Biomarker-Led Optimization of Successful Surgical Outcomes in Moyamoya

NCT ID: NCT06634004

Last Updated: 2026-01-14

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION
• Total Enrollment: 100 participants
• Study Classification: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-09-11
• Study Completion Date: 2030-09-11

Brief Summary

The goal of this work is to use advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods to assess brain blood flow and vascular function in adults with moyamoya disease (MMD). MMD is a condition characterized by narrowing or obstruction of major arteries in the brain and people with MMD have a high risk of stroke. Study participants will be enrolled from Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Johns Hopkins Hospital and will undergo up to two MRI scans where measurements of cerebrovascular reserve are performed using inhaled room air mixed with 5% carbon dioxide. Scans will be performed before and after surgeries to treat MMD, all surgeries are clinically indicated and are not research procedures. To further understand how surgeries impact brain health, we will also perform neurological exams and cognitive testing at approximately the same time as the imaging scans. The overall goal is to incorporate advanced imaging and cognitive assessments to understand how surgeries improve brain health in these patients, and furthermore, to use this information to develop improved screening tools for stroke risk and decisions about surgery.

Detailed Description

MMD is a condition with narrowing and blockage of major arteries in the brain and people with MMD have a high risk of stroke. Neurosurgical revascularization surgery is usually recommended to provide more blood flow to the brain and hopefully prevent further strokes. The primary goal of this study to improve the understanding of response to neurosurgical treatment and disease improvement or progression by using innovative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods to assess brain blood flow and oxygen use in adults with idiopathic MMD before and after they have surgery.

The study will recruit 100 adults with idiopathic MMD, aged 18-60 years, from neurosurgery clinics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Johns Hopkins Hospital, as well as 20 healthy controls. Participants will undergo comprehensive evaluations including MRI, cognitive exams, and optional blood and urine collection.

More specifically, the proposal involves the development and application of MRI methods for visualizing hemodynamic and metabolic relationships in adults suffering from idiopathic moyamoya disease. As part of the research study, participants will undergo 1-2 MRI scans at a field strength of 3 Tesla. Each scan session will last approximately one hour, which will include the time when the volunteers rehearse the experiment outside of the scanner, time for the volunteers to be comfortably placed in the scanner, scanning (including one scan where blood flow and oxygenation will be measured before and during a mild hypercapnic stimulus), and finally time for the participants to slowly exit the scan room. Moyamoya participants may also undergo surgical revascularization and catheter angiography using digital subtraction angiography (DSA). These procedures are clinically indicated and will be performed as part of clinical care, and therefore are not research procedures. Therefore, the risks relevant to this study pertain to the research procedures only, which are comprised of non-invasive MRI scans, neurological exams, as well as cognitive testing. Neurological assessments will utilize the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the modified Rankin Score (mRS) to evaluate disability. Neurocognitive testing will be completed to assess multiple cognitive domains.

Participants are not randomized to an intervention or study group but studying cerebral blood flow changes is considered a basic experimental study involving humans (BESH) clinical trial by the National Institutes of Health that funds this study. The study uses commercial MRI approaches and data-driven software approaches to ensure the tools are generalizable across medical centers. This comprehensive approach aims to identify which patients require specific treatments and understand what contributes to positive responses. Planned surgery for MMD is an inclusion criteria for this study for MMD participants. Again, surgery will be performed as a part of clinical care and is not a research procedure. Therefore, the risks relevant to this study pertain to the research procedures only, which are comprised of non-invasive MRI scans, neurological exams, as well as cognitive testing, blood and urine samples.

Conditions

Moyamoya Disease

Study Design

• Observational Model Type: CASE_CONTROL
• Study Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE

Study Groups

Moyamoya

Adults diagnosed with Moyamoya who are being considered for revascularization surgery.

BOLD MRI

Intervention Type: OTHER

The study will utilize the MRI diagnostic reactivity test to evaluate cerebrovascular reactivity in patients with moyamoya and healthy controls. All participants (patients and controls) receive the same diagnostic scan, and there is no cross-over, factorial, or sequential nature to the study.

Control

Healthy adults who will under go a BOLD MRI for research purposes.

BOLD MRI

Intervention Type: OTHER

The study will utilize the MRI diagnostic reactivity test to evaluate cerebrovascular reactivity in patients with moyamoya and healthy controls. All participants (patients and controls) receive the same diagnostic scan, and there is no cross-over, factorial, or sequential nature to the study.

Interventions

BOLD MRI

The study will utilize the MRI diagnostic reactivity test to evaluate cerebrovascular reactivity in patients with moyamoya and healthy controls. All participants (patients and controls) receive the same diagnostic scan, and there is no cross-over, factorial, or sequential nature to the study.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Moyamoya

1. Clinical diagnosis of moyamoya disease as defined by gold-standard catheter angiography and consensus adjudication of imaging and neurological findings

2. Age = 18-60 years

3. Participants for the surgical revascularization aims must be scheduled for clinically indicated indirect surgical revascularization of at least one hemisphere

4. Speak and read English

Healthy controls

1. No major medical conditions

2. Age = 18-60 years

3. Speak and read English

4. Able to complete 2 study MRIs and all other study procedures

Exclusion Criteria

-Both moyamoya and healthy controls

1. History of other major neurological conditions (including but not limited to Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and Multiple Sclerosis) as confirmed by neuroimaging and neurological evaluation (central adjudication committee).

2. History of traumatic brain injury

3. Independent medical condition expected to lead to death within two years.

4. Condition associated with syndromic moyamoya (including but not limited to sickle cell disease, atherosclerosis, neurofibromatosis, Down syndrome).

5. Severe respiratory illness including but not limited to asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

7. Contraindication to 3 Tesla MRI 8. Pregnancy

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 69 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

NIH

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Manus Donahue

Professor of Neurology

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Manus J Donahue, MBA, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Locations

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Countries

United States

Other Identifiers

1R01NS133101

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

231114

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id