MRI Connectomics for Stroke

TW
Overseen ByTamika Wong, MPH
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: Northwell Health
Must be taking: Thrombolytics
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to explore how strokes affect the brain's connections using advanced MRI scans. By mapping brain pathways, researchers hope to better predict recovery and guide rehabilitation for stroke patients. Individuals who have recently experienced a stroke affecting specific brain arteries and have motor difficulties might be suitable candidates. Participants will undergo multiple MRI scans to help create detailed images of their brain's network, focusing on connectomic alterations, or changes in brain connectivity. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research that could enhance stroke recovery strategies.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this method is safe for stroke patients?

Research has shown that using MRI to study brain connections in stroke patients is safe. This method employs imaging techniques that do not require surgery or entering the body. Studies have found that techniques like diffusion MRI are easy for patients to handle. No known serious side effects are linked to these imaging methods. So far, they appear to be a safe way to understand how strokes affect the brain, which can help guide future treatments.12345

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the MRI Connectomics for Stroke trial because it explores a new way to understand and possibly predict stroke recovery. Unlike traditional treatments that focus on immediate clot removal or blood flow restoration, this approach uses advanced MRI techniques to map the brain's functional and structural connections, known as connectomes. By doing so, it aims to provide deeper insights into how strokes affect brain networks over time. These insights could lead to more personalized rehabilitation strategies, potentially improving outcomes for stroke patients in the future.

What evidence suggests that this study's approach is effective for understanding stroke?

Research has shown that mapping brain connections, known as connectomics, can help predict stroke recovery. Studies have found that machine learning combined with brain connectivity analysis enhances understanding of recovery outcomes. This method may allow doctors to observe changes in brain pathways after a stroke, potentially guiding rehabilitation. Some studies suggest that connectomic models effectively predict long-term outcomes after a stroke. However, not all research agrees on its benefits, with some findings indicating limited impact on predicting stroke severity. Overall, connectomics offers a promising approach to understanding and supporting stroke recovery. Participants in this trial will undergo resting-state functional MRIs (rs-fMRI) and diffusion MRIs (dMRI) to generate functional and structural connectomes, which will be used to explore these potential benefits.26789

Who Is on the Research Team?

RD

Randy D'Amico, MD

Principal Investigator

Northwell Health Lenox Hill Hospital

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults over 18 who have had an acute ischemic stroke in the middle cerebral artery area, show movement problems after their stroke, received clot-busting treatment or a procedure to remove the blockage, and can safely undergo multiple MRI scans. Consent must be given by the patient or their representative.

Inclusion Criteria

I have weakness or trouble moving on my exam before and after treatment.
I am able to have multiple MRI scans at Lenox Hill Hospital.
I am older than 18 years.
See 3 more

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Participants undergo initial MRI scans and clinical assessments to establish baseline connectivity and motor function

1 week
1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants receive mechanical thrombectomy and/or intravenous thrombolytics, followed by MRI scans to assess connectomic changes

3 months
3 visits (in-person) at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for motor outcomes and connectomic changes, with assessments at 1 month and 3 months post-intervention

9 months
2 visits (in-person) at 6 months and 12 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • Connectomic Alterations

Trial Overview

Researchers are using advanced MRI brain scans and computer analysis to map how strokes affect brain connections. The study aims to better understand changes in brain networks after a stroke and may help guide future recovery treatments.

How Is the Trial Designed?

1

Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Primary Study GroupExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Northwell Health

Lead Sponsor

Trials
481
Recruited
470,000+

Omniscient Neurotechnology

Industry Sponsor

Trials
1
Recruited
10+

Citations

Connectomics underlying motor functional outcomes in ... - PMC

Our study highlights the potential of machine learning methods combined with connectivity analysis in predicting outcomes in neurorehabilitation.

Brain Connectivity Measures Improve Modeling of ...

The ability to model long-term functional outcomes after acute ischemic stroke represents a major clinical challenge.

The emergence of multiscale connectomics-based ...

We argue that multiscale connectomics-based approaches may provide new routes to better evaluate brain structural and functional remapping after stroke and ...

Connectomic insight into unique stroke patient recovery ...

We studied the medical data of 22 ischemic stroke patients who received MRI ... post-stroke outcomes and treatment responses (47–49). When ...

The emergence of multiscale connectomics-based ...

We argue that multiscale connectomics-based approaches may provide new routes to better evaluate brain structural and functional remapping after stroke and ...

Connectomic Alterations Following Acute Ischemic Stroke ...

This study seeks to use safe, powerful, non-invasive computing tools, including machine learning and advanced neuroimaging analysis, ...

Connectomic stroke lesion measures provide no benefit over ...

Sperber et al. report that indirectly estimated connectomic stroke imaging markers do not enhance the prediction of acute stroke severity ...

Normative connectome-based analysis of sensorimotor ...

This study introduces an innovative approach that not only considers the lesion size in relation to the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS score ...

HCP Young Adult - Connectome - Publications

We investigated the anatomical and functional organization of the human substantia nigra (SN) using diffusion and functional MRI data from the Human Connectome ...