Active clinical trials for "Brain Injuries"

The purpose of this trial was to find the best dose of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to decrease brain injury in babies exposed to intrauterine infection without causing significant side effects.

The purpose of this study is to obtain evidence of the safety of NNZ-2566 in healthy female volunteers and to determine the pharmacokinetics (PK) of NNZ-2566 in healthy female volunteers.

The purpose of this study is: To assess the safety and feasibility of minocycline administration after TBI in a dose escalation study at two different doses over 7 days. To assess the pharmacokinetic characteristics of two different dosing regimens of minocycline in TBI patients, the effect on biochemical markers of neuroprotective mechanisms, and effect on neurobehavioral and functional outcome. To begin initial assessment of the efficacy of minocycline as a therapeutic agent for severe human TBI.

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of early administration of recombinant human erythropoietin on long-term neurological outcome after severe traumatic brain injury.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether Modafinil is effective in: (1) reducing fatigue and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI); and (2) improving cognitive function and quality of life in individuals with TBI.

Nightly administration of a unique, sublingual (under the tongue) formulation of tizanidine, a known anti-spasticity medication, has been shown in a previous study to improve sleep and next-day functioning in CP (cerebral palsy) patients. It is hypothesized that this improvement in sleep efficiency (i.e.,fewer wake episodes, longer time asleep, etc.) with resulting improvement in quality-of-life (i.e.,improvements in next-day functioning, cognition and movement) may also be seen in a similar patient population, i.e., children with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of three training programs designed to teach persons with acquired brain injury (ABI) to recognize emotions. It is hypothesized that the training programs will enhance several aspects of emotion recognition in persons with ABI. Furthermore, it is expected that these effects will be maintained over time, and will positively influence participants' social behavior and integration.

The aim of the initial proposal was to evaluate, in the context of optimal medical management, the impact of a bedside system of cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) information feedback on nursing moment-to-moment management of CPP, and the relationship of that management to patient functional outcome at discharge, 3 and 6 months. The primary hypothesis being tested is that Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) 6 months post acute care discharge will be significantly better in those monitored with the continuous CPP display. In the second phase of the study the adult study will be extended to children to determine if there is a critical threshold for CPP in children following brain injury based on their outcome at 3, 6, and 12 months. The primary outcome measure is the GOS at 12 months post-injury. The GOS, Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, and PedsQOL will also be assessed at 3, 6, & 12 months, and the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System at 3 and 6 months post-injury. In addition, the researchers will examine variability and complexity of physiologic measures, such as blood pressure, recorded during the intensive care unit stay of adults and children enrolled in the study. The researchers will study the association of these measures with risk for secondary brain injury and ability to predict differences in outcome. The researchers will also assess the value individuals place on varying outcomes following brain injury.

This randomized trial tested a 6 month intervention of computer network vs a control group (standard care) to improve quality of life and health status for traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients and their caregivers. The network, termed the Trauma Recovery Support System (TRSS), consisted of a central computer system connected via modem to a personal computer in the caregiver's home. Users could access via the Internet special modules and communication services to help them cope with their new roles as caregivers and with accompanying social isolation. These modules were an on-line discussion group, an "ask an expert questions" function, a database of previously asked questions with answers, a database of community resources, and a reference library.

Despite advances in post-resuscitation care of patients with cardiac arrest (CA), the majority of survivors who are treated after restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) will have sequelae of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury ranging from mild cognitive impairment to a vegetative state. Early prognostication in comatose patients after ROSC remains challenging. Recent recommendations suggest carrying out clinical and paraclinical tests during the first 72 h after ROSC, to predict a poor neurological outcome with a specificity greater than 95% (no pupillary and corneal reflexes, bilaterally absent N20 somatosensory evoked potential wave, status myoclonus, highly malignant electroencephalography including suppressed background ± periodic discharges or burst-suppression, neuron-specific enolase (NSE) > 60 µg/L, a diffuse and extensive anoxic injury on brain CT/MRI), but with a low sensitivity due to frequent confounding factors. The heart rate variability (HRV) is a simple and non-invasive technique for assessing the autonomic nervous system function. In patients with a recent myocardial infarction, reduced HRV is associated with an increased risk for malignant arrhythmias or death. In neurology, reduced HRV is associated with a poor outcome in severe brain injury patients and allows to predict early neurological deterioration and recurrent ischemic stroke after acute ischemic stroke. A reduced HRV could be a sensitive, specific and early indicator of diffuse anoxic brain injury after CA. This multicenter prospective cohort study assesses the added value of early HRV (within 24h of ICU admission) for neuroprognostication after cardiac arrest.