Reduce bias in predicting brain recovery after cardiac arrest
Addressing an Inherent Bias in Neuroprognostication: A Collaboration Between the US and Brazil to Reduce the Impact of Self-Fulfilling Prophecy in Cardiac ARrEst (SPARE)
This project aims to make brain-recovery predictions more accurate for people who survive cardiac arrest by comparing outcomes between the United States and Brazil.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11468065 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you or a loved one survive cardiac arrest and have suspected brain injury, researchers will follow patients treated at partner hospitals in the US and Brazil to track recovery over time. Because decisions to stop life-sustaining treatment tend to happen earlier in the US than in Brazil, the team can observe longer courses of recovery in Brazil and compare real outcomes without that early bias. The study uses neurologic exams, brain imaging, blood-based biochemical markers, and electrophysiology (EEG) to find which measurements truly predict poor or good recovery. Results will be used to improve how doctors discuss prognosis and make goals-of-care decisions with families.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who have had a cardiac arrest with suspected hypoxic-ischemic brain injury and are receiving care in an intensive care unit at a collaborating hospital would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without recent cardiac arrest, those not hospitalized, or patients with clearly irreversible brain death are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reduce premature withdrawal of life support and help families and clinicians make clearer decisions about long-term recovery.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has identified exams, imaging, and biomarkers linked to outcome but was limited by self-fulfilling bias from early withdrawal of life support, and using international differences to address that bias is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston Medical Center — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Greer, David Matthew — Boston Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Greer, David Matthew
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.