Brain Microcirculation in Head Injuries and Brain Tumours
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An observational study of the correlation between brain cortical microcirculatory blood flow and intra-cranial pressure in head injured and brain tumour patients.
IRAS ID
140718
Contact name
Mark H Wilson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Trauma is the leading cause of death in the under 40s, with brain injury being the commonest reason for that loss of life. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) also has profound consequences for survivors, their loved ones, and the economy. The main goal of hospital care is to prevent or reduce the further evolution of brain damage following injury (so called secondary brain injury), and to try to restore normal function. As part of this, it is essential to maintain good blood flow to the brain. Brain blood flow can be affected by a number of variables including the patient’s blood pressure and the pressure inside their head (Intracranial Pressure, ICP). However, the relationship between these and actual blood flow is not well understood.
Brain tumours can also have a devastating impact on life expectancy, and ability to function. As with TBI, brain tumours have significant costs for patients, their family, and society. Typically, in a patient with a brain tumour, ICP is elevated, however, unlike in TBI, the rise is generally more gradual.
A new technique that enables direct visualisation of blood flow in very small blood vessels (capillaries) has been used to assess the microcirculation in a number of tissues, including under the tongue, and the brain of stroke patients. This study will directly measure the brain blood flow at a capillary level in patients that are already undergoing a neurosurgical procedure due to TBI or a brain tumour. A small, “pen like’, microscope device will be held on the surface of the brain for 20 seconds. This will directly measure brain blood flow, enable a better understanding, and lead to the development of measures to improve this blood flow, with inherent longterm patient benefit.
REC name
London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/0091
Date of REC Opinion
15 Feb 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion