Active clinical trials for "Intracranial Hypertension"

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a condition characterized by an increase in intracranial pressure (ICP), papilledema with a risk of permanent visual loss, and severe headaches that profoundly affect quality of life. To date the exact pathophysiology of IIH remains unknown. IIH is considered a complex neurometabolic and neuroendocrine disorder, favored by female gender, and obesity. In the majority of patients (80% of the cases) IIH is associated with obstruction of cerebral venous drainage with stenosis of the transverse sinus. This stenosis may be the main underlying cause in the so-called "venogenic" form of IIH. Equally, in the absence of a stenosis, obstruction may occur when otherwise normal venous sinuses are compressed by the increased ICP, the so-called "non-venogenic" form of IIH. An innovative treatment of IIH with associated venous stenosis includes stenting of the transverse sinus stenosis. This strategy may allow resolution of papilledema and ICP reduction rates up to 80%. Although the pathogenesis of IIH is still poorly understood, inflammatory mechanisms, autoimmune reactions, and hormonal abnormalities of notably androgens, have been proposed to contribute to its pathophysiology. The function of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) has been studied by determining the prevalence of extravasation of endogenous proteins such as fibrinogen. A growing body of the literature shows a correlation between increased ICP and metabolic/hormonal changes. The improvement of IIH treated with acetazolamide and/or stenting appears to correlate with the reduction of ICP. Yet the association of this reduction with metabolic changes at the peripheral and central blood level as well as the CSF remains unclear. The search for specific inflammatory, immunological and hormonal biomarkers in patients with IIH and their variation in relation to the ICP should provide a better understanding of its etiology.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) has significant associated morbidity and reduced quality of life. There is a significant risk of visual loss and patients also typically suffer with chronic disabling headaches. This trial has been designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new formulation of exenatide (Presendin) in the reduction of intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with IIH.

Puncture of the ventricular system is one of the most frequently performed neurosurgical interventions. This procedure is commonly performed in order to treat and/or measure pathologically elevated intracranial pressure.Therefore a safe and fast surgical procedure is needed. Currently the "landmark-based" placement of intraventricular catheters is the gold standard. However it is known that more than 60% of the catheters are not accurately placed in accordance with "landmark-based" procedures. When the catheter is not placed accurately multiple punctures may be required. In this study, the investigators aim to investigate prospectively whether ultrasound guidance leads to a lower number of incorrect catheter placements, and whether this guidance consequently decreases the number of punctures.

The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of bolus of either sodium-lactate or mannitol on the evolution of intracranial pressure (ICP) during intracranial hypertensive episodes (IHE)

The investigators have documented a genetic predisposition for some astronauts to develop ophthalmologic issues (e.g., choroidal folds, cotton wool spots, optic disc edema). Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have several characteristics similar to those described in astronauts, including: higher homocysteine concentrations, increased incidence of intracranial hypertension, increased retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, increased incidence of white matter hyperintensities on MRI, increased androgen concentrations (or androgen responses to space flight), and indices of altered carbohydrate metabolism. Women with PCOS have not been evaluated in detail regarding the occurrence of other anomalies observed in astronauts including choroidal folds, optic disc edema and cotton wool spots as well as changes in cycloplegic refraction, and optic nerve sheath diameter. While researchers have evaluated one-carbon metabolism pathway polymorphisms re: PCOS, and initial studies show an association with certain one-carbon polymorphisms, none have looked at the complete set of SNPs proposed here. This study will evaluate women with PCOS and/or idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) to assess one-carbon biochemistry and genetics and their possible correlation with ophthalmologic findings. The investigators aim to clarify the relationship of one carbon metabolism and ophthalmic findings in astronauts and patients with PCOS and/or IIH.

Randomized trial of adults (≥18 years old) with idiopathic intracranial hypertension and moderate to severe visual loss without substantial recent treatment who are randomly assigned to (1) medical therapy, (2) medical therapy plus ONSF, or (3) medical therapy plus VPS. The primary outcome is visual field mean deviation change at first of Month 6 (26 weeks) or time of treatment failure of the eligible eye(s), followed by a continuation study to assess time to treatment failure. The determination of eligible eye(s) is based on meeting the eligibility criteria at baseline.

This study examines the role of osmotic agents in controlling brain swelling in brain injured individuals. Two osmotic agents -- mannitol and hypertonic saline -- are in common use, and they will be compared in the context of a randomized clinical trial. The goal is to determine if these agent differ in their ability to control episodes of brain swelling.

Will an increase of the dose of mannitol improve the effects on neuromonitoring in patients suffering intracranial hypertension following traumatic brain injury?

Objective: to assess the effectiveness of pentobarbital and thiopental to control raised intracranial pressure (ICP), refractory to first level measures, in patients with severe traumatic brain injury. Material and methods: prospective, randomized open study to compare the effectiveness between two treatments: pentobarbital and thiopental. The patients will be selected from those admitted to the Intensive Care Unit with a severe traumatic brain injury (postresuscitation Glasgow Coma Scale equal or less than 8 points) and raised ICP (ICP>20 mmHg) refractory to first level measures according to the Brain Trauma Foundation guidelines. The adverse effects of both treatments were also collected.

Invasive intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring is highly effective, but involves risks. HS-1000 measures ICP non-invasively by assessing the acoustic properties of the patient's head. HS-1000 device, a proprietary non-invasive ICP monitor, is expected to safely and accurately monitor ICP with minimal discomfort to patients, and provide information about normal or elevated ICP levels to the physicians.