When does the brain really die? new study tracks the final moments

NCT ID NCT05306327

Recruiting now Knowledge-focused Sponsor: London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study watches brain activity in patients who are taken off life support in the ICU. Researchers want to see when the brain stops working compared to when the heart stops. It involves 158 adults expected to die within 24 hours of stopping life support. The goal is to better understand the dying process, not to test a treatment.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Death

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

DETERMINATION OF DEATH

Contacts and locations

Locations

Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal,
RECRUITING

Montreal, Quebec, H2X3E4, Canada
Kingston Health Sciences Centre
RECRUITING

Kingston, Ontario, K7L2V7, Canada
London Health Sciences Centre
RECRUITING

London, Ontario, N6A 5A5, Canada
Ottawa Hospital
RECRUITING

Ottawa, Ontario, K1H8L6, Canada
University of Calgary Foothills Campus
RECRUITING

Calgary, Alberta, T2N1N4, Canada