View clinical trials related to Brain Injuries.
Filter by:Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) occurs in almost 20% of patients with severe acute brain injury and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. A massive increase in sympathetic activity and an increased production of proinflammatory cytokines released into the systemic circulation are the most important recognized mechanisms. Altered blood brain barrier after injury causes spillover of inflammatory mediators from the brain into the systemic circulation leading to peripheral organs damage. The adrenergic surge induces an increase in vascular hydrostatic pressure and lung capillary permeability, causing an alteration of alveolar capillary barrier with fluid accumulation, resulting in ARDS. The main goal of mechanical ventilation after acute brain injury are the maintenance of optimal oxygenation, and a tight control of carbon dioxide tension, although ventilatory settings to be used to obtain these targets, while avoiding secondary insults to the brain, are not clearly identified. Protective ventilatory strategy has been positively evaluated first in patients with ARDS, and then in those undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass or lung resection surgery, or in brain death organ donors, but data on the effect of protective mechanical ventilation on patients with acute brain injury are still lacking even if this is a population with recognized risk factors for ARDS. Therefore, the primary aim of this multi-center, prospective, randomized, controlled trial is to investigate whether a protective ventilatory strategy, in the early phase after severe acute brain injury, is associated with a lower incidence of ARDS, avoiding any further damage to the brain. Secondary aim is to evaluate if a protective ventilatory strategy is associated with reduced duration of mechanical ventilation, incidence of organ failure, intensive care unit length of stay, and lower concentrations of plasma inflammatory cytokines, without adversely affect in neurological outcome.
The purpose of the study is to gather information about patients with mild traumatic brain injury in order to develop guidelines for evaluation and treatment.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common combat related problems and may be associated with a greater risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The purpose of this study is to examine the possible connections between TBI and PTSD, and the signs and symptoms of AD on Veterans as they age. The information collected will help to learn more about how these injuries may affect Veterans of the Vietnam War as they grow older, as well as Veterans of the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, who also have these types of combat related injuries.
The purpose of this pilot study is to investigate the relationship between attention and emotional function post-Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in an effort to better understand the cognitive mechanisms of emotional processing in patients with TBI, and explore novel treatment strategies to improve emotional regulation using with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to modulate activity in the dysfunctional prefrontal-limbic circuits.
We will explore the use of Huperzine A in patients who have sustained a moderate to severe Traumatic Brain Injury. We aim to determine whether Huperzine A, as compared with placebo, would have an effect on memory function after TBI. Additionally, we aim to determine whether use of Huperzine A in these patients can change brain activity (as indexed by EEG and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation - TMS), and reduce prevalence/frequency of post-traumatic seizures. We also aim to evaluate the safety of Huperzine A in this population as compared with placebo.
This study will provide initial data on the safety and effectiveness of allopregnanolone in improving neurobehavioral outcome and reducing mortality in adults with moderate and severe traumatic brain injury.
The main purpose of this study is to prospectively examine changes in Brain Network Activation(BNA)following concussion in high school athletes. In addition, the study will examine the relationship between changes in BNA to symptoms, cognitive performance and vestibular function from baseline to 1-7, 8-14 and 15-21 day post injury intervals in high school athletes with concussion.
The goal of this clinical research study at RIC is to determine the value and benefit of the SK multimodal balance training system through independent clinical evaluations. The functional benefit of the SK Balance system will be measured by any improvements in balance and functional assessments. This study is primarily funded through Engineering Acoustics as a subcontract for a phase II Small Business Innovation Research by the Department of Defense. 3) Hypotheses & Research Objectives and Purpose: The specific research questions to be addressed are: 1. How does an 8-week SKBS+VRT training intervention compare to an 8-week standard VRT intervention on balance and functional gait measures in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) participants. 2. How do SKBS measurement tools compare to standard clinical assessments of gait and balance in mTBI patients The purpose of this clinical research study is to compare the value and benefit of the SK multimodal balance training system in combination with traditional vestibular rehabilitation vs. traditional vestibular rehabilitation alone through independent clinical evaluations. The functional benefit of the SK Balance system will be measured by any improvements in clinical measures of balance, functional mobility, and gait assessment.
Difficulties with intellectual functioning, particularly memory functions, are common and source of long-term disability after Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). However, there is very little information about pharmacologic (i.e., medication) treatments targeting these deficits. There are growing data showing brain abnormalities in acetylcholine, the chemical system that manages memory, in TBI. These findings provide the rationale for the use of cholinesterase inhibitors, medications that modulate this system, in TBI patients. As the prevalence of TBI among Veterans of recent military conflicts increases, becoming a "signature injury" of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, it is of utmost importance to the Veterans Health Administration to collect scientific data on the efficacy of pharmacological treatments for intellectual difficulties in TBI patients. This study will evaluate the effects of the cholinesterase inhibitor rivastigmine transdermal patch in Veterans with TBI and posttraumatic memory problems. Results will provide much needed data that will help treat Veterans with TBI.
Background: - The amount of blood flowing in brain areas goes up when those areas are being used for activities, such as movement or seeing. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a common way of measuring blood flow in the brain. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) can also be used to study blood flow in the brain. However, NIRS has not been used as often as fMRI. Researchers want to compare fMRI and NIRS to see whether they give similar results. These studies will be used to look at people who have had a traumatic brain injury. Objectives: - To test how well NIRS measure changes in blood flow in the brain after a traumatic brain injury. Eligibility: - Individuals between 18 and 60 years of age who have had a traumatic brain injury. - Healthy volunteers at least 18 years of age. Design: - Participants will be screened with a physical exam and medical history. Researchers may ask to see brain images during from previous MRI scans. - Participants will have a NIRS scan of the brain. They will be asked to do certain tasks while inside the scanner. These tasks will involve responding to images that appear on a screen. - Treatment will not be provided as part of this study.