Neurology

Below are current clinical trials.

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

1. Memantine Hydrochloride and Whole-Brain Radiotherapy With or Without Hippocampal Avoidance in Reducing Neurocognitive Decline in Patients With Brain Metastases

   Mankato, Minn., La Crosse, Wis., Eau Claire, Wis., Rochester, Minn., Albert Lea, Minn.

   This randomized phase III trial compares memantine hydrochloride and whole-brain radiotherapy with or without hippocampal avoidance in reducing neurocognitive decline in patients with cancer that has spread from the primary site (place where it started) to the brain. Whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) is the most common treatment for brain metastasis. Unfortunately, the majority of patients with brain metastases experience cognitive (such as learning and memory) deterioration after WBRT. Memantine hydrochloride may enhance cognitive function by binding to and inhibiting channels of receptors located in the central nervous system. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Using radiation techniques, such as intensity modulated radiotherapy to avoid the hippocampal region during WBRT, may reduce the radiation dose to the hippocampus and help limit the radiation-induced cognitive decline. It is not yet known whether giving memantine hydrochloride and WBRT with or without hippocampal avoidance works better in reducing neurocognitive decline in patients with brain metastases.

2. A Study to Explore if it is Possible to Successfully Obtain Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Imaging and Data While Patients Undergo Brain Surgery

   Jacksonville, Fla.

   The goal of this study is to investigate the feasibility of successfully obtaining intra-operative OCT imaging and data during standard brain surgery.

3. A Study to Evaluate Sex and Gender in Multiple System Atrophy

   Rochester, Minn.

   The primary purpose of this study is to understand the influence of sex and gender on pathophysiologic mechanisms of neurodegeneration in Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) in order to determine sex-specific hormonal factors associated with onset of symptoms in MSA.

4. Left Atrial Appendage Exclusion for Prophylactic Stroke Reduction Trial

   Rochester, Minn.

   The objective of this trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of left atrial appendage exclusion (LAAE) for the prevention of ischemic stroke or systemic arterial embolism in subjects undergoing cardiac surgery who have risk factors for atrial fibrillation and ischemic stroke.

5. A Study to Assess Biomarkers of Cerebral Cavernous Angioma with Symptomatic Hemorrhage (CASH)

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to develop prognostic and diagnostic blood tests for symptomatic brain hemorrhage in patients diagnosed with cavernous angiomas, a critical clinical challenge in a disease affecting more than a million Americans. We further examine whether blood biomarkers can replace or enhance the accuracy of advanced imaging in association with lesional bleeding. The project tests a novel integrational approach of biomarker development in a mechanistically defined cerebrovascular disease, with a clinically relevant context of use.

6. A Study to Evaluate Biomarker Target Stimulation

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to understand how electrical stimulation of the brain can modulate and suppress interictal epileptiform activity as a step on the path to developing new therapies for epilepsy.

7. A Registry of Biospecimens for Patients with Central Nervous Systems Inflammatory Disease

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of the study is to learn more about inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) by collecting patient information, blood sample (which contain a person’s genes, DNA) and other available tissue samples.

8. A Study of a New Way to Treat Children and Young Adults With a Brain Tumor Called NGGCT

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to monitor outcome to ensure that children and young adults with localized central nervous system (CNS) non-germinomatous germ cell tumors (NGGCT) treated with Induction chemotherapy followed by response evaluation and whole ventricular + spinal canal irradiation (WVSCI) will maintain the excellent 2-year progression free survival (PFS) rate as compared to ACNS0122. Also, to improve disease control by decreasing the number of spinal relapses for patients who achieve a complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) and receive WVSCI as compared to whole ventricular radiation on ACNS1123.

9. Analyses of Metabolic Agents Following Brain Radiation

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of serial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) assessments to evaluate the pharmacodynamic impact of agents targeting radiation-induced biology administered following completion of brain radiation.

10. Evaluating Optic Nerve Disease with OCT Angiography

    Rochester, Minn.

    The purpose of this study is to determine if optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography is able to distinguish different causes of optic neuropathy.