Biomarker-Led Optimization of Successful Surgical Outcomes in Moyamoya

Overview

The goal of this work is to use advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods to assess brain blood flow and vascular function in adults with moyamoya disease (MMD). MMD is a condition characterized by narrowing or obstruction of major arteries in the brain and people with MMD have a high risk of stroke. Study participants will be enrolled from Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Johns Hopkins Hospital and will undergo up to two MRI scans where measurements of cerebrovascular reserve are performed using inhaled room air mixed with 5% carbon dioxide. Scans will be performed before and after surgeries to treat MMD, all surgeries are clinically indicated and are not research procedures. To further understand how surgeries impact brain health, we will also perform neurological exams and cognitive testing at approximately the same time as the imaging scans. The overall goal is to incorporate advanced imaging and cognitive assessments to understand how surgeries improve brain health in these patients, and furthermore, to use this information to develop improved screening tools for stroke risk and decisions about surgery.

MMD is a condition with narrowing and blockage of major arteries in the brain and people with MMD have a high risk of stroke. Neurosurgical revascularization surgery is usually recommended to provide more blood flow to the brain and hopefully prevent further strokes. The primary goal of this study to improve the understanding of response to neurosurgical treatment and disease improvement or progression by using innovative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods to assess brain blood flow and oxygen use in adults with idiopathic MMD before and after they have surgery. The study will recruit 100 adults with idiopathic MMD, aged 18-60 years, from neurosurgery clinics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Johns Hopkins Hospital, as well as 20 healthy controls. Participants will undergo comprehensive evaluations including MRI, cognitive exams, and optional blood and urine collection. More specifically, the proposal involves the development and application of MRI methods for visualizing hemodynamic and metabolic relationships in adults suffering from idiopathic moyamoya disease. As part of the research study, participants will undergo 1-2 MRI scans at a field strength of 3 Tesla. Each scan session will last approximately one hour, which will include the time when the volunteers rehearse the experiment outside of the scanner, time for the volunteers to be comfortably placed in the scanner, scanning (including one scan where blood flow and oxygenation will be measured before and during a mild hypercapnic stimulus), and finally time for the participants to slowly exit the scan room. Moyamoya participants may also undergo surgical revascularization and catheter angiography using digital subtraction angiography (DSA). These procedures are clinically indicated and will be performed as part of clinical care, and therefore are not research procedures. Therefore, the risks relevant to this study pertain to the research procedures only, which are comprised of non-invasive MRI scans, neurological exams, as well as cognitive testing. Neurological assessments will utilize the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the modified Rankin Score (mRS) to evaluate disability. Neurocognitive testing will be completed to assess multiple cognitive domains. Participants are not randomized to an intervention or study group but studying cerebral blood flow changes is considered a basic experimental study involving humans (BESH) clinical trial by the National Institutes of Health that funds this study. The study uses commercial MRI approaches and data-driven software approaches to ensure the tools are generalizable across medical centers. This comprehensive approach aims to identify which patients require specific treatments and understand what contributes to positive responses. Planned surgery for MMD is an inclusion criteria for this study for MMD participants. Again, surgery will be performed as a part of clinical care and is not a research procedure. Therefore, the risks relevant to this study pertain to the research procedures only, which are comprised of non-invasive MRI scans, neurological exams, as well as cognitive testing, blood and urine samples.