Search Results
UTSW NORC Pilot Spinal Cord Injury Dietary Program
The goal of this observational study is to learn about the effects of a 9-week dietician-guided program modified from the National Diabetic Prevention Program (modified DPP-diet) in people with spinal cord injury on body composition and insulin sensitivity. The main question it aims to answer is: Does 9 week modified DPP-diet reduce body fat percentage and insulin resistance? Participants will: Have 9 weeks of Telehealth visit with dietician certified in providing DPP. Visit the laboratory before, immediately and 9 weeks after completion of the modified DPP-diet. Share with the researcher on the perceived benefit and obstacles in implementing the modified DPP-diet as part of their daily activities.
Call 214-648-5005
studyfinder@utsouthwestern.edu, Yi-Ting.Tzen@UTSouthwestern.edu
Effect of the Stellate Ganglion Block on the Retinal Microcirculation
Surges in the sympathetic nervous system occur at the ictus of a variety of neurological critical illnesses including intracranial hemorrhage and ischemic stroke. It is hypothesized that these exaggerated increases in sympathetic nervous activity produce maladaptations that promote secondary brain injury. One of these possible mechanisms include diffuse vasospasm that cause cerebral ischemia. Hence, methods to abrogate the sympathetic nervous system in this context are under active investigation. One possible method is the regional anesthesia technique of the stellate ganglion nerve block, which is ordinarily used for complex regional pain syndrome, but has been shown to reduce cerebral sympathetic activity and reduces vasospasm in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. However, its effect on the microcirculation is not clear. Hence, we propose to study patients receiving the stellate ganglion nerve block as part of their standard medical care and to image their retinal microcirculation before and after the procedure using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA).
Call 214-648-5005
studyfinder@utsouthwestern.edu, Emily.Melikman@UTSouthwestern.edu
Transcutaneous Auricular Neurostimulation for ICU Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury (tAN-TBI)
The overarching goal of this pilot study is to assess the feasibility and safety of transcutaneous auricular neurostimulation (tan) in ICU patients with TBi and to determine the effect of tan on serum markers of inflammation. exploratory analyses will examine effects on such physiological parameters as blood pressure, heart rate, and intracranial pressure (iCP), as well as measures of neurological function.
Call 214-648-5005
studyfinder@utsouthwestern.edu, Bolutyfe.Oderinde@UTSouthwestern.edu
• Post-resuscitation GCS score 12 or below and acute trauma-related intradural blood on head CT scan after TB
• Age 18 years or older (pediatric trauma patients are not routinely transported to Parkland)
• Consent from legally authorized representative
• Hemodynamic instability
• Expected imminent mortality because of overwhelming neurological and/or systemic injury
• Unclear neurological status because of paralytic medications or intoxication with ethanol or other drugs
• Presence of other electrical stimulation devices (pacemaker, cochlear prosthesis, neurostimulator, etc.)
• Abnormal ear anatomy or ear infection
• Participant is pregnant or lactating
• Any other significant medical or psychosocial problems that, in the opinion of the investigator, would potentially cause harm to the participant, impact their ability to participate, or influence the results of the trial
MindEx: A Novel, Multifocal, Cognitive Brain-Machine Interface System
This research study is being done to develop a novel brain-computer interface (BCI) technology that can enable severely paralyzed individuals to interact with the world through direct brain-control of a computer. This technology is named MindEx (for Mind Extender). It utilizes four implanted "chips" in the human brain from which investigators can record brain activity during subjects' thoughts and decode meaningful information from this activity to be used as control signals for a computer, a laptop, or a tablet. The use of four brain regions is a significant differentiating feature and scientific innovation of this study over much prior work in this space, that typically derived control signals from one, or sometimes two brain regions. The brain regions to be used here can allow the decode of multiple variables simultaneously, including not just moment-to-moment position, but also high-level goals, intentions, decisions, scene comprehension, and error-related signals involved in natural human behavior. The research is being done through a prospective, longitudinal, single-arm early feasibility study to examine the safety and effectiveness of using MindEx to provide the user an intuitive, efficient, and accurate ability to control multiple applications on a computer interface such as a word processor, a paint application, or to play simple video games. Such versatility could greatly improve the autonomy and quality of life of severely paralyzed individuals. Two subjects will be enrolled, each implanted with MindEx for a period of at least 53 weeks and up to 313 weeks. The study is expected to take at least one year and up to six years in total.
