Clinical Research Studies
Listed below are clinical research studies being conducted by section faculty. For more information about these studies contact: Robert McNeil, Sr. Research Coordinator, 832-822-1253.
Muscular Dystrophy
Longitudinal Study of the Relationship between Impairment, Activity Limitation, Participation and Quality of Life in Persons with Confirmed Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
The proposed study will longitudinally examine the relationship between impairment, secondary conditions, activity limitation, participation and quality of life. In addition we will evaluate the psychosocial impact of DMD in a large cohort of subjects.
(Timothy E. Lotze, M.D., principal investigator)
Exessive Daytime Sleepiness in Caretakers of Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
The principal aim of this study is to determine the incidence of and factors associated with excessive daytime sleepiness in caregivers of boys affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
(Timothy E. Lotze, M.D., principal investigator)
Autism and Sleep Disorders
Characterization of Endogenous Melatonin Profiles in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
This is a proposal to study the relationship between melatonin and sleep problems in children with autism spectrum disorder, as part of the collaborative research structure of the Autism Treatment Network. Children with ASD experience high rates of sleep disturbance, which likely contribute to the severity of their daytime cognitive and behavioral dysfunction and to poorer quality of life for them and their families.
(Bobbi Hopkins, M.D., principal investigator)
Epilepsy
Clinical And Electrographic Characteristics Of Medically Refractory Epilepsy In Children
This will be a retrospective study to review of existing medical data of child patients (Texas Children’s Hospital) or adult patients (St. Luke's Hospital) diagnosed with epilepsy over the past 8 years ( between January 2001 to January 2009). The clinical features and results of video-EEG monitoring and intraoperative EEG monitoring if available will be reviewed and recorded in a database which will be created for this study. Patients with medically refractory seizures will be compared with patients with medically refractory epilepsy who underwent epilepsy surgery.
(Cigdem Akman M.D., principal investigator)
Clinical And EEG Characteristics Of Refractory Status Epilepticus In Children
The purpose and specific aims of this study are to: 1) Identify the risk factors for refractory status epilepticus in children 2) Identify the risk factors for treatment failure with the diagnosis of RSE 3) Evaluate the clinical outcome following the diagnosis and treatment of the children with RSE.
(Cigdem Akman M.D., principal investigator)
Quantitative Analysis Of FDG-PET Findings In Children And Adults As A Function Of Epilepsy Duration: A Retrospective Pilot Study
The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between duration of epilepsy and cerebral glucose metabolism in children with medically refractory epilepsy.
(Cigdem Akman, M.D., principal investigator)
Pediatric Stroke and Sickle Cell Anemia
Vasculopathic Changes In Sickle Cell Stroke
The purpose of this protocol is to retrospectively review cases of stroke with patients with Sickle Cell Anemia, reviewing the occurance of vasculopathic changes of the cerebral circulation and other risk factors identified that contributed to arterial ischemic stroke. Review of any available pathological specimens, serological testing, and imaging studies will be performed.
(Lisa El-Hakam, M.D., principal investigator)
Sleep Disordered Breathing As A Risk Factor For Elevated Cerebral Blood Flow Velocities In Sickle Cell Anemia
This retrospective study will compare mean transcranial doppler velocities in groups of children with and without sleep disordered breathing, evaluating for an association between the presence of sleep disordered breathing and increased TCD velocities, hypertension, decreased daytime O2 saturations, or occurance of CNS events. The study is designed to determine the difference and standard deviation in mean TCD velocities in the groups of subjects with sickle cell anemia. The hypothesis is that sleep disordered breathing is a risk factor for sickle cell vasculopathy formation, exemplified by increased mean TCD velocities as evidence of vasculopathy formation.
(Lisa El-Hakam, M.D., principal investigator)
Syncope and Orthostatic Intolerance
Syncope in Children and Adolescents
This study will determine the clinical characteristics of syncope in children and adolescents who were evaluated and managed by a pediatric neurologist in a neurology clinic setting and analyze the results of diagnostic evaluations with emphasis on the potential role of mild anemia in the pathogenesis of syncope. The study will also evaluate the response to therapy and the prognosis in this group of patients and compare the group of patients with neurocardiogenic syncope to those with other causes of syncope with respect to demographics, diagnostic testing, and prognosis.
