Clinical Trials and Laboratory Research

Since it is the basis for modern approaches to the treatment of stroke, research is an important component of the Program's activities. Current projects include:

• Clinical trials of novel treatments against ischemic brain injury
  • CLEAR III
    An NIH funded trial of intraventricular administration of t-PA in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) with extension of blood into the ventricular system. Enrollment is limited to patients 18-75 years of age who present within 48 hours of the onset of ICH.
  • MISTIE: Minimally Invasive (Stereotactic) Surgery + rt-PA for ICH Extraction
    An NIH- sponsored phase II trial of stereotactic removal of blood clot in patients who have suffered an intracerebral hemorrhage.
  • PRoS: Prevent Return of Stroke in Minority Populations
    An NIH - sponsored trial of peer-led support groups in improving use of proven therapies to prevent recurrent stroke. Subject must be at least 40 years of age and have suffered a stroke or TIA within the past 5 years and be able to interact in a group setting after. This trial will continue to recruit until 2012.
  • WARCEF: Warfarin Aspirin for Reduced Cardiac Ejection Fraction
    This study is addressing the question of whether warfarin or aspirin is better for the prevention of stroke in patients with a reduced cardiac ejection fraction (reduced cardiac output). Patients with a recent TIA or stroke and impaired cardiac contractility were eligible. The study has completed recruitment and is completing follow-up.
  • POINT: Platelet-Oriented Inhibition in New TIA and minor ischemic stroke Trial. This is an NIH-funded trial comparing the effectiveness of clopidogrel plus aspirin to aspirin alone in the prevention of stroke in patients who have just suffered a TIA or minor stroke (in the past 12 hours).
• NIH-funded studies of new treatments for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
• Development of stereotaxic methods to treat intracerebral and intraventricular hemorrhage and new methods to augment cerebral blood flow in patients with cerebrovascular disorders.
• Studies of oxidative stress and excitotoxicity in the pathogenesis of stroke.
• Development of a computerized medical record and problem-solving system for acute stroke.