Rehabilitation Hospital Conducting Stroke Research: participants being recruited
August 7, 2012Helen Hayes Hospital is conducting a medical research study for individuals who have experienced an ischemic stroke and continue to have problems with their ability to feel or move with either their lower or upper body. Individuals who are experiencing these chronic deficits after an ischemic stroke are being recruited for the study.
The results of the research will help doctors learn more about the safety of Dalfampridine when treating patients who have experienced a stroke. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already approved Dalfampridine for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) to help improve their abilities to walk. Dalfampridine has not been studied in individuals recovering from stroke. The use of Dalfampridine in this study is investigational.
To pre-qualify for this study, an individual must meet the following criteria:
- Be between 18 and 85 years of age
- Have had a stroke six months ago or longer
- Have a history of problems with the ability to feel or move due to the stroke
- Must not have had a history of seizures, with the exception of simple febrile seizures
- Must not have any moderate or severe kidney impairments
- Must not have had Botox in the last two months.
All study-related visits, tests and study drugs will be provided at no cost. In addition, compensation for time and travel will be provided.
Jason Greenberg, M.D, Director of Stroke Rehabilitation Services at Helen Hayes Hospital is the principal investigator. Dr. Greenberg’s work has been widely published in a number of professional journals and books and he has served as a reviewer for the Journal of Neurological Sciences, the Journal of Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair and Stroke. At Helen Hayes Hospital, Dr. Greenberg leads a team of nurses, physical, occupational and speech therapists and other professionals whose goal is to maximize the recovery of individuals with a stroke.
Each year, 700,000 people suffer from a stroke, with ischemic stroke accounting for 88% of strokes. Ischemic strokes occur when there is a physical blockage of blood flow to an area of the brain, causing brains cells in the area to die. These strokes are often caused by atherosclerosis or blood clots in the heart, which result from heart attack, atrial fibrillation or abnormalities of the heart valves.
To learn more about this study, contact: Laura Tenteromano, R.N. at 845-786-4854.