(Imad T. Jarjour, M.D., principal investigator)
Disorders of Orthostatic Tolerance in Children and Adolescents: A Neurologist's Experience at Texas Children's Hospital
The objectives of this protocol are: (1) to explore whether children and adolescents diagnosed by the PI at Texas Children's Hospital with NMS or near-syncope, POTS, and subacute or chronic OH, have a low serum ferritin level or are slightly anemic; (2) to review any additional pertinent diagnostic findings in the course of evaluation at Texas Children's; (3) to determine whether a prospective case-control study of iron status in disorders of orthostatic tolerance is warranted as the next step in this line of clinical investigation.
(Imad T. Jarjour, M.D., principal investigator)
Brain Malformations
Genetics of Rhombencephalosynapsis
The current study will investigate the potential links between mutations of the ZIC2 gene, and the brain malformations rhombencephalosynapsis and holoprosencephaly, with the goal of determining the full spectrum of these disorders and providing genetic counseling for affected individuals.
(Gary D. Clark, M.D., principal investigator, Melissa Ramocki, M.D., Ph.D., co-investigator)
Demyelinating Disease
Sleep Disorders in Pediatric Demyelinating Disease
The purpose of this study is to define the types of sleep disturbances present in pediatric demyelinating disorders as well as evaluate the prevalence of sleep disorders and fatigue in this population.
(Bobbi Hopkins, M.D., principal investigator; Timothy E. Lotze, M.D., Daniel Glaze, M.D., co-investigators)
Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis MRI Criteria
This proposed study will delineate the MRI appearance of children with established MS to develop standardized outcome measurements for use in studies of MS-targeted therapies.
(Timothy E. Lotze, M.D., principal investigator)
Sleep Disorders
Central Sleep Apnea in Children
The purpose of this study is to determine the characteristics of central sleep apnea associated with underlying central nervous system abnormalities and to develop criteria for using brain MRI for further clinical evaluation.
(Bobbi Hopkins, M.D., principal investigator)
Rett Syndrome
Rett Syndrome Natural History Clinical Protocol
The purpose of this study is to establish a phenotype-genotype correlation over a broad spectrum of Rett syndrome phenotypes including the longitudinal pattern of progression, that is the natural history of clinical features across this cohort including assessment of quality of life and longevity. These data will be essential to the development and conduct of clinical trials that are anticipated from ongoing studies in animal models for Rett syndrome. This study will not include clinical trials, but should set the stage for such trials. Any future clinical trials would involve additional protocol development.
(Daniel Glaze, M.D., principal investigator)
Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy
Prospective Study of the Treatment for Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy
The purpose of this study is to determine the optimal age, three months (early) or six months (late), for surgical repair of Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy and to determine the natural history of neurologic recovery in patients with BPBP.
(Timothy E. Lotze, M.D., principal investigator)
Learning and Development
Maternal Neuroendocrine Response To Infant Cues - Cocaine and Early Environment Interactions
The purpose of this project is to examine how cocaine exposed mothers respond to their infants’ cues, exploring brain and behavioral mechanisms. Evidence from numerous clinical and pre-clinical studies suggests that these earliest patterns of maternal care have wide-ranging and long-term effects on infant development, and that changes in maternal behavior may actually prevent many of these adverse long-term consequences.
(Lane Strathearn, M.D., principal investigator)
Headache
Characterization Of The Referral Pattern Of Pediatric Headached To Tertiary Centers
The purpose of this protocol is to evaluate the referral pattern of pediatric headache patients to headache specialists/tertiary referral centers. This study will identify distinguishing features that lead to a patient’s referral and should provide insight to the referring primary care provider’s concerns that resulted in requesting a referral. Based on these findings, education or information can be provided to the referring primary care providers to assist in their patient management.
(Diana Lebron, M.D., principal investigator)
