View clinical trials related to Brain Injuries.
Filter by:The goals of this study are to develop an objective, multi-modal classification scheme and outcome measures for traumatic brain injury based on several measures: (1) blood-based biomarkers (indicates which cell types are damaged), (2) eye tracking (detects mass effect/elevated intracranial pressure and pathway disruption), (3) radiographic measures of CT and MRI (detect structural abnormalities), and (4) standardized outcome assessments.
Dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI gives quantitative and semi-quantitative information about the integrity of the vascular system and can be used to quantify blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity. The BBB plays a pathophysiological role in diabetes, cognitive disorders such as mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Although dysfunctional, changes in BBB integrity for these conditions are thought to be subtle and close to intact values. Recent studies have shown it is possible measure small changes in the BBB integrity as an early sign of disease using DCE MRI. The objective of this study is to apply an optimized DCE imaging protocol and novel image post-processing to obtain new information about the BBB integrity in aging. These techniques show promise for both improving clinical diagnosis, and elucidated the physiology or various disease processes.
In this study researchers will apply transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for 5 consecutive days in chronic patients in minimally conscious state (MCS).
The purpose of this study is to determine if the pulse pressure changes are different whether patients are training in a traditional tilt table as compared to a robotic assisted tilt table, which induces leg movement.
The purpose of this study is to compare different combinations of cognitive training in retired professional football players and military veterans with a history of repeated concussions and persistent symptoms of impaired memory, concentration, attention, focus, or thinking.
The HS-1000 is an innovative non-invasive monitoring device that employs advanced acoustic signal analysis to calculate ICP on a continuous basis. Initial HS-1000 clinical data also shows promise in assessing a variety of cerebral hemodynamic parameters such as cerebral blood-flow, auto regulation monitoring, and cerebrovascular vessels compliance. In the absence of a non-invasive monitor of intracranial pressure (ICP), the relationships, if any, that may exist between concussion, timing of the concussion (e.g. acute, resolving, resolved) and ICP is unknown. The new HS-1000 non-invasive device may provide insight into assessment of possible ICP changes following concussion in children.
The HeadSense (HS) HS-1000 device, a new non-invasive brain monitor is expected to safely and accurately monitor concussed patients with minimal discomfort, potentially providing a new modality for concussion measurement. The device is based on advanced signal analysis algorithms that analyze a very low frequency acoustic signal (within the audible range) generated by the device. The acoustic signal is transmitted using a small transmitter, placed in the participant's ear, and picked by an acoustic sensor placed in the other ear.
The current study aims to better understand cerebral plasticity mechanisms to optimize non-pharmacological rehabilitation approaches for patients with traumatic brain injury.
Postoperative brain damage and neuropsychological disorders have been observed in 30 - 80 % of patients after heart surgery with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).They can persist up to a year after cardiac surgery and are associated with increased hospital mortality and prolonged intrahospital stay. Hypoperfusion,hyperthermia,atrial fibrillation,genetic predisposition and systemic inflammatory response associated with CPB have been identified as pathophysiological mechanisms.However, some authors consider cerebral embolisation to be the prevalent mechanism of intraoperative brain injury after cardiac surgery,as gaseous or solid cerebral emboli can cause ischemia, inflammation and edema,consequently causing cerebral infarctions usually resulting with stroke,coma,encephalopathy, delirium and cognitive decline. Additionally,they may impair cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR). Aortic valve replacement (AVR) preformed by full sternotomy is the standard approach in the treatment of aortic valve disease. Minimally invasive (MIS) aortic valve replacement has been shown to reduce postoperative mortality, morbidity, and pain while providing faster recovery, a shorter hospital stay, and better cosmetic results. However, due to technically more demanding procedure, MIS may lead to prolonged CPB time and incomplete de-airing of the heart with an increased risk for cerebral gas embolization. Therefore, the choice of MIS might bear an augmented risk for brain injury. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) enables real time detection of intraoperative emboli in the cerebral arteries seen as microembolic signals (MES), and is an essential neuromonitoring tool. Several studies demonstrated correlation between the number of MES and the occurrence as well as severity of postoperative neurological complications. However, the factors contributing to brain injury have not been elucidated in those studies. The investigators speculate that impairment of CVR is an important mechanism that persists and prolongs the duration of brain injury into postoperative period. The aim of the study is to compare two surgical approaches used for AVR, with focus on the number of MES and their impact on levels of protein S100B (marker of brain tissue damage),postoperative CVR and cognitive function With the results,the investigators aim to help surgeons in selecting the appropriate technique for AVR in individual participants,as well as to clarify the effect of aortic valve surgery on the brain.
The purpose of this research study is to investigate how useful three balance tests are in predicting fall risk in the individual with traumatic brain injury (TBI). These tests are the Functional Gait Assessment (FGA), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and the mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (mini-BESTest).