Study LocatoR
Search Criteria: Brain Health Studies;
Studies Found: 5
Benefit of Focused Ultrasound Treatment of Essential Tremor to Individuals With Vocal Tremor
The purpose of this study is to determine whether individuals being treated for their essential tremor significantly impairing hand/arm function also experience benefit to their voice tremor. This study will evaluate pre-treatment and post-treatment changes to voice tremor using clinical questionnaires, observation of tremor in structures of the face, jaw, tongue, and throat as well as using audio recordings and patient self-report. Individuals previously seen in the Voice Disorders Center where recordings of their throat were saved, post-FUS recordings can be made 3 months after treatment is completed if participants express interest in this option.
Brain Effects of CBD and THC
How do cannabis products such as CBD and THC affect brain function involved in attention, behavior, emotion, and cognition? Why do CBD and THC have different effects on individuals? Answering these questions may help many patients seeking cannabis related therapies. This is where you come in. We need volunteers to receive various combinations of CBD, THC, and a placebo while undergoing MRI brain scans. Whats involved? Five 3-hour appointments Visits will consist of blood draws, urine samples, neuropsychological tests, MRI brain scans, and oral administration of CBD/THC products Participants must provide someone to drive them home after visits 2-5 Whats in it for you? Report from MRI brain scan and pictures of your brain Contributing to a better understanding of the effects of cannabinoids in the brain Compensation for study participation Are you eligible? No neurological or psychological disorder No tobacco use (last 60 days) No marijuana use (last 30 days) No illicit drugs/opioids (last 60 days or history of dependency or abuse) Females cannot be pregnant Take the eligibility survey today! https://is.gd/cbdstudy
Elucidating Brainstem Contributions to Visceral and Somatic Motor Dysfunction after mTBI
Optimal rehabilitative care following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) should be based on approaches that target the key underlying mechanism of dysfunction. However, the underpinnings of motor problems after mTBI, including imbalance and improper regulation of heart rate and blood pressure, remain unclear. This project will use state-of-the-art neuroimaging methods and detailed testing of motor function to examine the role of the brainstem in motor problems to better guide care in people with mTBI. Participants will have an MRI brain scan and complete several tests of mobility, cardiovascular, and pupillary function at two visits, separated three months apart.
Evaluation of Sensory Tricks in Individuals with Laryngeal Dystonia or Essential Vocal Tremor
Laryngeal dystonia (LD) is a rare neurogenic voice disorder that results in an intermittently strained-strangled or breathy voice quality during speaking. Essential tremor of the voice (ETv) is another neurogenic voice disorder typically perceived as a shaky voice quality but sometimes associated with a similar voice quality to LD, making it challenging for clinicians to distinguish these voice disorders. A correct diagnosis is essential for accurate and effective treatment of these voice disorders. However, clinical voice experts often confuse these disorders and frequently disagree with each other when judging voice quality or observing speech structures. Development of clinical tools that help clinicians make the correct diagnosis of these disorders is a priority. Therefore, we propose studying a characteristic of dystonias, sensory tricks. A sensory trick is a phenomenon diagnostic of dystonias described as a short-term improvement of symptoms due to sensory cues like touching or supporting a body part or being distracted by a sound. This phenomenon is well studied in other kinds of dystonia but has not been systematically evaluated in LD. This pilot study aims to evaluate whether sensory tricks improve voice symptoms in those with LD compared to those with ETv. If successful, outcomes will help identify specific sensory trick(s) that most clearly change LD symptoms and show promise for improving correct diagnosis of those with LD. The sensory tricks studied should be accessible and affordable for use during assessment by clinicians to help distinguish those with LD from ETv. Importantly, findings will inform future studies to improve utilization by clinicians.
NERVE TRANSFERS TO IMPROVE UPPER EXTREMITY FUNCTION AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN TETRAPLEGIC PATIENTS
The purpose of this study is to gather information about the treatment of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) through the use of a surgical procedure known as a nerve transfer. SCI is a devastating condition which is thought to affect nearly 40 cases per million persons annually in the US. More than 50% SCI occur in the cervical spine (i.e., tetraplegia), resulting in some loss of arm and/or hand function. Nerve transfers are used to improve upper extremity and hand function in patients who have suffered from SCI. This is a treatment option that is available to all (appropriate) patients, and participation in this study is not necessary to receive this treatment. Participation in this study is voluntary, and is available only to those who meet certain eligibility criteria. These criteria will be reviewed on a case by case basis by the University of Utah Department of Neurosurgery's study team as potential participants express their interest in the study. Various appointments and/or diagnostic procedures may be scheduled in order to ensure the eligibility of potential patients. There is no financial cost to patients (aside from the standard costs of care) who participate in this study, and there are no direct financial benefits provided for doing so. Participants will be followed after the procedure both by the surgeon and the physical therapy team. This study does provide funding for the physical therapy services utilized in the long-term follow up phase, but this funding is limited. So participants are encouraged to schedule these visits appropriately. The information provided on this page is not exhaustive, so those who are interested in this study are encouraged to contact our study team to discuss any questions they might have. You can do this by contacting the study coordinator, Kirby Taylor, via telephone or email.