Active clinical trials for "Brain Injuries, Traumatic"

The overall purpose of this research study is to investigate the safety of pharmacological therapies that may potentially improve pediatric outcomes after traumatic brain injury. Traumatic brain injuries are the leading cause of death and disability among children and young adults. Hypothesis: Combinational therapy with a membrane transporter and antioxidant are safe after TBI and can overcome barriers to the brain and synergistically improve bioavailability and efficacy the antioxidant content of the body and CNS after TBI.

The investigators intend to determine the effect of adrenergic blockade on 1) short-term physiology, behavior, and cognition and 2) long-term neuropsychological outcomes after severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The primary hypothesis is that adrenergic blockade after severe TBI will be associated with increased ventilator-free days.

Traumatic brained injured (TBI) patients frequently suffered from glucocorticoid insufficiency that is associated with a raise in the rate of pneumonia. In a placebo-controlled, multi-center, double-blinded trial, treatment of glucocorticoid insufficiency (hydrocortisone associated with fludrocortisone) will be assessed for prevention of post trauma pneumonia in a population of severe TBI patients.

The purpose of this study is to find out if strict rest for 5 days helps children get better after concussion.

Mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) is common among veterans who have served in OEF/OIF (Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan/Operation Iraqi Freedom) and other theatres. Delayed symptoms may occur following TBI, including cognitive symptoms (impaired attention, processing speed, executive functioning), as well as behavioral symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and irritability (Fann et al. 2004; Holsinger et al. 2002). Neuroactive steroids have neuroprotective effects in rodent models of TBI (Djebaili et al. 2005; Djebaili et al. 2004; He et al. 2004; Pettus et al. 2005; Roof et al. 1997) and the neuroactive steroid pregnenolone and its sulfated derivative also markedly enhance learning and memory in rats (Akwa et al. 2001; Flood et al. 1992; Flood et al. 1995; Vallee et al. 1997; Vallee et al. 2003). In humans, reductions in pregnenolone (George et al. 1994) and its GABAergic metabolite allopregnanolone (Uzunova et al. 1998) have been associated with depressive symptoms. Pharmacological intervention with the neuroactive steroid pregnenolone could therefore result in a multi-targeted treatment approach, potentially improving cognitive deficits as well as anxiety and depression symptoms following TBI.

The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of an intensive short term cognitive rehabilitation program aimed towards improving executive functioning in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The purpose of this study is to determine if amantadine hydrochloride given 100 mg in the morning and at noon is safe and effective in the treatment of mood and behavior changes (i.e. irritability) after sustaining traumatic brain injury.

The primary goal of this project is to demonstrate the feasibility and clinical benefits of a new rapid treatment for secondary treatment for secondary brain injury called Discrete Cerebral Hypothermia System by CoolSystems, Inc., Berkley, CA. This device induced hypothermia in the adult brain without significant whole body hypothermia. Discrete Cerebral Hypothermia System holds a great potential for protecting the brain from the devastating secondary complications of trauma without the associated deleterious system effects.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Due to improvements in emergency medical care, transportation and specialized trauma facilities, the number of people surviving TBI with impairment has significantly increased in recent years. The long term cognitive sequelae, which are often not visible persist far beyond the resolution of the obvious physical disabilities. This combined with the relatively low awareness of the general public has designated TBI as the "silent epidemic" (TBI CDC 2006). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been suggested as a possible treatment modality for these cases and preliminary studies are promising. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of HBOT in the treatment of chronic mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI). Sequential SPECT scans of the brain and neurocognitive testing will be used to evaluate cerebral blood flow (CBF) response, cognitive and functional improvement following treatment.

Atomoxetine is the only medication that is currently approved by the FDA for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults. It has gained recent interest as an alternative medication for treating attentional problems related to traumatic brain injury (TBI), but it's effectiveness in this population has not been studied. There are a number of advantages of Atomoxetine over traditional neuro-stimulant medications currently used for attentional disorders after traumatic brain injury. This study will use a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover design to investigate the efficacy of atomoxetine to improve attention, behavioral function, and depression in adults with TBI