RecruitingNot Applicable

Evaluation and Treatment of Neurosurgical Disorders

United States5,000 participantsStarted 2003-06-04

Plain-language summary

Objective: This protocol is designed to allow evaluation of participants neurosurgical disorders that receive care within the Surgical Neurology Branch. The participants will receive standard-of-clinical-care evaluation and treatment. The clinical data and samples generated during standard of care treatment will be collected as a part of this study. Study Population: Participants 4 years of age and older with neurosurgical-related conditions seeking care from, or referred to the Surgical Neurology Branch for evaluation are eligible for this protocol. Study Design: This is an observational study. Participants will receive standard-of- clinical-care evaluation and treatment for their neurosurgical condition. Clinical evaluation may include laboratory and radiological studies designed to aid in diagnosis or differential diagnosis of the participant s condition or to facilitate treatment. The evaluations may take place in the outpatient clinic areas or in the inpatient units. Some participants will receive standard-of-care medical or surgical treatment for their disorder. Clinical data, tissue samples or body fluids obtained during standard of care treatment, may be used for research. Additional genetic testing may be performed on subjects and their blood relatives if a genetic mechanism underlying the neurological disorder is suspected. Patients in this study may choose to consent to skin biopsies for research purposes, in which case they will sign an additional consent document for thesethis research procedure. Outcome Measures: No additional research outcome measures will be tracked in this study, as this study is collecting data for potential future use. All outcomes will be those of standard clinical evaluation and treatment. A clinical and research database will be kept of patient s diagnosis, progression, and treatment. Clinical database information may be reported or be used in other studies.

Who can participate

Age range

4 Years – 99 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria

. Participants must be age 4 and older.
. Participants must seek care from, or be referred to the Surgical Neurology Branch for evaluation and management of neurosurgical conditions (such as central nervous system tumors, peripheral nerve tumors, epilepsy, Parkinson s disease, movement disorders, Chiari syndrome, central nervous system malformations, and pain disorders)
. For adults: able to provide informed consent or having a legally-authorized representative to provide consent, if incapacitated
. For minors: a parent or legal guardian who is able to provide consent.
. Blood relative of a subject who is suspected to have a genetic mechanism underlying their neurological disorder (for genetic testing only).

Exclusion criteria

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

standard clinical evaluation and treatment

Timeframe: ongoing

Trial details

NCT IDNCT00060541

SponsorNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Sponsor typeNIH

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Contact for this trial

Surgical Neurology Branch

(301) 496-2921 snbrecruiting@nih.gov

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Neurologic Disorders trials