Stroke Research
How to Participate in Research
Patients interested in participating in stroke research studies can call our Neurology Clinical Research Coordinator, Diane Brown, R.N. at 615-936-0062.
To contact the Neurosurgery Clinical Research Coordinator, dial (615) 835-9714 to page Valerie Sullenger, RN.
Patients who want to schedule non-study related appointments should call 615-936-0060. Upon referral, patients will be asked to fax their records to 615-936-1286.
Research on Acute Stroke Treatments
The treatment of acute stroke is a recent, rapidly evolving area of research that has already delivered succesful results. However, more needs to be done to further improve outcomes for patients. The Vanderbilt Stroke Center has been actively involved in research since 1992, and are currently managing the following acute stroke trials:
ALIAS: Albumin in Acute Stroke. Aims to find out if high dose intravenous albumin therapy protects the brain in acute ischemic stroke.
SENTIS Trial: We are currently screening and enrolling in an acute ischemic stroke interventional study called SENTIS. Subjects may be treated as a part of the study up to 10 hours from time of symptom onset. Study treatment involves controlled aortic obstruction, which is designed to increase cerebral perfusion without significantly elevating blood pressure.
SAH Acetaminophen Trial: Inhibition of lipid peroxidation and cerebral vasospasm by an acetaminophen-based regimen in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. We are currently screening and enrolling in this trial. This study is to determine the clinical pharmacology of ApAP as an inhibitor of lipid peroxidation in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), utlilizing F2 isoprostanes (F2IsoPs) and F4-neuroprostanes (F4NPs) as biomarkers for lipid peroxidation.
SCION Trial: A STUDY OF CARE INTENSITY AND OUTCOMES OF NEUROFLO®. This study is being conduced in conjunction with the SENTIS trial in order to demonstrate the economic value of the technology to private payers, CMS, and hospital purchasers.
CREATE PAS: Carotid Revascularization with ev3 Arterial Technology Evolution Post Approval Study. The primary objective of the Carotid Revascularization with ev3 Arterial Technology Evolution Post Approval Study (CREATE PAS) is to confirm the safety and effectiveness of the PROTÉGÉ® GPS™ and PROTÉGÉ® RX Carotid Stent Systems and SpiderFXTM Embolic Protection Device and all successfully cleared SpideRX® Embolic Protection Devices in the treatment of common and/or internal carotid artery stenoses for subjects with a high risk for complications during carotid endarterectomy.
Research in Stroke Prevention
The prevention of stroke has been another success story. Primary stroke prevention with exercise, diet, smoking cessation and treatment of hypertension is important in all patients. Medical treatments to prevent stroke include combination anti-hypertensive medications, cholesterol management, carotid surgery, anticoagulation with warfarin for patients with cardiac sources of emboli to the brain, and antiplatelet therapy for patients with TIA or minor stroke.
The Vanderbilt Stroke Center is involved in several studies of agents to prevent a stroke in patients who have suffered a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke:
SPS3: Aims at finding out efficacious therapies for prevention of another stroke(s) and cognitive decline in patients who have had symptomatic small stroke(s).
SWISS: Is tryting to figure out if there are genes in chromosomes that are associated with stroke.
Other Areas of Stroke Research
There are several basic science (done in the laboratory, for example on cells or molecules) research projects ran and/or coordinated by Dr. McLaughlin, many sponsored by the NIH or the department of Defense, among them:
- Cellular Mechanisms of Preconditioning Neuroprotection: The goal of this translational research program is to develop an in-depth understanding of the events that protect neurons from stroke in order to improve neuroprotective therapies.
Also, with our Neurointerventional team, the Vanderbilt Stroke Center is involved in the application of angioplasty and stent placement in patients with TIA and stroke secondary to arterial stenosis in the carotid or vertebrobasilar vessels, especially those in which standard surgical techniques are not applicable.