Clinical Trials

brain tumors
stroke
spine
parkinson's
pain

completed trials

For information about our studies contact
Suzanne Kempisty, RN
Director of Clinical Trials
University of Cincinnati
Department of Neurosurgery

 

For patients:
Understanding clinical trials

Brain Tumor Trials

Acoustic Neuromas: Subtotal Resection & Radiosurgery
The purpose of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of subtotal removal followed by radiosurgery compared to complete removal for patients with large acoustic neuromas.

Principal investigator: Philip Theodosopoulos, MD

Gliadel Wafers & Permanent I-125 Seeds for Glioblastoma
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of combining chemotherapy wafers and radioactive seeds, placed directly into the tumor cavity, to treat glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tumors. more info

Principal investigator: Christopher McPherson, MD
Sponsor: The Neuroscience Institute

Comparison of Dura Sealants for Cranial Surgery
The purpose of this study is to compare a new FDA approved dura sealant to other methods or products for closing the dura and preventing CSF leaks after brain surgery.

Principal investigator: John Tew, MD
Sponsor: Confluent Surgical Inc.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Radiation Necrosis
The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of complementing steroid medication management with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in treating brain radiation necrosis. more infolink

Principal investigator: Laurie Gesell, MD
Study coordinator: Carla Vogt, RN

Dose-Intensive Temozolomide for Glioblastoma
The purpose of this study is to determine whether increasing temozolomide treatment after radiation from 5 days out of 28 days (standard-dose schedule) to 21 days out of 28 days (dose-dense schedule) will improve outcomes. more infolink

Principal investigator: Kevin Redmond, MD

hCRF for Control of Brain Edema in Malignant Tumors
The purpose of this study is to compare human Corticotrophin Releasing Factor (hCRF) to placebo for control of symptoms associated with peritumoral brain edema in patients with malignant brain tumor who require high doses of steroid (Dexamethasone). more infolink

Principal investigator: Kevin Redmond, MD

Temozolomide Chemoradiotherapy for Low-Grade Gliomas
The purpose of this study is to determine whether a drug called temozolomide combined with radiation will control the tumor longer than radiation alone or radiation combined with other chemotherapy drugs used in previous clinical trials. more infolink

Principal investigator: Kevin Redmond, MD

Stroke & Cerebrovascular Trials

Biomarkers for Subarachnoid Induced Cerebral Vasospasm
The purpose of this study is to identify traits of a condition or disease called biomarkers that will enable a physician to predict if and when a patient will experience cerebral vasospasm (narrowing of the vessels that supply blood and oxygen) in the brain after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Principal investigator: Mario Zuccarello, MD
Sponsor:

ICH Removal: Minimally Invasive Surgery + rt-PA (MISTIE)
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of rt-PA (a clot-busting drug) after a surgical procedure to remove a blood clot from the brain after an intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

Principal investigator: Mario Zuccarello, MD
Sponsor: National Institute of Health (NIH)

Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy vs. Stenting Trial (CREST)
The purpose of the CREST study is to compare the relatively new procedure of stent-assisted carotid angioplasty (CAS) to the traditional and accepted surgical approach of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for the treatment of carotid artery stenosis to prevent recurrent strokes in those patients who have had a TIA (transient ischemic attack) or a mild stroke. more infolink

Principal investigator: Andrew Ringer, MD
Sponsor: National Institute of Health (NIH)

Carotid Occlusion Surgery Study (COSS)
The purpose is to determine if Extracranial-Intracranial Bypass can reduce the chance of a subsequent stroke in someone who has complete blockage in one main artery and has already suffered a small stroke. more infolink

Principal investigator: Mario Zuccarello, MD
Sponsor: National Institute of Health (NIH)

Wingspan™ Stent for Blocked Brain Arteries
The purpose of this study is to monitor the effectiveness of the Wingspan Stent System to open arteries in the brain that have become blocked by a clot or narrowed by plaque.

Principal investigator: Andrew Ringer, MD

Neuroform™ Stent for Wide-neck Aneurysms
The purpose of this study is to monitor the effectiveness of the Neuroform Stent in treating wide-neck aneurysms in the brain.

