of cultural and linguistic adaptation of questionnaires for assessing the functional efficiency of the upper limb to the Polish version and to assess psychometric properties: reliability, validity and sensitivity to clinical changes among patients after stroke.

The Effect of InTensive Statin in Ischemic Stroke With inTracranial Atherosclerotic Plaques

Intracranial atherosclerotic disease is the most common cause of ischemic stroke that is directly attributed to the progression or rupture of intracranial high-risk plaque in Asia. Many studies mainly from Euro-American population with a focus on extracranial carotid plaque have fully demonstrated the advantages of intensive statin therapy on stabilizing or reversing plaque burden, reversing plaque composition presenting that lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC) is gradually replaced by fibrous tissue, and even reversing pattern of arterial remodeling to reduce the occurrence of cerebrovascular events. Yet, direct evidence of the effect of intensive statin therapy on intracranial atherosclerotic plaques is lacking and the effect of statin intensity and duration on intracranial plaque burden and composition is still unclear. High resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI) is a new and non-invasive technique that enable to assess the morphologic characteristics of vascular wall and plaque composition of intracranial artery. Based on above discussion, the investigators conduct this study to further determine the effect of intensive statin in ischemic stroke with intracranial atherosclerotic plaques.

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.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Mirror Therapy and Mirror Mode of Hand Robot in Stroke

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effectiveness of conventional mirror therapy and robotic mirror mode training in promoting upper extremity motor recovery in adult patients with ischemic stroke during the early subacute phase. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does mirror mode of a robotic hand device result in greater motor function recovery compared to conventional mirror therapy? Are there differences between the groups in somatosensory improvement and gross motor skill outcomes? Do both intervention modalities result in clinically significant improvements in motor and functional outcomes? Researchers will compare a conventional mirror therapy group and a robotic-assisted mirror mode group to determine which provides more significant gains in motor function, somatosensory input, and functional use of the paretic arm. Participants will: Receive standard physiotherapy sessions for 6 weeks Be randomly assigned to either mirror therapy or robotic mirror mode intervention Be evaluated using Fugl-Meyer Assessment, ARAT, Box and Block Test, Wolf Motor Function Test and Tactile/proprioceptive sensory test using Fugl-Meyer Assessment Sensory subsection.

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.

Motor Recovery Through Plasticity-Inducing Cortical Stimulation

Using the CorTec Brain Interchange (BIC) System, we will examine the effect of a plasticity-inducing therapy regime on the rehabilitation of upper limb impairment post-stroke. This study's main objective is to implement and evaluate neuroplasticity-inducing stimulation. The stimulation methods for inducing neuroplasticity have been selected based on prior preclinical and intraoperative work that has shown promise in providing rehabilitative benefits for stroke patients. We will be structuring this study as an open prospective feasibility study.

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.

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.

Advancing Reperfusion Therapy for Ischemic Stroke (ARTS): Tenecteplase in Medium Vessel Occlusion (MeVO) for Acute Ischemic Stroke

Results from recent several trials provided data showing limits to the effectiveness of thrombectomy for ischemic stroke due to medium vessel occlusions.The benefit-risk profile of thrombolysis for these patients has never been investigated. We initiated a multicenter, prospective, randomized, open label, blinded-endpoint (PROBE) controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tenecteplase (0.25mg/kg, maximum dose 25mg) compared to standard medical care for patients with acute ischemic stroke due to medium vessel occlusion (MeVO) within 4.5 to 24 hours from symptom onset.

Effects of Neuronavigated Theta Burst Stimulation in Therapy of Post-stroke Aphasia

Aphasia is an impairment in the ability to express and/or understand language, commonly observed after stroke to the language dominant (left) hemisphere. Despite natural tendency to spontaneous functional recovery in the first months post stroke and language improvement due to application of behavioral speech and language therapy (SLT), many aphasic patients do not achieve satisfactory level of verbal communication. The aim of the planned study is to explore the potential of the noninvasive repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) as a therapeutic tool for aphasia in addition to traditional behavioral therapy. In case of aphasia, studies on therapeutic effectiveness of rTMS aim to increase the activity of the language-dominant left cerebral hemisphere, which may be achieved in an indirect manner by inhibiting the activity of the opposite (right) hemisphere or in a direct manner by increasing the excitability of preserved language areas in the left hemisphere. In our study, we plan to administer the newest form of rTMS called Theta Burst Stimulation (TBS), which is safer than the conventional rTMS, even when used in the perilesional area. Computer-based neuronavigation system will be implemented to precisely localize stimulation targets, control administration of stimuli during rTMS sessions, and evaluate differences between participants regarding deviations from established stimulation points. 45 patients (all right-handed, polish native speakers, aged 18-75 years, diagnosed with non-fluent aphasia) will be enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial. Subjects will be randomly assigned to one of the three groups: 1) a group with excitatory intermittent TBS of the left hemisphere (iTBS group), 2) a group with inhibitory continuous TBS of the right hemisphere (cTBS group), 3) a group with sham TBS (sTBS group as a control group). Specific forms of stimulation will be carried out for three consecutive weeks (Monday to Friday; a total of 15 stimulation sessions). Immediately after each session of the stimulation, patients will undergo individual SLT. Assessment of language functioning will be carried out three times: before and after the therapy period, and 3 months after its completion. Results of the study will broaden knowledge about hemispherical mechanisms of language and speech recovery after stroke and provide insight into possibilities of their modulation for the purpose of post-stroke rehabilitation.

Promoting Recovery After STroke With Amantadine

The investigators aim to examine whether amantadine can help patients recover from stroke. This will be a blinded randomized clinical trial (RCT). Patients will be randomized post-ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke either to the placebo arm or amantadine arm. Patients will be on study drug or placebo for 1 month but will be enrolled for 3 months total. At various time points patients will be examined and fill out questionnaires to determine level of stroke recovery.