HYDROCEPHALUS

This program gives children under 26 with brain conditions like cerebral palsy or stroke access to umbilical cord blood infusions. The cord blood is given through an IV and may help the brain repair itself. It is not a cure, but aims to improve symptoms and quality of life.

This study is testing a new adjustable valve system (Polaris® 24) for people with hydrocephalus, a condition where fluid builds up in the brain. The valve helps drain excess fluid to relieve pressure. Researchers will check how safe the device is and how well it works in 126 pati…

This study tests a small, wireless patch placed on the skin over a shunt tube to see if it can detect fluid flow without needles or X-rays. About 55 children and adults with hydrocephalus and working shunts will try the device. The goal is to see how well the patch tells the diff…

This study tests a new MRI technique to measure how cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flows in the brain. Researchers will compare 50 healthy volunteers and patients with conditions like Alzheimer's disease or normal pressure hydrocephalus. The goal is to improve diagnosis and understand…

This study aims to confirm whether high glucose levels in the fluid around the brain soon after a ruptured brain aneurysm are linked to needing a permanent shunt. Researchers will measure glucose in both spinal fluid and blood daily in 160 adults who require a temporary drain. Pa…

This study aims to develop a non-invasive way to measure pressure inside the skull (intracranial pressure or ICP), which is currently done by drilling a hole in the head. Researchers will collect data from 581 patients who already have the standard surgical monitor, while also us…

This study looks at whether giving antibiotics for the entire time a brain drain (EVD) is in place prevents infections better than just a single dose before placement. About 84 adults with certain brain conditions will take part. The goal is to find out if longer antibiotic use i…

This study follows 140 people with early signs of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and healthy volunteers over several years. Researchers use advanced brain scans and spinal fluid tests to see if they can predict who will get worse and need a shunt. The goal is to better under…

This study watches 148 adults with acute brain injury who have a drain in their head. Researchers check the fluid from the drain for signs of infection. The goal is to see if changes in a substance called lactate can help doctors catch infections sooner. No new treatments are tes…

This study tests a non-invasive light-based device to monitor brain blood flow and oxygen use in premature infants who have had a brain bleed or developed fluid buildup. Researchers will compare these infants to healthy newborns and those with other causes of fluid buildup. The g…

This study is collecting information from 4500 people who need brain surgery for conditions like aneurysms, tumors, epilepsy, and Parkinson's disease. The goal is to find out what factors help predict how well someone will recover after surgery. By standardizing how outcomes are …

This study tests a new wireless, bandage-like sensor called FlowSense that measures fluid flow in shunts used to treat hydrocephalus. Researchers will compare its readings with standard drainage and pressure measurements in 24 patients who already have external ventricular drains…

This laboratory study uses leftover spinal fluid from 10 patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus to test how different mixtures of local anesthetics form crystals over time. Researchers mix common anesthetic drugs and observe crystal formation under a microscope. The goal is …