Call 214-648-5005
studyfinder@utsouthwestern.edu, Aniah.Daniels@UTSouthwestern.edu
Pathways Relating Amnestic MCI to a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury History (PATH)
This study will probe if the biological changes in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) are related to a history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) using high definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) and blood-derived biomarker tools. Participants who Do as well as those who Do Not have a history of mTBI will be enrolled in the study.
Call 214-648-5005
studyfinder@utsouthwestern.edu, Hannah.Cabrera@UTSouthwestern.edu
• Active diagnosis of amnestic mild cognitive impairment
• Presence of an mTBI history for the mTBI+ group; absence of an mTBI history for a control sample
• Female and male subjects
• All races/ethnicities
• Age 55 years and older
• Fluent in English
• Mild traumatic brain injury within past year
• Lifetime history of moderate or severe brain injury
• Lifetime major neurologic syndromes (e.g., stroke, epilepsy, brain tumor)
• Lifetime major cardiovascular conditions (e.g., heart attack, heart failure)
• Current substance use disorder
• Current major psychiatric disorders (e.g., major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder)
• Current vision or hearing impairment that interferes with testing
• Any electronic and or metallic implants in the skull or brain
• Current medication use known to alter HD-tDCS reactivity
A Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of IPN10200 in Adult Participants With Upper Limb Spasticity. (LANTIMA)
The purpose of the study is to assess the safety and efficacy of increasing doses of IPN10200 with the aim to evaluate the Pharmacodynamics (PD) profile of IPN10200 and to establish the total IPN10200 doses(s) that offer the best efficacy/safety profile when used for the treatment of Adult upper limb (AUL) spasticity.
Call 214-648-5005
studyfinder@utsouthwestern.edu, Victoria.Castillo@UTSouthwestern.edu
• Participant must be 18 to 70 years of age inclusive (except for dose escalation must be 18 to 65 years of age) at the time of signing the informed consent.
• Has spastic hemiparesis following stroke or Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Is at least 6 months post-stroke or TBI
• Has never received BoNT or if previously treated, should have received their last injection of any commercialized BoNT-A or B at least 4 months prior to study Baseline
• Has a MAS score ≥2 in the (PTMG) to be injected
• Is eligible to receive a total recommended dose 1000 U Dysport in the upper limb when applicable.
• Has angle of spasticity ≥5° in the PTMG to be injected.
• Does not have any fixed contractures as defined by: * Complete fingers extension with Angle of arrest at slow speed (Tardieu Scale) (XV1) ≥160° * Complete wrist extension with XV1 ≥90° * Complete elbow extension with XV1 ≥160°
• Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, splinting, use of benzodiazepine, and muscle relaxants had to be stable from at least 30 days preceding the study Baseline up to the Month 3 visit, and whenever possible until the end of the study.
• In good health (i.e. absence of any uncontrolled systemic disease or other significant medical condition) as determined by medical history, physical and neurological examinations, clinical laboratory studies, electrocardiograms (ECGs), vital signs, and Investigator's judgment prior to randomization
• Male and female participants Contraceptive use by men or women should be consistent with local regulations regarding the methods of contraception for those participating in clinical studies. Male participants must agree that, if their partner is at risk of becoming pregnant, they will use an effective method of contraception. The participants must agree to use the contraception during the whole period of the study. A female participant is eligible to participate if she is not pregnant or breastfeeding, and one of the following conditions applies: Is a woman of non-childbearing potential (WONCBP) or is a woman of childbearing potential (WOCBP) and using an acceptable contraceptive method (until the end of the study). The investigator should evaluate the potential for contraceptive method failure in relationship to the first dose of study intervention. A WOCBP must have a negative highly sensitive pregnancy test.
• Any medical condition (including severe dysphagia or airway disease) that may increase, in the opinion of the investigator, the likelihood of adverse events (AEs) related to BoNT treatment.
• Known disease of the neuromuscular junction (e.g. Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, myasthenia gravis or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis etc.).
• Has a history of hypersensitivity to the investigational medicinal products (or other BoNTs) or any excipient used in their formulation.
• Clinically diagnosed significant anxiety disorder, or any other significant psychiatric disorder (e.g. depression) that might interfere with the participant's participation in the study.
• Likely treatment with any serotype of BoNT for any condition during the study.
• Undergone previous surgery to treat spasticity in the affected upper limb.
• Has initiated physiotherapy within 30 days prior to Baseline (if physiotherapy initiated more than 30 days prior to Baseline and ongoing, the therapy regimen should be maintained at the same frequency and intensity throughout the study if possible or at least up to 3-months post-injection).
• Has received previous treatment with phenol and or alcohol in the targeted upper limb any time before the study.
• Has been treated or is likely to be treated with intrathecal baclofen during the 30 days prior to study Baseline or during the course of the study.
