Active clinical trials for "Brain Injuries"

The purpose of this study is to learn if a new brain imaging technology called DaTscan can detect subtle changes in the brain that are similar to those seen in early Parkinson's disease (PD). The results of this study may provide more information about a possible association between mild to moderate traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and PD. The objectives of this study are to define and describe a group of approximately 7,122 mTBI subjects and 7,122 subjects without mTBI (mTBI-) seen in the Emergency Rooms of NorthShore University HealthSystem during the years 2006-2011, and to select from willing eligible subjects a random sample of 100 mTBI subjects and 100 mTBI- subjects (of the same age and gender) to undergo written informed consent, neurological examinations, blood drawing for DNA extraction and storage, and DaTscan brain imaging. The investigators will compare the findings from persons who experienced mTBI (cases) to persons without a history of brain injury (mTBI- or "controls").

Hemiparetic gait following acquired brain injury (ABI) is grossly characterized by decreased speed of walking, increased stance time on the unaffected side, and decreased stance time on the affected side.These abnormalities are associated with a complex pattern of dysfunction including muscle weakness, spasticity, impaired sensory-motor control, long-term mechanical changes in muscles and joints, and cognitive impairments e.g. attention.\ At this stage of our knowledge it is still unclear which kinetic and kinematic parameters of hemiparetic gait provide insight about the different components of the complex pattern of dysfunction. A novel technique had been introduced in the Motion Laboratory of the Sheba Medical Center consisting of an ordinary treadmill that is equipped with a 'mat' of more than 5000 high-quality capacitive pressure/force sensors. This treadmill developed by "ZEBRIS" enables to analyze gait and roll-off patterns on the treadmill. Aims of the study: To assess variability of data derived from the Zebris treadmill. To investigate stability of hemiparetic gait. To evaluate variability and relevant gait parameters taking place during recovery after acute ABI. To compare gait on ground with gait on treadmill. Rationale of the study- Basic assumptions of the study: No significant change in gait parameters is expected in both groups including healthy controls and chronic ABI subjects in recurrent examination within one week period. Subacute ABI patients are found to be within the context of neurorehabilitative recovery due to brain plasticity. Therefore a change in gait parameters is expected within two consecutive examinations in the chosen time intervals. All measurements are subject to error which contributes to the variance of outcomes. On the grounds of these assumptions: A. Two consecutive examinations in both groups including healthy controls and chronic ABI subjects are intended to estimate the error in measured values. B. Two consecutive examinations in the subacute ABI patient group are intended to estimate the contribution of neurorehabilitative recovery due to brain plasticity assessed with this unique research instrumentation.

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between attempted and/or completed suicide and reported experience of chronic pain among an adult veteran population. Specific aims include a) examining the experience of chronic pain between patients who have either attempted and/or completed suicide, non-suicide attempt mental health patients, and non-mental health chronic pain patients and b) determining possible differences in reported experiences of chronic pain based on mental and physical diagnoses, age, gender, ethnicity, occupation, and patient's recorded perceptions of depression and/or quality of life. As articulated in the Amendment approved on June 13, 2008, additional areas of interest include histories of neurological disease (e.g. traumatic brain injury) and/or mental health diagnoses. History of both neurologic disease and mental health diagnoses will also be identified by chart review (per approval obtained June 13, 2008). As such this study will also compare differences (e.g., mental health, neurological disease) between veterans who have history of a suicide attempt, completion, or a lifetime history of suicidality and matched control veterans without a history of suicide attempts, completions, or lifetime history of suicide. The relationship between suicidal behavior, attempted/completed suicide, and reported Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms among an adult veteran population is also of interest. Additionally, this data set will be used to complete a validation study regarding the Self-Directed Violence Classification System (SDVCS). Specifically, relevant information in subject chart notes regarding self-directed violence (SDV) will be used to categorize thoughts and behaviors according to the SDVCS.

The purpose of this study is to explore and potentially increase the capacity of the non-VA community mental health system within the state of Colorado to provide a comprehensive and coordinated service delivery system for Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Veterans and their families. The specific population of interest is OEF/OIF Veterans with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and co-occurring behavioral health issues.

We hypothesize that the stroke volume variation measured using the commercially available LiDCO monitor provides a reasonable estimate of volume when compared to standard measures. This study will collate data that is already being collected by the bedside nurses.

Introduction and Aims: The objective of this prospective study is to evaluate the risk factors of minor head injury in all consecutive patients of one year.

Patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) represent a burden of patients admitted to the emergency department. According to the guidelines, a cerebral CT scan is indicated after mTBI according to the specific conditions. However, variability exists regarding the respect of these CT scan indications, and less than 10% of patients will have visible brain lesions on CT scan. Recently, serum Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) and Ubiquitin C-terminal Hydrolase-L1 (UCH-L1) biomarkers have shown ability to differentiate normal and abnormal CT scan findings after mTBI. These encouraging results prompted us to launch a prospective study using automated and quick measurements of GFAP and UCH-L1 biomarkers to validate these findings.

Robots are commonly used in many settings to help with transportation needs, reduce human injuries, and assisting clinicians during surgeries. These applications could provide direct benefits to patients in the clinical rehabilitation field. In this study, the feasibility of 2 CARE robot prototypes in facilitating dependent transfers and assisting patient mobility in their daily living activities will be studied.

In this study patients who were admitted to our hospital with critical injuries were enrolled retrospectively from January 2012 to December 2015. Patients with an ISS>16 points, an AIS >3 in one body region and at least 2 different body regions affected were included. Possible prognostic factors were evaluated.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of disability in the United States. The EKSO GT Bionics® (EKSO®) is a robotic exoskeleton approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for rehabilitation following a cerebrovascular accident (CVA or stroke) and recently received approval for use in patients with TBI. The aim of the study was to examine if the use of exoskeleton rehabilitation in patients with TBI will produce beneficial outcomes. Methods: This retrospective chart-review reports the use of the (EKSO®) robotic device in the rehabilitation of patients with TBI compared to patients with CVA. The investigators utilized data from a single, private rehabilitation hospital for patients that received post-CVA or post-TBI robotic exoskeleton intervention. All patients that used the exoskeleton were discharged from the hospital between 01/01/2017 to 04/30/2020. Ninety-four percent (94%) of patients in the CVA groups and 100% of patients in the TBI group were of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity. Gains in total Functional Independence Measure (FIM), walking and cognition, and length of stay in the rehabilitation facility were measured. Results: Patients in the TBI group (n=11) were significantly younger than the patients in the CVA group (n=66; p< 0.05). Both groups spent a similar amount of time active, number of steps taken, and the number of sessions in the exoskeleton. Both groups also started with similar admission FIM scores. The FIM gain in the TBI group was similar to that of the CVA group (37.5 and 32.0 respectively). The length of stay between groups was not different either. Conclusions: The use of exoskeleton rehabilitation in patients with TBI appear to produce similar outcomes as for patients with CVA, prompting further attention of this intervention for this type of injury.