Clinical Research Directory

Beta-sitosterol for Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Mechanistic Analysis of Recovery and Therapy

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH), a devastating form of stroke, is associated with high mortality and disability rates due to complex secondary brain injuries-including neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and blood-brain barrier disruption-for which effective neuroprotective treatments remain scarce. Inspired by the neuroprotective properties of the traditional Chinese herb Gastrodia elata, this study identifies a novel bioactive mechanism: its extracellular vesicles (G-EVs) are naturally enriched with β-Sitosterol, a plant sterol with proven anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and endothelial-protective effects. This project represents the first clinical investigation into the therapeutic potential of β-Sitosterol for patients with aneurysmal SAH. Given the excellent safety profile of β-Sitosterol as a widely used dietary supplement, this study aims to evaluate its safety and tolerability in SAH patients while preliminarily exploring its efficacy in improving neurological outcomes. By analyzing key biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress, this research seeks to bridge the gap between traditional medicine and modern nanomedicine, offering a novel, safe, and accessible adjunct therapy for SAH and paving the way for plant-derived compounds in acute neurocritical care.

A Biopsychosocial-Based Multimodal Approach to Reducing the Risk of Delirium in ICU

As part of this study, an intervention program aimed at preventing delirium in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage treated in the intensive care unit will be implemented. Routine medical treatments, environmental adjustments, and a video-based communication program will be implemented to prevent delirium. In addition, basic body awareness training will be administered. Patients will be divided into two groups. One group will receive only the routine treatment program recommended by international guidelines (medical, enviromental adjustment and face-to-face interview etc.), while the other group will receive body awareness therapy addition to routine interventions.

The EBC Recovery Study

The purpose of this research study to find out if clinically unconscious acute brain injury patients that show brain activation to music and language on electroencephalogram (EEG) (bedside test) have better outcomes and wake up in the future.

Investigation of the Role of Inflammatory Markers in the Early Detection of Cerebral Vasospasm, Delayed Cerebral Ischemia, and Meningitis Associated With External Cerebrospinal Fluid Drainage After Non-Traumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage - A Prospective Case-Control Study

Background Non-traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is frequently complicated by delayed cerebral ischaemia (DCI) and by ventriculitis/meningitis when external CSF drains are used; bedside TCCD has limited accuracy for vasospasm detection, creating a need for early biomarkers. Objective To assess the predictive and diagnostic performance of IL-6, IL-1β, TNFα, procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP) and adrenomedullin (ADM) measured in CSF and serum for vasospasm, DCI, and drain-associated ventriculitis/meningitis after SAH; to test whether combining biomarkers improves accuracy versus routine parameters; and to explore associations with admission and day-14 serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D. Methods Prospective case-control study at the University of Debrecen (planned n≈100; enrolment 01-Nov-2024-31-Dec-2029). Adults with angiography-verified SAH requiring lumbar/ventricular drainage are included; traumatic SAH, prior 6-month meningitis, and immunosuppression are excluded. TCCD is performed daily for 14 days; suspected vasospasm is defined by mean flow velocity \>120 cm/s, severe by \>200 cm/s, with monitoring extended to day 21 if severe. Sampling: daily CSF IL-6/PCT/CRP until drain removal; IL-1β/TNFα/ADM at 0-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-11, 12-14 days and at meningitis detection; serum 25-OH-D on drain insertion day and day 14. Outcomes at days 30/90/180: mortality, GOSE, Barthel, Karnofsky, mRS. Statistics: normality testing; t-test or non-parametric equivalents; χ² with Yates' correction; Bonferroni for multiplicity; ROC analysis for diagnostic/predictive performance. Endpoints DCI: new unexplained CT ischaemia or a new unexplained neurological deficit \>1 h. Drain-associated infection: infectologist-adjudicated ventriculitis/meningitis. Vasospasm: TCCD-suggested or DSA-confirmed. Expected impact An accessible CSF/serum biomarker panel may enable earlier risk stratification and treatment for vasospasm, DCI, and drain-associated infections, and inform future randomized trials of vitamin-D supplementation in SAH.