Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is one of the major types of cerebral small vessel disease, and a leading cause of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage and cognitive decline in elderly patients. Although increasingly detected, a number of aspects including the pathophysiology, the clinical and neuroradiological phenotype and the disease course are still under investigation. The incomplete knowledge of the disease limits the implementation of evidence based guidelines on patient's clinical management and the development of treatments able to prevent or reduce disease progression.
The SENECA (SEarchiNg biomarkErs of Cerebral Angiopathy) project is the first Italian multicentre cohort study aimed at better defining the disease natural history and identifying clinical and neuroradiological markers of disease progression. By a multidisciplinary approach and the collection of a large and well phenotyped series and biorepository of CAA patients, the study is ultimately expected to improve the diagnosis and the knowledge of CAA pathophysiological mechanisms.
Who can participate
Age range
55 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:
* All consecutive patients ≥55 years (with the exception of genetic cases), referred to the participating centres, with a diagnosis of possible probable and definite symptomatic or asymptomatic CAA, defined according to the modified Boston neuroradiological criteria, who had undergone at least one brain MRI (mandatory requirement for inclusion of the patient in the study) will be recruited.
Exclusion Criteria:
* evidence of other causes of cerebral hemorrhage (brain tumors, arteriovenous malformations, aneurysms, cavernous angiomas), contraindications to brain MRI, pregnancy and breastfeeding
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
1
Clinical and neuroradiological phenotype
Timeframe: 24 months
Trial details
NCT IDNCT04204642
SponsorFondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta