Active clinical trials for "Spinal Cord Injuries"

Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in marked acute loss of bone. This study evaluates the effect of teriparatide (PTH) and the use of vibration as a form of mechanical stimulation on bone mass.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the safety of GRNOPC1 administered at a single time-point between 7 and 14 days post injury, inclusive, to patients with neurologically complete spinal cord injuries (SCI).

This study is designed to assess the safety of intravenous autologous adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells transplant in spinal cord injury patients.

With upright postures, there is an immediate redistribution of blood to the dependent circulation; venous return and central venous filling pressure are reduced, resulting in diminution of cardiac output and blood pressure. These hemodynamic alterations stimulate the baroreceptor reflex, which is mediated via the central nervous system to increase peripheral sympathetic vasomotor tone, restoring blood pressure and cardiac output within seconds-to-minutes of the assumption of the upright position. Following SCI, individuals often experience the inability to adjust to postural changes due to disruption of central command of the baroreceptor reflex and reduction in efferent sympathetic neural pathways; consequently, orthostatic hypotension (OH) and symptoms of cerebral hypo-perfusion may ensue. OH is a well-documented phenomenon, which is characterized by a fall in systolic blood pressure of >20 mmHg or diastolic BP of > 10 mmHg within 3 minutes of assumption of an upright posture. As a consequence of OH, many individuals experience symptoms of cerebral hypo-perfusion which include lightheadedness, dizziness, blurry vision, fatigue, nausea, ringing in the ears, cognitive impairment and heart palpitations. Although several investigators have reported increased prevalence of OH during the acute phase of spinal cord injury (SCI), individuals with chronic injury also experience significant falls in blood pressure with seated upright postures. This investigation will examine the effects of an alpha-agonist, midodrine hydrochloride, during head-up tilt on systemic blood pressure, cerebral blood flow and cerebral oxygenation compared to placebo administration in persons with chronic SCI who demonstrate significant orthostatic hypotension during a 24-hour observation study. This is the first study to determine the dose response and efficacy of midodrine to improve orthostatic blood pressure and cerebral blood flow and oxygenation in the SCI population.

This study will be an extension of the Spinal Cord Injury Vocational Integration Program (SCI-VIP). The study involves research about how to help Veterans with spinal cord injury (SCI) gain employment. Vocational rehabilitation is a special field of service aimed at putting persons with disabilities in the best possible position to become employed. The Veterans Administration has a long history of providing vocational rehabilitation for Veterans with mental health issues and has recently started providing similar services to persons with physical disabilities, including SCI. Past research has shown that vocational rehabilitation is effective in helping some Veterans with spinal cord injury (SCI) gain employment. The extension of this work through PrOMOTE study will establish a large national database of over 2000 Veterans with SCI, containing extensive employment, medical, functional and psychosocial data. The study will analyze both quantitative and qualitative measures to maximize its findings.

This study is designed to assess the safety of autologous bone marrow derived cell transplant in chronic spinal cord injury patients. The hypothesis is that the availability of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells at the sites of injury promote neuronal regeneration.

This is a phase IV, double-blind, multicenter, randomized trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of two M3 receptors antagonists (Trospium Chloride and Darifenacin Hydrobromide) with one standard drug (Oxybutynin Chloride) for treatment of overactive bladder in individuals with spinal cord injury.

While research in animal models of spinal cord injury have provided many promising insights, human studies have failed to produce effective therapies. We propose to investigate the drug Minocycline (a metalloproteinase inhibitor) for the treatment of spinal cord injured patients aiming to limit neurological injury and improve neurological outcome. This drug influences several secondary injury mechanisms implicated in spinal cord injury and has been effective in improving outcome after spinal cord injury in animal models. We also propose to examine the safety and feasibility of spinal cord perfusion pressure augmentation with a protocol of IV fluids and inotrope medications versus standard maintenance of mean arterial pressure in subjects who exhibit a decrease in perfusion pressure to less than 75 mmHg. The purpose of this pilot study is 1) to evaluate the feasibility of a clinical trial protocol for Minocycline in patients with acute spinal cord injury, and 2) to ensure adequate drug dosing and metabolic effect. After undergoing a process of informed consent, patients agreeing to participate in the study will be randomized to placebo or treatment groups in a double-blind fashion. Clinical neurological examinations, patient-reported quality of life, and functional independence categorization will be combined with serum and cerebrospinal fluid laboratory investigations to establish some of the pharmacological properties and the safety profile of this medication in this group of patients. In addition, patient tolerance to the dosing regimen will be assessed. The results of this study will provide the preliminary data necessary to plan for a larger prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial to assess efficacy and to further assess safety.

The purpose of the present study is to assess the utility of abdominal muscle stimulation to provide large positive airway pressures and expiratory airflow thus simulating cough. Restoration of cough in spinal cord injured patients may reduce the incidence of respiratory complications such as atelectasis, respiratory tract infections and respiratory failure.

The research proposed here will determine the effect of a novel treadmill gait training strategy using a robotic gait trainer (the Lokomat) on functional ambulation in people with SCI. The effect of the new therapy will be evaluated by analyzing changes in functional ambulation and gait patterns during walking.