Clinical Trials Logo

Clinical Trial Summary

Stroke disease and cognitive impairment are common in patients established on haemodialysis (HD) for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Further, initiation of HD appears to transiently increase the risk of stroke. The mechanism by which this occurs is not known.

Using ultrasound, patient questionnaires and brain MRI our study will observe changes in cognition and cerebral blood flow whilst receiving HD compared to a non-dialysis day. Transient clinical and ultrasound alterations will be correlated to radiographic changes in cerebral perfusion and structure on MRI to determine the underlying mechanism for the increased stroke risk. The investigators will observe this effect in the immediate and longer term (12 months observation).

A greater understanding will allow development of effective preventive strategies.


Clinical Trial Description

Stroke is common in the United Kingdom and a leading cause of adult disability. It has been reported that more than half of all stroke survivors remain dependent on carers for everyday activities. A greater understanding stroke disease has led to improvements in stroke care for the general population.

Patients with ESRD are at increased risk of cerebrovascular disease with a risk approximately 5-10 times higher than the general population yet a relative paucity of data exploring the mechanisms and impact of stroke disease on patients on HD remains. Signs of cerebrovascular disease are common with evidence of early stroke disease (white matter hyperintensities on MRI) having been described in up to 50% of ESRD patients. In addition to this it is now estimated that up to 70% of patients on dialysis aged 55 years and older have moderate to severe cognitive impairment. Previous work has revealed that cognition declines during dialysis - specifically a decrease in executive function has been reported, without significant memory impairment. Such findings are in suggestive of vascular related injury. Mean cerebral blood flow assessed by transcranial Doppler ultrasound is reduced during dialysis, although whether this finding is associated with a clinical outcome is not clear.

In order to generate appropriate preventive strategies for stroke in ESRD the mechanism by which injury occurs must be confirmed. In addition, although a decrease in executive function has been shown during HD it is unclear if long-term HD is associated with progressive decline or if this clinical finding correlates with neuroimaging.

This study is being performed to determine:

- The impact of long term HD (including indices of cardiovascular instability) on changes on brain MRI and cognitive function.

- The relationship between intracerebral blood flow rate, brain MRI findings and neurocognitive function

- The relationship between intracranial blood flow measures (during and post haemodialysis (HD)) and brain perfusion and structure

Following informed written consent patients will be observed over a 12 month period. On the first visit participants will undergo a transcranial ultrasound before and during HD to achieve baseline and intra-dialytic blood flow velocities. During the dialysis sessions a neurocognitive assessment (patient questionnaire) will be performed which will assess multiple cognitive domains. On completion of dialysis a subgroup will undergo a brain MRI. All patients will meet with the investigators within 2 weeks to repeat the neurocognitive assessment on a non-dialysis day. This will allow for comparison of cognitive changes, alterations in cerebral blood flow and (in some) correlation with MRI findings. All participants will repeat this process 12 months later. ;


Study Design

Observational Model: Cohort, Time Perspective: Prospective


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


NCT number NCT02393222
Study type Observational
Source NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Contact Mark D Findlay, MBChB
Phone 01413304739
Email mark.findlay@glasgow.ac.uk
Status Not yet recruiting
Phase N/A
Start date March 2015
Completion date August 2017

See also
  Status Clinical Trial Phase
Recruiting NCT04043052 - Mobile Technologies and Post-stroke Depression N/A
Recruiting NCT03869138 - Alternative Therapies for Improving Physical Function in Individuals With Stroke N/A
Completed NCT04101695 - Hemodynamic Response of Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Over the Cerebellar Hemisphere in Healthy Subjects N/A
Completed NCT04034069 - Effects of Priming Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation on Upper Limb Motor Recovery After Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial N/A
Terminated NCT03052712 - Validation and Standardization of a Battery Evaluation of the Socio-emotional Functions in Various Neurological Pathologies N/A
Completed NCT00391378 - Cerebral Lesions and Outcome After Cardiac Surgery (CLOCS) N/A
Recruiting NCT06204744 - Home-based Arm and Hand Exercise Program for Stroke: A Multisite Trial N/A
Active, not recruiting NCT06043167 - Clinimetric Application of FOUR Scale as in Treatment and Rehabilitation of Patients With Acute Cerebral Injury
Active, not recruiting NCT04535479 - Dry Needling for Spasticity in Stroke N/A
Completed NCT03985761 - Utilizing Gaming Mechanics to Optimize Telerehabilitation Adherence in Persons With Stroke N/A
Recruiting NCT00859885 - International PFO Consortium N/A
Recruiting NCT06034119 - Effects of Voluntary Adjustments During Walking in Participants Post-stroke N/A
Completed NCT03622411 - Tablet-based Aphasia Therapy in the Chronic Phase N/A
Completed NCT01662960 - Visual Feedback Therapy for Treating Individuals With Hemiparesis Following Stroke N/A
Recruiting NCT05854485 - Robot-Aided Assessment and Rehabilitation of Upper Extremity Function After Stroke N/A
Active, not recruiting NCT05520528 - Impact of Group Participation on Adults With Aphasia N/A
Completed NCT03366129 - Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption in People With White Matter Hyperintensities Who Have Had a Stroke
Completed NCT05805748 - Serious Game Therapy in Neglect Patients N/A
Completed NCT03281590 - Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases Registry
Recruiting NCT05993221 - Deconstructing Post Stroke Hemiparesis