Can fixing abnormal brain vessels help the brain clear its waste?
NCT ID NCT07824297
First seen Sep 17, 2026 · Last updated Sep 18, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
Researchers are studying whether abnormal connections between arteries and veins in the brain's covering, called intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulae, affect the brain's waste-clearance system, known as the glymphatic system. About 20 adults who are already scheduled for standard endovascular embolization to treat these fistulae will have advanced brain MRI scans before treatment and again about six months later. The team will compare imaging markers of glymphatic function before and after the procedure to explore whether treatment is associated with changes in these markers.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If the study finds a link, it could help doctors understand whether treating these abnormal vessel connections also improves the brain's waste-clearance system, which may matter for thinking and memory.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small observational study of 20 people, so it cannot prove cause and effect. MRI markers of glymphatic function are still experimental, and any changes seen after treatment may have other explanations.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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About 20 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jan 2026
- Expected to finish
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Aug 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
Patients with angiographically confirmed diagnosis of unruputred intracranial dAVFs, aged 18-99 years, candidate for endovascular embolization treatment with curative intent.
- Ages
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18 to 99 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study. * Male or Female, aged 18 to 99 years. * Angiographically confirmed diagnosis of unruptured intracranial dAVF. * Candidate for endovascular embolization treatment with curative intent. * Able to undergo Brain MRI. Exclusion Criteria: * Contraindication to angiographic embolization procedures. * Acute intracranial haemorrhage secondary to dAVFs rupture and/or venous hypertension. * Any significant disease or disorder which, in the opinion of the investigator, might influence the participant's ability to participate in the study, other contraindications to MRI such as certain metallic implants.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
3 sites in 3 countries. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Hospital Universitario Vall D'Hebron
RECRUITINGBarcelona, 08035, Spain
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University of Oxford
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGOxford, OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
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Università di Bologna
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGBologna, 40127, Italy
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