Research

Current Clinical Research: Opportunities to Participate

A major focus of The Stroke Center-Dallas is clinical research. Two ongoing clinical trials in collaboration with investigators from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas, The University of Texas at Dallas and Ruhr University, Bochum Germany are now recruiting subjects. All research activities are carried out on site at The TWU Stroke Center-Dallas.

We are Looking for Qualified Participants

Recruitment is underway for the two studies. One study is exploring the use of drug treatment paired with 36 hours of language therapy over 6 weeks to accelerate the rate of recovery from aphasia. The second study is exploring the use of a passive sensory stimulation of the hand to increase sensory abilities and motor function subsequent to stroke. This study requires 180 minutes a day, 4 days per week for 4 weeks.

Click here to see frequently asked questions about stroke studies.

Aphasia Recovery Study

After stroke, pairing certain drugs with intense practice can enhance the neuroplasticity in the mature brain. We have conducted open label pilot studies combining Dexedrine (dextro-amphetamine sulfate) and Aricept (donepezil) paired with language therapy to enhance recovery from aphasia with no observed side effects. The current blinded/placebo trial is the exploration of this drug combination compared with Aricept alone with language therapy over a 6 week period and 4 week follow-up. Previous aspects of this work have been supported by The National Institutes of Health, The Moody Foundation, The Mobility Foundation Center and private gifts. The research team is led by Dr. Delaina Walker-Batson of Texas Woman’s University and Dr. Mark Johnson of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas. This study is available at no charge to persons who qualify. Number of subjects: 24. Time period: 3 years.

Eligibility Criteria for Aphasia Drug Combination Recovery Study

Inclusion criteria

Acute single left cerebral artery thromboembolic infarction verified by CT or MRI
Age 18 to 80
Entry into the study day 30-92 post stroke
Speech-language deficits ranging from severe to mild-to-moderate

Exclusion criteria

Brainstem or hemorrhagic stroke
Bilateral involvement
Prior cerebral lesions with residual deficits
Terminal illness/multiple medical deficits
History of head injury with loss of consciousness
Any other coincident neurologic condition
History of alcohol or drug dependence
History of psychiatric illness requiring hospitalization
Inability to fluently read, write or speak English prior to stroke
Uncontrolled cardiac dysrhythmia by history and stroke workup EKG
Uncontrolled hypertension (greater than 160/100)
Untreated hyperthyroidism
Pregnancy
Receiving alpha-adrenergic antagonists or agonists, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, benzodiazepines, scopolamine, haloperidol or Inderal
Currently prescribed dextro-amphetamine sulfate, Ritalin or Adderall

Pilot Study of Sensory Stimulation Study of the Hand

The second study is an exploration of passive stimulation of the hand to increase sensation and motor abilities following stroke. This research team is led by Dr. Delaina Walker-Batson, Dr. Mark Johnson and Dr. Hubert Dinse of Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany. This study is available at no cost to participants who qualify. Number of subjects: 6. Time period: 1 year.

Eligibility Criteria for Sensory Stimulation Study of the Hand

Inclusion criteria

Acute single left cerebral artery thromboembolic infarction
Age 18-80
Entry into the study 6 weeks to 36 months post onset
Upper extremity motor deficits ranging from 40 to 66 on the Fugl-Meyer Motor Scale
The individual must exhibit grasp in his paretic hand
Must be strongly right-handed

Exclusion criteria

Any other coincident neurologic condition including seizures
Terminal medical condition (e.g. AIDS, Cancer)

If interested please contact:

The Stroke Center-Dallas
Sandra Curtis, M.A. Research Coordinator
Phone: 214-689-6592
FAX: 214-689-6614
Email: Strokecenter@TWU.edu