Understanding silent strokes and their risk factors

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational registry aims to investigate covert brain infarctions (CBI) by conducting a comprehensive workup similar to that for manifest ischemic strokes. Patients with CBI will undergo a standardized assessment that includes cerebral MRI, long-term ECG monitoring, echocardiography, and evaluation of vascular risk factors. The goal is to identify modifiable risk factors that could lead to better management and prevention of future strokes. By analyzing the data from 230 patients, the study seeks to provide insights into the prevalence and significance of these silent strokes.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Any clinically silent ischemic lesions of the brain parenchyma detected on neuroimaging defined according to established criteria as either:

  * DWI positive lesions: Focus of restricted diffusion (high DWI signal and low ADC value) occurring in either white or gray matter, located in the cerebrum, cerebellum, or brain stem AND not satisfying the diagnostic criteria for MS OR
  * Cavitatory Lesions: ≥ 3 mm in size that follow CSF on all sequences that are slit or wedge shaped with an irregular margin AND NOT longitudinally aligned with perforating vessels or with a multiple, bilateral symmetrical distribution OR
  * T2W hyperintense/T1W hypointense lesions: Focal lesion with high T2W signal and low T1W signal that have prior evidence of restricted diffusion; OR present within cortical gray matter or deep gray matter nuclei OR a lesion that is new, compared with an MRI performed within 3 months OR T2W hyper/T1W hypointense lesions in the white matter, which are discontinuous but associated with the classic confluent periventricular T2 intense change of leukoaraiosis (Fazekas ≥2) AND NOT satisfying the diagnostic criteria for MS or with a significant patient history of severe trauma, radiation, drug toxicity, or carbon monoxide poisoning
* Informed Consent as documented by signature by patient or legally authorized representative

Exclusion Criteria:

* Projected life expectancy of less than 2 years,
* Contraindication to MRI,
* Patients with a history of symptoms compatible with an AIS/TIA attributable to the lesion observed, covert neurological deficits are allowed,
* Patient is already included in another clinical trial that will affect the objectives of this study,
* Patient's lack of accountability, inability to appreciate the nature, meaning and consequences of the study and to formulate his/her own wishes correspondingly,
* Women who are pregnant or breast feeding or intention to become pregnant during the course of the study,
* Inability to follow the procedures of the study, e.g. due to language problems, psychological disorders, dementia, etc. of the participant,
* Contraindications to any of the routine procedures, e.g. inability to obtain neurovascular ultrasound examination,
* Known or suspected non-compliance, drug or alcohol abuse

Where it's running

• Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours
  Tours, France Recruiting
• Inselspital Bern
  Bern, Switzerland Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Urs Fischer, Prof. Dr. med. — Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern
• Study coordinator: Urs Fischer, Prof. Dr. med.
• Email: urs.fischer@insel.ch
• Phone: +41 31 63 2 33 79

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Monitoring Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Silent Brain Lesions

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  Recruiting at 6 sites Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern · Graz and 7 other locations · NCT04449523

• Biomarkers That Signal Silent Strokes in High-Risk Cardiac Procedures

  This study tests whether blood biomarkers NSE and NFLs can predict silent brain injuries and later cognitive problems in adults having high-risk transcatheter heart procedures.

  Recruiting Aristotle University Of Thessaloniki · Thessaloniki · NCT07844850

• NeuroFirst brain protection for adults having heart bypass surgery

  This trial tests whether a bundled anesthesia approach called NeuroFirst can help people aged 60 and older having planned heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass avoid silent brain infarcts and thinking or memory problems after surgery.

  Recruiting at 5 sites Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Fuwai Hospital · Beijing, Beijing Municipality and 4 other locations · NCT07048002

• Blood thinners and cholesterol medicines to prevent future brain events in people with hidden (covert) brain infarcts

  This trial will see if taking a blood thinner and/or a cholesterol‑lowering medicine lowers the chance of future stroke or dementia in people 50 and older who have MRI-detected covert brain infarcts but no prior stroke symptoms.

  Recruiting Phase 3 Aarhus University Hospital · Aalborg and 13 other locations · NCT07012629

• Diagnosing neurocognitive complications during surgery using EEG

  This study is testing if using EEG during surgery can help doctors spot early signs of cognitive problems, like delirium, in adults having non-cardiac surgeries.

  Recruiting Federal Research and Clinical Centre of Intensive Care Medicine and Rehabilitology · Moscow, Moscow Oblast · NCT06545786

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.