Investigating the Role of the Anterior Cingulate Cortex in Stroke Patients
Causal Evidence for Task Regulation by Anterior Cingulate Cortex
This study is testing how the part of the brain called the anterior cingulate cortex affects motivation and task performance in people who have had a stroke.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 200 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Ghent Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Gent) |
| Trial ID | NCT04650425 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial aims to explore the function of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in patients who have experienced a stroke affecting the frontal lobe. Participants will undergo cognitive tasks designed to assess the ACC's role in task regulation and motivation. The study will involve one or two sessions of cognitive experiments, including clinical neurological examinations and specific cognitive tasks. Patients will be recruited from both the Stroke unit and outpatient clinics, ensuring a comprehensive approach to understanding ACC dysfunction in stroke recovery.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are patients who have suffered an ischemic stroke or intracranial hemorrhage involving the frontal lobe.
Not a fit: Patients with transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), severe cognitive disorders, or those unable to provide informed consent may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance our understanding of ACC function, leading to improved rehabilitation strategies for stroke patients.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of this study is novel, previous research has indicated the importance of the ACC in various neurological conditions, suggesting potential for meaningful insights.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Stroke patients: ischemic stroke or intracranial hemorrhage * Involvement of the frontal lobe * Lesion is visible on CT and/or MRI and is concordant with clinical presentation during the time of onset * Patients have to be able to give informed consent themselves Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with a TIA, i.e. no visible lesion on CT and/or MRI or symptoms less than 24 hours * Patients with decreased alertness or disorders of consciousness, which makes it impossible for these patients to participate in the experiments * Active alcohol and/or drug abuse/addiction * Patients diagnosed with dementia or another neurodegenerative disease, or severe cognitive and/or psychiatric disorders that make it impossible for these patients to participate in the study * Patients with severe aphasia (as defined by NIHSS score) * A history of stroke in the frontal lobe is NOT an exclusion criteria (except when the patient has been diagnosed with poststroke frontal dysfunction).
Where this trial is running
Gent
- University Hospital, department of neurology — Gent, Belgium (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Veerle De Herdt — University Hospital Ghent, Department of Neurology
- Study coordinator: Veerle De Herdt
- Email: veerle.deherdt@uzgent.Be
- Phone: +3293326481
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.