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Metabolic and Hemodynamic Reserve in Pediatric SCA
NCT04406818 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
The purpose of this research study is to better understand how blood flow and metabolism change can influence brain development in the early decades of life. SCA participants and healthy controls are age and sex-matched for comparison. Within the SCA cohort, children with infarcts may have thinner cortices than those without, reflecting a greater loss. The investigators will examine brain blood flow and metabolism using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The brain's blood vessels expand and constrict to regulate blood flow based on the brain's needs. The amount of expanding and contracting the blood vessels may vary by age. The brain's blood flow changes in small ways during everyday activities, such exercise, deep concentration, or normal brain growth. Significant illness or psychological stress may increase the brain's metabolic demand or cause other bigger changes in blood flow. If blood vessels are not able to expand to give more blood flow when metabolic demand is high, the brain may not get all of the oxygen it needs. In extreme circumstances, if the brain is unable to get enough oxygen for a long time, a stroke may occur. Sometimes small strokes occur without other noticeable changes and are only detectable on an MRI. These are sometimes called "silent strokes." In less extreme circumstances, not having a full oxygen supply may cause the brain to grow and develop more slowly than when it has a full supply. One way to test the ability of blood vessels to expand is by measuring blood flow while breathing in carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide causes blood vessels in the brain to dilate without increasing brain metabolism. During this study participants may be asked to undergo a blood draw, MRI, cognitive assessments, and brief questionnaires. The study team will use a special mask to control the amount of carbon dioxide the participants breathe in.
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- DRUG Carbon Dioxide
Study Locations (1)
Missouri
- Washington University in St. Louis — St Louis
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 120 participants |
| Start Date | 2021-06-30 |
| Est. Completion | 2026-03-31 |
| Phase | NA |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT04406818
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT04406818 describes a study currently listed as recruiting. It is categorized as NA, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 120 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is Washington University School of Medicine, which has 1,036 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 4 conditions, with Sickle Cell Disease appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 1 intervention — of which Carbon Dioxide is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT04406818 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include Missouri. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT04406818 about?
NCT04406818 is a clinical study titled "Metabolic and Hemodynamic Reserve in Pediatric SCA". The purpose of this research study is to better understand how blood flow and metabolism change can influence brain development in the early decades of life. SCA participants and healthy controls are age and sex-matched for comparison. Within the SCA cohort, children with infarcts may have thinner c...
What is the current status of trial NCT04406818?
This trial is currently recruiting. It is a NA study. The enrollment target is 120 participants. The study started on 2021-06-30. Estimated completion is 2026-03-31.
What conditions does trial NCT04406818 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Sickle Cell Disease, Anemia, Sickle Cell, Brain Diseases, Child, Only. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT04406818?
The interventions under investigation include: Carbon Dioxide (DRUG). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT04406818?
This trial is sponsored by Washington University School of Medicine, which has 1,036 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT04406818 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across Missouri. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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