Cerebrovascular Reactivity in American Football Players



Status:Recruiting
Conditions:Hospital, Neurology, Neurology
Therapuetic Areas:Neurology, Other
Healthy:No
Age Range:40 - 65
Updated:4/17/2018
Start Date:March 1, 2018
End Date:September 1, 2019
Contact:Ramon Diaz-Arrastia, MD, PhD
Email:ramon.diaz-arrastia@uphs.upenn.edu
Phone:215-662-9732

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Cerebrovascular Reactivity Assessed With Functional Near-infrared Spectroscopy and Magnetic Resonance Imaging as a Biomarker of Traumatic Microvascular Injury in American Football Players

Investigators will measure cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) using functional near-infrared
spectroscopy (fNIRS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during the chronic phase after
repetitive mild traumatic brain injury (rmTBI) as a biomarker of traumatic cerebrovascular
injury (TCVI). We hypothesize that CVR will be decreased in patients with rmTBI and that
these decreases will correlate with clinical outcomes. Furthermore, we predict that 5 week
administration of a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, sildenafil citrate, will augment
CVR in patients with a history rmTBI.


Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 40-65 years

2. Former National Football League (NFL) players or former varsity college football
players

3. Ability to undergo MRI scanning

4. Ability to read, write, and speak English

5. Stable doses of concomitant medications for last 2 weeks prior to enrollment

6. Diagnosis of post-concussive syndrome according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5
(DSM-5) criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Contraindication to sildenafil

2. Past medical history or evidence of penetrating brain injury

3. Daily therapy with a PDE5 inhibitor within the past 2 months, or taken as needed
within past 4 weeks

4. History or evidence of pre-existing disabling neurological or psychiatric disorder not
related to previous head injuries

5. History of melanoma

6. History of diagnosed obstructive/ restrictive pulmonary disease 7 .) Contraindication
to MRI
We found this trial at
1
site
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Principal Investigator: Ramon Diaz-Arrastia, MD, PhD
Phone: 800-789-7366
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mi
from
Philadelphia, PA
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