View clinical trials related to Cerebral Cavernous Malformations.
Filter by:This is a single center, randomized, trial that will enroll twenty (n=20) patients with a diagnosis of symptomatic cavernous malformations who are planned candidates for surgical resection by one of the investigators, and who meet all of the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients will be randomized into two groups: A Treatment group of ten (n=10) patients that will receive oral propranolol at a dose of 60mg per day (one 60mg ER capsule per day) for 7- to 10-days prior to surgery plus their usual medications, and a Control group of 10 (n=10) patients will receive only their routine medications. Currently, the only active treatment alternative for symptomatic cerebral cavernous malformations is surgery. A control group is required to allow for a semi-quantitative comparison with mRNA and miRNA levels in the treatment group.
Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are clusters of abnormal blood vessels in the brain and spine. CCMs can bleed and cause strokes, seizures, and headaches. In some patients, CCMs affect the blood brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is the body's separation of blood and its contents in the brain from the brain tissue itself. Abnormal leakiness or permeability of this barrier can cause disease. We will measure the permeability (leakiness) of the BBB using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique called dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCEMRI). The purpose of this study is to look at whether statin medications change the permeability (leakiness) of the blood brain barrier in CCM patients. Statin medications are used to lower cholesterol levels and prevent heart attack and stroke. In addition, this medication may decrease the risk of brain hemorrhage or bleeding in patients with CCM. This study will examine whether the permeability of the BBB changes following the administration of simvastatin for three months.