Natural History of Stroke: Cause and Development

Recruiting now

Conditions studied: Brain Disease, Ischemic Attack, Transient, Cerebrovascular Accident, Cerebrovascular Disorder, Vascular Diseases

In brief

The purpose of this study is to learn more about stroke and obtain information that may serve as the basis for future investigations. It will 1) establish a registry of patients with cerebrovascular disease (stroke); 2) characterize the natural history of acute stroke and transient ischemic attacks (TIA)-an interruption of blood flow to the brain that causes stroke symptoms for a short period of time); and 3) evaluate the data to generate ideas for future studies. Patients 18 years of age or older with suspected acute stroke or TIA may be eligible for this study. Subjects will be recruited from patients who present with stroke at the emergency department of Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. The study will gather data collected from diagnostic and laboratory tests the patient undergoes as part of standard medical care, including findings of medical and neurological examinations and other tests. In addition, studies will be done for research purposes only to gather data about stroke and TIA. These may include the following: * Blood and urine tests not more than 2 tablespoons of blood will be drawn for various tests. * Electrocardiogram (EKG) (heart tracing)-electrodes placed on the chest wall detect the heartbeat and heart rhythm. * Computed tomography (CT) scan of the head-specialized X-rays are used to obtain images of the brain. * Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain-a strong magnetic field and radio waves are used to produce images that provide information about the brain tissue and blood vessels. * Transcranial Doppler (TCD)-sound waves are used to image the arteries of the brain and neck. * Echocardiogram-sound waves are used to image the heart and evaluate heart function. Patients may be asked to return to Suburban Hospital for follow-up testing in 1, 3, and/or 12 months, when some of these tests may be repeated to assess changes over time

Key facts

Study ID: NCT00009243
Run by: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
People needed: 4000
Starts: 2001-01-26
Last updated by the study team: 2026-08-04

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 120. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may not qualify if…

An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:
Subjects with contraindication to MRI scanning will be excluded from any testing which involves the use of MRI. The contraindications include subjects with the following devices or conditions:
Central nervous system aneurysm clips
Implanted neural stimulator
Implanted cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator
Cochlear implant
Ocular foreign body (e.g. metal shavings)
Insulin pump
Metal shrapnel or bullet
Any implanted device that is incompatible with MRI
Subjects with a condition precluding entry in the scanner (e.g. morbid obesity, Claustrophobia, etc.) will not be included in the MRI portion of this study.
Pregnancy

Where it is running

Medstar Washington Hospital Center — Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States (enrolling)
Suburban Hospital - Johns Hopkins Medicine — Bethesda, Maryland, United States (enrolling)
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center — Bethesda, Maryland, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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