Research for Neurology & Psychiatry

Highlights of Clinical Research in the Department of Neurology & Psychiatry

In FY07, the DNP had a total of $1,893,804 in total research dollars (Psychiatry $1,061,804, Neurology $832,000). The Chair added slightly more than $1 million dollars in National Institutes of Health-funding when his research team came here from Case Western Reserve University. The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation and the Department of Veterans Affairs also support work of the DNP faculty. The DNP also has a robust Clinical Research Unit that has approximately 35 ongoing trials, including these highlighted trials:

Hypothermia for Acute Stroke: This study will determine if Activase given within the 3-6 hour window after stroke is effective, and if inducing hypothermia is effective in reducing the effects of stroke from 0-6 hours after stroke. Activase already is approved for use during the three-hour window after stroke onset. Principal Investigator is Salvador Cruz, MD. Funded by NIH.

Phase III Randomized Multicenter Clinical Trial of High-Dose Human Albumin Therapy for Neuroprotection in Acute Ischemic Stroke: The purpose is to evaluate the effectiveness of high-dose, intravenous human serum albumin in the event of acute ischemic stroke over and above best standard practice. Principal Investigator is Salvador Cruz, MD. Funded by NIH.

Ancrod in Stroke Program-II (ASP-II): A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of Ancrod (Viprinex™). The primary objective is to determine whether Ancrod, begun intravenously within 6 hours after stroke onset confers statistically significant benefit in reducing the incidence of disability at 90 days. Principal Investigator is Salvador Cruz, MD. Funded by Neurobiological Technologies, Inc.

Multi-Center, Double-Blind, Randomized Study Comparing the Combined Use of Interferon Beta-1a and Glatiramer Acetate to either Agent Alone in Patients with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (CombiRx-Phase III) Research will evaluate whether the combination of interferon beta-1a, injected once a week, and glatiramer acetate, injected daily, is effective for relapsing-remitting form of MS. The trial explores the efficacy of a novel oral agent for MS. Principle Investigator is Florian P. Thomas, MD. Co-funded by NIH (NINDS) and Biogen.

E2080-A001-301: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Study of Rufinamide Given as Adjunctive Therapy in Patients with Refractory Partial Seizures: The study is to assist researchers in finding out if an investigational drug called “E2080” or “Rufinamide” can help people with partial seizures who have been treated with at least two different antiepileptic drugs (given concurrently or sequentially) for at least two years. Principal Investigator is Kitti Kaiboriboon, MD. Funded by Eisai.

Valproate Neuro Protection Study: Research will evaluate if the use of Valproate in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s Disease can impact the disorganized thoughts and unusual behavior experienced as the disease progresses. Participants must be diagnosed with Dementia of the Alzheimer’s Type. Principle Investigator is George T. Grossberg, MD. Funded by NIH.

Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) in Slowing the Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease: This trial uses fish oil (DHA) each day verses placebo for the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease. The overall purpose of the study is to either halt or slow the progression of Alzheimer’s. Principle Investigator is George T. Grossberg, MD. Funded by NIH.

---