View clinical trials related to Brain Injuries.
Filter by:The purpose of this research study is to evaluate coughing in people who have had a brain injury. It is hypothesized that individuals who have sustained a brain injury will demonstrate differences in cough waveform and respiratory measures compared to individuals who have not sustained a brain injury.
Up to half of military veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) also suffer from co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Both are linked to higher risk of chronic pain, one of the most common health complaints among U.S. veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq), and Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND). However, pain medications elevate risk of opioid abuse, and studies indicate that veterans perceive barriers to traditional mental health treatments. Little research exists regarding non-pharmacological, technology-based interventions designed to reduce pain in veterans with PTSD and TBI. Mobile technology used to implement neurofeedback (EEG biofeedback) shows promise in providing a portable, low-cost intervention for reducing pain in veterans with co-occurring disorders. We aim to test the feasibility and effectiveness of using mobile neurofeedback devices for reducing pain symptoms in veterans with PTSD and TBI. Veterans with PTSD, TBI, and chronic pain will receive a NeuroSky headset (which reads EEG brain waves) and an iPod Touch with an app called Mobile Neurofeedback (which provides neurofeedback to induce relaxation). Veterans are taught how to use these together to do neurofeedback themselves at home for 12 weeks. Guided by existing research and preliminary data, we hypothesize that participants will show high levels of adherence to the NeuroSky + Mobile Neurofeedback intervention for the 3-month study duration and that participants will show statistically significant reduction in pain symptoms at 3 months compared to baseline. Given links between pain and other outcomes in veterans, we will also explore effects on drug abuse, violence, and suicidality. When the research is complete, the field will be changed because we will know whether new technology reading EEG brainwaves can be used to treat symptoms among individuals suffering from chronic pain. We will also know whether neurofeedback shows promise as an effective intervention for veterans with PTSD and TBI to reduce pain and related outcomes. If this program of research is successful, its impact will be to shift approaches to managing pain in clinical practice, for both veterans and civilians
This open label trial is conducted to investigate the efficacy and safety of the combination therapy of allogeneic umbilical cord blood (UCB) and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) for patients with brain injury or neurodegenerative disorders.
The purpose of this research study is to find out if a specialized helmet that provides low levels of near infrared light, also known as low-level light therapy (LLLT) has any effect on the recovery of people who have recently (within 72h) suffered a moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI).
The objective of the study is to compare the effects of 48 hours ketamine infusion versus sufentanil infusion on brain glutamate concentrations measured with microdialysis after traumatic brain injury. We hypothesize that ketamine infusion will decrease high glutamate values faster than sufentanil.
Neuroglobin has been described as a marker of traumatic brain injury. Nogo-A plays an important role in mediating neuroanatomical plasticity and functional recovery following traumatic brain injury. The investigators sought to examine the changes in serum neuroglobin and Nogo-A concentrations in patients with traumatic brain injury during the initial 96-h posttraumatic period and assessed the relation of neuroglobin and Nogo-A to Glasgow Coma Score and prognosis of such patients with traumatic brain injury.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of Methylphenidate in pediatric acquired brain injury population, regarding ecologic (every day) function. It is hypothesized that the function with treatment will improve when compared to function without treatment in the same patient. Improvement is expected by shortening time of execution in each specific task and by reduction of the amount of assistance needed.
Background: - Traumatic brain injury (TBI) injures blood vessels in the brain. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) help the body form new blood vessels. The drug erythropoietin (EPO) helps the body make more blood cells and might help make blood vessels. Researchers want to see if EPO helps people with TBI. Objective: - To see whether erythropoietin increases the number of endothelial progenitor cells circulating in the blood and changes reactivity of brain vessels. Eligibility: - Adults age 18 70 who had a TBI 3 7 days ago and still have symptoms. Design: - Participants will be screened with medical history and blood tests. Vital signs will be taken. - Visit 1: - Medical history, physical exam, and blood sample. - Neuropsychological tests of memory, attention, and thinking. These include written and spoken questions, tests on paper or computer, and simple actions. - Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan with carbon dioxide. Participants will lie on a table that slides in and out of a metal cylinder. For part of the scan, participants will wear a breathing mask like a snorkel and wear a nose clip. - Study drug or placebo injection under the skin of the arm, leg, or buttock. - Visits 2, 3, and 4 will be 1 week apart. - Blood sample. - Review of TBI symptoms and any drug side effects. - Study drug or placebo injection under the skin. - Visit 5 will be 1 week after visit 4. Visit 6 will be 6 months after participants start the study. - Blood sample. - Review of TBI symptoms and any drug side effects. - Neuropsychological tests. - MRI with carbon dioxide.
Deficits in memory, attention, cognitive, and executive functions are the most common disabilities after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Dopamine (DA) neurotransmission is implicated in these neural functions and dopaminergic pathways are recognized to be frequently disrupted after TBI. Methylphenidate increases synaptic DA levels by binding to presynaptic dopamine transporters (DAT) and blocking re-uptake. The objectives of this study are to use PET imaging with [11C]-raclopride, a D2/D3 receptor ligand, before and after administering methylphenidate, to measure endogenous DA release in patients who are experiencing problems with cognition, attention and executive function in the chronic stage after TBI. In addition, we will use TMS to test short intracortical inhibition, a gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor A (GABAA) - mediated phenomenon, which is under partial DA control, as a measure of dopaminergic activity on and off
Interventions to help individuals with traumatic brain injury manage their healthy lifestyle behaviors have been limited. Thus, the goal of this project is to evaluate the efficacy of a telehealth lifestyle program on reductions in weight and improvements in health behaviors/lifestyle choices.