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New brain scans could transform sickle cell treatment
NCT ID NCT04166526
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests new brain imaging tools to measure oxygen flow in children with sickle cell disease. Researchers will compare healthy kids, untreated patients, and those who had gene therapy. The goal is to find better ways to decide when treatment is needed and how well it works.
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 8 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Oct 2019
- Expected to finish
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Aug 2027
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
In this pilot study, investigators plan on recruiting 8 children between the ages of 8-18 from hematology clinics.
- Ages
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8 to 18 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: Group 1 (healthy controls): * Children ages 8-18 without SCD Group 2 (SCD patients without treatment): * SCD patients ages 8-18 who: * have not undergone gene therapy or a bone marrow transplant * are not receiving chronic transfusions * have not received a blood transfusion in the past 3 months Group 3 (SCD patients who have undergone gene therapy): * SCD patients ages 8-18 who have had gene therapy at least one month prior to enrollment Group 4 (SCD patients who have chronic transfusions): * SCD patients ages 8-18 who receive chronic transfusions Exclusion Criteria: * Electrical implants such as cardiac pacemakers or perfusion pumps; * Ferromagnetic implants such as aneurysm clips, surgical clips, prosthesis, artificial hearts, valves with steel parts, metal fragments, shrapnel, tattoos near the eye, or steel implants; * Ferromagnetic objects such as jewelry or metal clips; * Women of childbearing age who are seeking to become pregnant, who are breastfeeding, or who suspect they may be pregnant; * Pre-existing medical conditions including a likelihood of developing seizures or claustrophobic reactions; * Any greater than normal potential for cardiac arrest; * Subjects requiring sedation for MRI
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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
1 site. 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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Boston Children's Hospital
RECRUITINGBoston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Can adding common pain drugs reduce morphine needs in sickle cell crises?
- Gene editing offers hope for a One-Time sickle cell cure
- Tiny biochip could reveal sickle cell severity
- Can a milder transplant cure sickle cell and thalassemia in adults?
- Can an antioxidant supplement calm sickle cell blood cells?