Neurosurgery

Below are current clinical trials.

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

1. Human Blood and Tissues Repository for Neuroscience Research

   Jacksonville, Fla.

   The purpose of this study is to collect adult human blood, cerebrospinal fluid, brain, and spine tissues/fluids at time of surgery in order to conduct future studies of the cellular mechanisms of tissue invasion utilized by brain and spine tumors of the central nervous system (CNS).

2. Treatment of Brain AVMs (TOBAS) Study

   Jacksonville, Fla.

   The purpose of this study is to offer the best management possible for patients with brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) (ruptured or unruptured) in terms of long-term outcomes, despite the presence of uncertainty.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. A Study of the Possible Use of a New Imaging Method with Glioma Tumors

   Rochester, Minn., Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz.

   The purpose of this study is to see if Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE) a recently developed imaging technique can be used to characterize and help stage glioma tumors and evaluate response to therapy.

6. A Study to Assess Sinus Stenting to Manage Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to determine whether transverse/sigmoid sinus junction stenting reduces the risk of recurrent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension presenting with CSF leak.

    

7. 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.

8. A Study to Evaluate the Feasibility of Intraoperative Microdialysis (tissue sampling) during Neurosurgery for Central Nervous System Malignancies

   Rochester, Minn.

   Intraoperative Microdialysis During Neurosurgery for Central Nervous System Malignancies

9. A Study to Test Concussion Return to Baseline after Elective Craniotomy Procedure

   Jacksonville, Fla.

   The purpose of this study is to determine return to baseline (RTB) period after an elective craniotomy procedure using the ImPACT testing assessment.

10. A Multimodal Monitoring (MMM) Computer to Detect Physiologic Trends in Data in Neurointensive Care Unit Patients

    Rochester, Minn., Jacksonville, Fla.

    The purpose of this study is to identify important physiologic trends in bedside ICU data such as cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), intracranial pressure (ICP) using a bedside “Multimodal monitoring” (MMM) computer which utilizes ICM+ Cambridge software.