Active clinical trials for "Stroke"

The primary objective is to explore the safety of low doses of oral levosimendan in patients with recent history of an ischaemic cerebrovascular event (stroke or TIA). The main focus will be on the evaluation of proarrhythmic potential of the different dose regimens.

This study is a pilot, randomized trial that will examine whether the Nintendo Wii virtual gaming system is safe and feasible for use in patients who have had a recent stroke.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the BrainPort balance device in improving balance in people with balance deficits due to stroke.

This study aims to investigate the use of lisinopril to lower blood pressure in stroke patients, pre-hospital, by research-trained paramedics.

We hope to understand the properties of the motor cortex in the brain of people with stroke using non-invasive magnetic stimulation.

The purpose of this study was to explore trends in safety and efficacy, and to find the optimal dose for the subsequent phase III trial. The decision to initiate the phase III trial will depend on both safety (incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage) and efficacy (reperfusion measured by MRI and correlating with clinical outcome) profiles. The safety (incidence of symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage) and efficacy (reperfusion measured by MRI and correlating with clinical outcome) profiles gained from this study were the basis of planning the phase III.

This study will determine the safety and efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in treating acute ischemic stroke (stroke resulting from a blood clot in the brain). TMS was found to be effective and safe in the set up of depression. TMS acts by generating magnetic fields in the brain which simulate neuro-chemical changes and stimulate neuronal activity translating into increased secretion of growth factors such as brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This is followed by positive effects of these growth and survival factors on neuronal sprouting, re-organization and also potentially on neurogenesis. Hence it is postulated that TMS will have a positive effect on the recovery rate and extent of recovery after stroke. Brainsway innovative project involves the development and use of deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in humans to treat a host of behavioral disorders, including depression and addiction. Brainsway developed a novel coil design for stimulation of deep structures in the human brain and conducted several safety and efficacy studies and recently completed a large study (70 subjects) demonstrating effectiveness in depressive patients. Deep TMS produces directed electromagnetic fields that can induce excitation or inhibition of neurons deep inside the brain. The treatment is non-invasive, with no significant side effects, and no need of hospitalization or anesthesia. Consistent with animal studies using brain stimulation deep TMS of the prefrontal cortex was found to exert potent antidepressant effects on patients not previously responsive to antidepressant drugs in two different studies. Therefore, it is expected that TMS will also be safe in patients with stroke. Patients between 18 and 80 years of age who have had a mild or moderate acute stroke may be eligible for this study. Candidates will be screened with a medical history and physical examination, blood tests, rating of neurological deficits such as cognition deficits or problems walking that resulted from the stroke, and a computed tomography (CT) or a magnetic resonance (MRI) scan of the head. CT involves the use of specialized X-rays and MRI involves a magnetic field to obtain images of the brain. All participants will receive standard medical and rehabilitation therapy for stroke. In addition, patients recruited for the study will receive x sessions of TMS with the Brainsway device delivered over the motor strip of the affected hemisphere. Each session will last for y minutes. Sessions will begin on day 3 after stroke onset and will be given on an alternate day basis for 14 days (7 treatments). Patients will be monitored daily until discharge from the hospital, or until day 17, whichever is earlier. Assessments will include physical examinations and safety evaluations including blood tests to and MRI or CT scans to evaluate both the response to treatment and side effects if needed. Patients will return for a follow-up examination 30 and 90 days after treatment conclusion to evaluate their recovery rate and functional status.

The purpose of this research study is to find out if bone marrow treatment (bone marrow aspiration and infusion of stem cells) can be safely used in adults who have recently (within 24-72 hours)suffered an acute ischemic stroke.

This study will compare several techniques designed to improve the ability to swallow in stroke patients with chronic dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). Healthy volunteers 20 to 60 years of age and people 20 to 90 years of age who have had a stroke resulting in swallowing problems may be eligible for this study. Volunteers are screened with a medical history, physical examination, and urine test for women to rule out pregnancy. Stroke patients are screened additionally with a chest x-ray, physical examination, cognitive screening, swallowing questionnaires, nasoendoscopy (examination of the nasal passages in the back of the throat using a lighted telescopic instrument) and FEESST (passage of a thin, flexible telescope through the nose to the voice box), videofluoroscopy (x-ray of the head and neck during swallowing) and button press training (learning how to press a button on a table in coordination with swallowing). All participants undergo the following procedures: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS): A metal coil is placed on the head and sends a pulse of energy to the brain through the scalp. The muscle response to the pulse is recorded from the muscles in the throat that are associated with swallowing. Electromyography: A needle is used to insert tiny wires in specific muscles of the throat to record the muscle response to the TMS pulses. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): During brain MRI scanning, subjects lie quietly and images of the brain are taken. In addition to the above tests, stroke patients undergo the following: Water test: The subject swallows a small amount of water and the number of times required to clear the throat or cough is counted. This test is repeated five times. Experimental training. Subjects have a total of 12 60-minute training sessions, one session a day for up to 5 sessions a week. Button press training: The subject swallows small amounts of water. A device placed on the throat senses when swallowing occurs. The subject learns how to coordinate pressing a button on a table in coordination with swallowing. Vibrotactile stimulator training: A device that uses a buzzing vibration is placed on the throat at times during the swallowing training. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS): Wires attached to sponge electrodes are placed on the scalp and over the eye. Small electric currents are delivered to areas of the brain involved with swallowing. This is done at times during the swallowing training. Participants may receive one of several combinations of training approaches; all receive the volitional (button-press) training. Within 5 days of completing training, subjects repeat the tests. TMS, MRI, MEG and x-ray study of swallowing function are also repeated to see if any changes have occurred in the brain or in the ability to swallow after training. Patients are contacted by telephone and in writing 3 and 6 months after training for follow-up on their swallowing status and oral intake.

Tolerability of a four weeks treatment with Aggrenox® modified release capsules b.i.d, compared to reduced dose during the first two weeks of treatment in a double-blind, randomized controlled parallel group comparison trial among Taiwanese patients with previous TIA's or ischemic stroke.To monitor frequency and intensity of headaches and other safety parameters among Taiwanese patients with previous TIA's or ischemic stroke given Aggrenox using a titration scheme or not