Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis: Cognitive Function and Plaque Correlates
Completed
Conditions studied: Cognitive Manifestations
In brief
Carotid artery plaques are known to cause stroke. Cognitive impairment is an insidious but poorly understood problem in patients with carotid plaques. Cognitive function describes how people perform mental processes such as thinking, learning and problem solving. Asymptomatic carotid plaques may affect 1 million Veterans who may be at risk for cognitive impairment. In this study, the investigators will uncover the extent of cognitive impairment in Veterans with carotid stenosis who are currently labeled "asymptomatic". Programs to prevent or mitigate cognitive impairment will depend on identifying the mechanisms by which this occurs. The investigators will use sophisticated 3D imaging techniques developed by the group to measure the structure and composition of plaques, number of particles breaking off from them, blood levels of chemicals that could disrupt them, and blood flow restriction to the brain from them. This will help identify patients at risk for cognitive impairment who may benefit from preventative measures and improve selection of patients to decrease unnecessary surgical procedures.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT01353196
- Run by
- VA Office of Research and Development
- People needed
- 170
- Starts
- 2011-05-15
- Expected to finish
- 2018-02-28
- Last updated by the study team
- 2019-07-24
Who can join
Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.
You may qualify if…
- asymptomatic 50% carotid stenosis or more
You may not qualify if…
- previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- severe medical illness that would interfere with evaluation of outcomes or reduce the likelihood of a 2-year follow-up
- carotid occlusion
- patients scheduled for carotid revascularization procedures
Where it is running
- Baltimore VA Medical Center VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD — Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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