Observing brain blood flow changes in neurosurgical patients

Longitudinal Investigation of Brain Blood Flow Changes in Neurosurgical Patients

This study looks at how blood flow in the brain changes over time in neurosurgery patients compared to those who don’t have surgery and healthy people, to see if these changes can help us understand brain health better.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 400 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Zurich (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Zurich)
• Trial ID: NCT04668261 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to longitudinally observe changes in brain blood flow among neurosurgical patients, comparing those who undergo surgical interventions with those receiving conservative treatment, as well as a healthy cohort. It will evaluate the relationship between hemodynamic patterns and structural brain tissue changes over time. The study seeks to identify novel imaging biomarkers that could enhance understanding of brain blood flow dynamics in relation to neurosurgical conditions.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults over 18 with neurosurgical diseases such as cerebrovascular disease, brain tumors, or normal pressure hydrocephalus.

Not a fit: Patients with respiratory or cardiac limitations that prevent participation in breathing maneuvers may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved diagnostic and treatment strategies for patients with brain blood flow impairments.

How similar studies have performed: While this approach is observational, similar studies have shown promise in understanding brain hemodynamics, suggesting potential for success.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

Patients:

* Male and Female subjects \>18 years of age
* Written informed consent after participants' information. Foreign speaking patients should be accompanied by a person with sufficient German language proficiency to act as a translator
* Neurosurgical diseases with the potential to alter blood flow to the brain:

  * Cerebrovascular disease
  * Brain tumors
  * Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Healthy subjects:

* Male and Female subjects \>18 years of age
* Written Informed Consent by the participant after information about the project. Foreign speaking healthy subjects should be accompanied by a person with sufficient German language proficiency to act as a translator

Exclusion criteria:

Patients:

* Unwilling or unable to co-operate with breathing maneuvers
* Respiratory or cardiac limitations to breathing through a mask
* Medical contra-indications to limited hypercapnia (high CO2 - 50 mmHg) or hypocapnia (low CO2 - 30 mmHg) (i.e., known increased intracerebral pressure, metabolic acidosis or alkalosis)
* Standard contraindications for MRI scanning
* Verbal confirmed pregnancy
* Known multiple intracranial diseases
* Presence of intracranial hemorrhage within the last 3 months
* Symptomatic increased intracranial pressure

Healthy subjects:

* Unwilling or unable to co-operate with breathing maneuvers
* Respiratory or cardiac limitations to breathing through a mask
* Medical contra-indications to limited hypercapnia (high CO2 - 50 mmHg) or hypocapnia (low CO2 - 30 mmHg) (i.e., known increased intracerebral pressure, metabolic acidosis or alkalosis)
* Standard contraindications for MRI scanning
* Verbal confirmed pregnancy
* Anamnesticly a history of neurological disease or current neurological deficits.

Where this trial is running

Zurich

• University Hospital Zurich — Zurich, Switzerland (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Jorn Fierstra, MD, PhD

Conditions Brain Blood Flow Impairment