• Current or planned treatment with any medications that interfere either directly or indirectly with neuromuscular transmission, such as curare-like non depolarising agents, lincosamides, polymyxins, anticholinesterases and aminoglycoside antibiotics, within 30 days prior to Baseline.
• Use of concomitant therapy which, in the investigator's opinion, would interfere with the evaluation of the safety or efficacy of the study intervention, including medications affecting bleeding disorders. For patients taking vitamin K antagonists, the INR values should be controlled (between 2 and 3)
• Currently planned or a history of tendon lengthening surgery, significant contracture or muscle atrophy at target joint or muscle in the past 6 months prior to Screening.
• Use of any experimental device within 30 days or use of any treatment with an experimental drug within five times the documented terminal half-life of the respective drug or its metabolites or if the half-life is unknown within 30 days prior to the start of the study (prior to Baseline) and during the conduct of the study.
• Presence of any other condition (e.g. neuromuscular disorder, muscular dystrophies, cancer cachexia, sarcopenia or other disorder that could interfere with neuromuscular function), laboratory finding or circumstance that, in the judgment of the investigator, might increase the risk to the participant or decrease the chance of obtaining satisfactory data to achieve the objectives of the study.
• Pregnant or lactating women, or women of childbearing potential not willing to practice a highly effective form of contraception method at the beginning of the study, for the duration of the study and for the duration of the study
• Inability to understand protocol procedures and requirements
• Infection at the injection site(s)
• A history of drug or alcohol abuse
• Male participants who are not vasectomised and who have female partners of childbearing potential and are not willing to use condoms with spermicide throughout study participation.
Safeguarding the Brain of Our Smallest Infants Phase III (SafeBoosC)
the SafeBoosC-III trial investigates the benefit and harms of treatment based on near-infrared spectroscopy monitoring compared with treatment as usual. The hypothesis is that treatment based on near-infrared spectroscopy monitoring for extremely preterm infants during the first 72 hours of life will result in a reduction in severe brain injury or death at 36 weeks postmenstrual age.
Call 214-648-5005
studyfinder@utsouthwestern.edu, Monica.MadridOrnelas@UTSouthwestern.edu
• Infants born with postmenstrual age less than 28 weeks
• Signed informed consent, unless the NICU has chosen to use 'opt-out' or deferred consent as consent method.
• Missing written parental informed consent (if the 'opt-out' method is used for consent, lack of a record that the clinical staff have explained the trial and the 'opt-out' consent process to parents and/or a record in the infant's clinical file of parents' decision to opt-out, are exclusion criteria)
• Decision not to conduct full life support
• No possibility to place cerebral NIRS oximeter within six hours after birth
Brain Networks and Consciousness
General anesthesia (GA) is a medically induced state of unresponsiveness and unconsciousness, which millions of people experience every year. Despite its ubiquity, a clear and consistent picture of the brain circuits mediating consciousness and responsiveness has not emerged. Studies to date are limited by lack of direct recordings in human brain during medically induced anesthesia. Our overall hypothesis is that the current model of consciousness, originally proposed to model disorders and recovery of consciousness after brain injury, can be generalized to understand mechanisms of consciousness more broadly. This will be studied through three specific aims. The first is to evaluate the difference in anesthesia sensitivity in patients with and without underlying basal ganglia pathology. Second is to correlate changes in brain circuitry with induction and emergence from anesthesia. The third aim is to evaluate the effects of targeted deep brain stimulation on anesthesia induced loss and recovery of consciousness. This study focuses on experimentally studying these related brain circuits by taking advantage of pathological differences in movement disorder patient populations undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. DBS is a neurosurgical procedure that is used as treatment for movement disorders, such as Parkinson's disease and essential tremor, and provides a mechanism to acquire brain activity recordings in subcortical structures. This study will provide important insight by using human data to shed light on the generalizability of the current model of consciousness. The subject's surgery for DBS will be prolonged by up to 40 minutes in order to record the participant's brain activity and their responses to verbal and auditory stimuli.
Call 214-648-5005
studyfinder@utsouthwestern.edu, Sahil.Chilukuri@UTSouthwestern.edu
• Willingness and ability to cooperate during conscious operative procedure for up to 40 minutes
• Clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease or essential tremor
• Preoperative MRI without evidence of cortical or subdural adhesions or vascular abnormalities
• Patients with recent use (within one week) of anticoagulant or antiplatelet agent use
• Neurocognitive testing indicating amnestic cognitive deficits
• History of intolerance of propofol or medical indications to use an anesthetic other than propofol