Principal investigator: Andrew Ringer, MD

IVH Removal: Intraventricular rt-PA
This is a study to evaluate how recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is utilized in patients with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). more infolink

Principal investigator: Mario Zuccarello, MD
Sponsor: National Institute of Health (NIH)

Familial Intracranial Aneurysm (FIA) Study
The purpose of this study is to identify the genes that may be important in the development of intracranial aneurysms. more infolink

Principal investigator: Joseph Broderick, MD
Sponsor: National Institute of Health (NIH)

Spine Trials

Duragen Plus to Minimize Adhesions after Lumbar Discectomy
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of DuraGen Plus® as an adhesion barrier in spinal surgery to reduce the extent of scar tissue formation and pain in comparison to a control group receiving standard care.

Principal investigator: Raj Narayan, MD
Sponsor: Integra Lifesciences Corporation

Prevention of Disability after Spinal Cord Injury
The purpose of this study is to determine the most effective dose of the drug Cethrin® to prevent cell death after a spinal cord injury.

Principal investigator: Charles Kuntz, IV, MD
Sponsor: BioAxone Therapeutique, Inc.

New Spinal Sealant for Dura Repair
The purpose of this study is to compare a new spinal sealant to traditional methods for closing the dura and preventing CSF leaks after surgery.

Principal investigator: John Tew, MD
Sponsor: Confluent Surgical Inc.

Parkinson's Trials

Libra™ Deep Brain Stimulator for Parkinson's Disease
The purpose of this study is to determine whether the Libra™ deep brain stimulation (DBS) system can help reduce some of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease that are not adequately controlled with medication.

Principal investigator: George Mandybur, MD
Sponsor: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc. (ANS)

Pain Trials

Eon™ Spinal Cord Stimulator for Chronic Back & Leg Pain
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Eon spinal cord stimulator to manage chronic back and leg pain.

Principal investigator: George Mandybur, MD
Sponsor: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc. (ANS)

Traumatic Brain Injury Trials

Prevention of Seizures after Brain Injury
The purpose of this study is to compare the safety and effectiveness of two different medications, levetiracetam and phenytoin, as seizure prevention after traumatic brain injury or subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Principal investigator: Raj Narayan, MD
Sponsor: UCB, Inc.

Near-infrared Spectroscopy to Detect Bleeding in the Brain
The purpose of this trial is to gain information about an Infrascanner device. This device uses near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). NIRS is the measurement of the wavelength of the absorption of light and can be used to identify a compound and to investigate the composition of that compound. In this case, the compound is blood.  The investigators are working with InfraScan, Inc. to conduct an observational research trial to find out more about how sensitive the Infrascanner is at detecting a hemorrhage or bleeding in the brain in patients who have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Principal investigator: Raj Narayan, MD
Sponsor: InfraScan, Inc.

Closed trials in follow-up

  • Brain Stimulation for Arm/Hand Weakness After a Stroke
  • Assessment of Surgery for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy
  • Lumbar Stabilization using the AxiaLif system
  • Evaluation of the PathFinder™ System for Pedicle Screw Insertion
  • Evaluation of the CODA Expandable Fusion Cage
  • FlexiCore™ Artificial Disc for the Treatment of Discogenic Pain
  • ChillerStrip™ Hypothermia System for Aneurysm Surgery
  • Safety and Tolerability of DTI-015 in Patients with Recurrent GBM
  • Hemicraniectomy and Durotomy Upon Deterioration from Infarction Related Swelling (HeADDFIRST)
  • Evaluation of ForSite Device to Measure Pupillary Size
  • National Acute Brain Injury Study: Hypothermia II
  • Prevention of Vasospasm & New Infarction after Aneurysmal SAH Following Administration of Clazosentan
  • Evaluation of a Single IV Dose of Dexanabinol in Patients Suffering from Severe TBI
  • Procrit® (Epoetin Alfa) Administered Perioperatively Versus Standard of Care in Blood Conservation in Subjects Undergoing Major Elective Spinal Surgery
  • DuraSeal™ System as an Adjunct to Sutured Dural Repair During Cranial Surgery