Neurology

Below are current clinical trials.

Filter this list of studies by location, status and more.

1. A Long Term Study of Molecular and Structural Imaging in Atypical Alzheimer's Disease

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to learn more about amyloid and tau burden in the brain of patients with Atypical Alzheimer's Disease and how that burden may change over a two-year period.

2. A Study to Evaluate Quantitative Phenotypes of Movement Disorders

   Jacksonville, Fla.

   The purpose of this study is to determine if adaptive rhythmic auditory stimulation (ARAS) is a safe means of improving gait; i.e., fewer falls, abrupt accelerations/decelerations in patients with movement disorders. Furthermore, we aim to provide patients with a safe environment in which they can safely navigate through an enjoyable experience (guided art tour) that provides exercise, social engagement, and exposure to art.

3. A Study to Evaluate Pluripotent Stem Cell Models for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Patients

   Rochester, Minn., La Crosse, Wis., Jacksonville, Fla.

   The purpose of this study is to perform RNA sequencing on induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC).  By comparing the gene expression of motor neurons derived from iPSC cells of phenotypically discordant Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) sibling pairs and individual cases of SMA, we hope to identify potential protective gene modifiers of SMA.   Identifying protective gene modifiers will increase our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of SMA.

4. A Study of Pyridostigmine in Postural Tachycardia Syndrome

   Rochester, Minn.

   This is a 3-day study comparing pyridostigmine versus placebo in the treatment of postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS). The researchers expect pyridostigmine to improve tachycardia and stabilize blood pressure.

5. A Study of Nervous System Involvement of Coccidioidomycosis at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Arizona

   Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz.

   The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the presentation, diagnostics, disease course and treatment variations, as well as the factors that may influence features of neuro-invasive Coccidioidomycosis. 

6. Synucleinopathies

   Rochester, Minn.

   The goals of the study are to prospectively evaluate clinical and laboratory biomarkers of multiple system atrophy and Parkinson’s disease at early clinical disease, at a premotor stage (PAF), and even at a prodromal stage (RBD).

7. A Study of Molecular Anatomic Imaging Analysis of Tau, the Primary Pathological Protein in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to learn more about the distribution of the pathological protein tau in the living brains of patients with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).

8. Carotid Revascularization and Medical Management for Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis Trial - Hemodynamics (CREST-H)

   Rochester, Minn., Jacksonville, Fla.

   We aim to determine whether cognitive impairment attributable to cerebral hemodynamic impairment in patients with high-grade asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis is reversible with restoration of flow. To accomplish this aim CREST-H will add on to the NINDS-sponsored CREST-2 trial (parallel, outcome-blinded Phase 3 clinical trials for patients with asymptomatic high-grade carotid artery stenosis which will compare carotid endarterectomy plus intensive medical management (IMM) versus IMM alone (n=1,240), and carotid artery stenting plus IMM versus IMM alone (n=1,240) to prevent stroke and death). CREST-H addresses the intriguing question of whether cognitive impairment can be reversed when it arises from abnormal cerebral hemodynamic perfusion in a hemodynamically impaired subset of the CREST-2 -randomized patients. We will enroll 500 patients from CREST-2, all of whom receive cognitive assessments at baseline and yearly thereafter. We anticipate identifying 100 patients with hemodynamic impairment as measured by an inter-hemispheral MRI perfusion "time to peak" (TTP) delay on the side of stenosis. Among those who are found to be hemodynamically impaired and have baseline cognitive impairment, the cognitive batteries at baseline and at 1 year will determine if those with flow failure who are randomized to a revascularization arm in CREST-2 will have better cognitive outcomes than those in the medical-only arm compared with this treatment difference for those who have no flow failure. We hypothesize that hemodynamically significant "asymptomatic" carotid disease may represent one of the few examples of treatable causes of cognitive impairment. If cognitive decline can be reversed in these patients, then we will have established a new indication for carotid revascularization independent of the risk of recurrent stroke.

9. A Study of Factors That Predispose, Promote, and Perpetuate Post-Traumatic Dizziness

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to investigate whether recent, groundbreaking discoveries about key pathophysiologic processes that drive chronic dizziness in patients without traumatic brain injury (TBI9,10) are applicable to patients with post-mTBI vestibular disability. We expect the results of this project to have practical clinical and research applications, providing novel data for two future steps:

10. A Study to Evaluate Sex Differences in Multiple Sclerosis Spectrum of Demyelinating Disorders

    Rochester, Minn.

    The purposes of this study are to explore the association between female sex, reproductive history and clinical phenotypic variability in multiple sclerosis (MS), to explore the association between female sex, reproductive history and radiologic phenotypic variability in MS, and to explore the association between female sex, genetic and environmental interactions in MS.