Protecting Brains and Saving Futures - the PBSF Protocol
Brain InjuriesCongenital Heart Disease15 moreBackground: Multiple neonatal disorders are associated with risks of neurological injury. Thus, management of these infants should involve a coordinated approach to permit early diagnosis with improved clinical care. Such initiative involves the use of standardized protocols, continuous and specialized brain monitoring with electroencephalography (EEG), amplitude integrated EEG (aEEG) and Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS), neuroimaging and training. Brazil is a very large country with disparities in health care assessment; some neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are not well structured and trained to provide adequate neurocritical care. However, the development and implementation of these neurocritical care units requires high expertise and significant investment of time, manpower and equipment. In order to reduce the existing gap, a unique advanced telemedicine model of neurocritical care called Protecting Brains and Saving Futures (PBSF) protocol was developed and implemented in some Brazilian NICUs. Methods: A prospective observational cohort study will be conducted in 20 Brazilian NICUs that have adopted the PBSF protocol. All infants receiving the protocol during January 2021 to December 2023 will be eligible. Ethical approval will be obtained from the participating institutions. The primary objective is to describe the use of the PBSF protocol and clinical outcomes, by center and over a 3 years period. The use of the PBSF protocol will be measured by quantification of neuromonitoring, neuroimaging exams and sub-specialties consultation. Clinical outcomes of interest after the protocol implementation are length of hospital stay, detection of EEG seizures during hospitalization, use of anticonvulsants, inotropes, and fluid resuscitation, death before hospital discharge, and referral of patients to high-risk infant follow-up. These data will be also compared between infants with primarily neurologic and primarily clinical diagnosis. Discussion: The implementation of the PBSF protocol may provide adequate remote neurocritical care in high-risk infants with optimization of clinical management and improved outcomes. Data from this large, prospective, multicenter study are essential to determine whether neonatal neurocritical units can improve outcomes. Finally, it may offer the necessary framework for larger scale implementation and help in the development of studies of remote neuromonitoring.
Memantine for Epileptic Encephalopathy
Epileptic EncephalopathyChildhood-OnsetThis study will evaluate the potential benefit of memantine hydrochloride as treatment for children with epileptic encephalopathy using a double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over design.
Tackling 30-day Readmissions in Patients With Cirrhosis: The SALTYFOOD Trial
Hepatic EncephalopathyAscites2 moreThe purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of a home meal delivery program for patients with cirrhosis and ascites and to determine the effectiveness of a salt-restricted (2 gram sodium) meal delivery program in reducing the need for therapeutic paracenteses and/or all-cause re-admissions for these patients. Many patients with cirrhosis don't have enough nutrients in the body and are frail and these meals may help them maintain a good diet and lead to improved quality of life.
OMT to Improve Feeding After Hypothermia
Neonatal EncephalopathyFeeding; Difficult1 moreThe goal of this study is to determine if infants with neonatal encephalopathy will achieve full oral feeds faster after therapeutic hypothermia has completed if they are treated with osteopathic manipulative treatment. The treated infants will be compared to matched historical controls.
Treating Chronic Symptoms of Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury - a Feasibility Study
Brain InjuriesBrain Diseases2 moreChildren with acquired brain injury (ABI) often struggle with complex impairments, including cognitive (such as memory and attention), social, emotional and behavioral challenges. There is broad agreement that there is a lack of evidence-based knowledge about rehabilitation for children with ABI in the chronic phase. The current study is a feasibility study of a planned randomized controlled trial (RCT), the CICI-intervention, directed towards children with ABI and their families in the chronic phase. The feasibility study aims to evaluate the study protocol, the assessment procedures and the technical solutions prior to performing the RCT. A feasibility study with six participating children and families will be conducted in close collaboration with schools and local health care providers. The intervention to be tested (the CICI-intervention) focuses on the child's and family's individually identified target outcome areas to be addressed, with corresponding rehabilitation goals. The intervention aims to enhance everyday functioning in the home and school environment by reducing ABI-related symptoms, and by attaining rehabilitation goals in areas noted as challenging by the participants. In the future RCT-study the efficacy of the CICI-intervention will be measured in terms of goal attainment, community participation, cognitive, behavioral, social, and family functioning.
Clinical Study to Test the Safety of CDNF by Brain Infusion in Patients With Parkinson's Disease...
Parkinson DiseaseMovement Disorders3 moreThis study evaluates the safety and tolerability of CDNF in patients with Parkinson's disease, when dosed directly into the brain using an implanted investigational drug delivery system (DDS). Safety and accuracy of the DDS is also being evaluated. One-third of the patients will receive monthly infusions with placebo and two-third of the patients will receive monthly infusions with either mid- or high-doses of CDNF for a period of 6 months.
A Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability and Immunogenicity of Tau Targeted Vaccines in Participants...
Alzheimer's DiseaseCognitive Impairment5 moreThis study is a multicenter, double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of different doses, regimens and combinations of Tau targeted vaccines in participants with early Alzheimer's Disease.
Mindfulness-based Intervention to Promote Psychological Wellbeing in People With Epilepsy
EpilepsyBrain Diseases2 moreThe efficacy of mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) for epilepsy has yet to be thoroughly investigated. Hence, the aim of the present study is to examine the effects of MBI on the psychological wellbeing of people with epilepsy (PWE) using a randomized trial design. Key outcomes include depression, anxiety and quality of life. Our primary objective was to evaluate the effect of mindfulness-based therapy on anxiety, depression, epilepsy specific QOL, and life satisfaction in PWE, applying the concept of Reliable Change Index. The secondary objective was to assess whether the results correlate with the level of mindfulness. Study results may be used to decide whether it is worth offering mindfulness training for PWE as an alternative therapy to cope and improve seizure management.
Mild Encephalopathy in the Newborn Treated With Darbepoetin
Neonatal EncephalopathyHypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy MildThis is a Phase II multicenter placebo-controlled randomized, feasibility/safety trial. Infants >34 week gestational age with perinatal acidemia and mild neonatal encephalopathy on the modified Sarnat neurologic examination at less than six hours of age. Participants will be randomized to receive either one dose of Darbepoetin, or placebo within 24 hours of birth. Neurodevelopmental testing (Bayley (III or IV) and Gross Motor Function Assessment) will be performed at 24 months of age. Pharmacokinetics will be assessed on those infants that received Darbe.
Neurostimulation for Dysphagia in Parkinson's Disease
DysphagiaParkinson Disease2 moreThis study will explore the effects of 3 different neurostimulation methods on swallowing function in patients with dysphagia secondary to Parkinson's Disease