Metabolic and Hemodynamic Reserve in Pediatric SCA

Launched by WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · May 27, 2020

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on understanding how changes in blood flow and metabolism affect brain development in children with Sickle Cell Anemia (SCA) compared to healthy children. Researchers want to learn how the brain's blood vessels react when the brain needs more oxygen, which can happen during everyday activities like exercise or when a child is stressed or ill. By using MRI scans, they will look at how well blood vessels can expand to increase blood flow when needed. This is important because if the brain doesn't get enough oxygen, it could slow down development or even lead to strokes, sometimes without obvious symptoms.

Children aged 4 to 21 who either have Sickle Cell Anemia or are healthy can participate in this study. To be eligible, healthy participants should not have any serious psychiatric issues or a history of stroke, while SCA participants must have certain types of sickle cell disease and no other vascular conditions. During the study, participants will undergo an MRI, have a blood sample taken, complete cognitive tests, and answer some brief questionnaires. The team will also use a special mask to help control the amount of carbon dioxide they breathe in, which is part of testing how their blood vessels respond. This research aims to improve our understanding of brain health in children with Sickle Cell Anemia.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Healthy Controls:
• • Healthy controls ages 4-21 years of age
• • Able to participate in MRI scan without sedation
• • Not currently pregnant
• • No significant psychiatric history, defined as having a severe psychiatric diagnosis, per PI discretion
• • No history of epilepsy
• • No history of stroke or cerebrovascular disease
• • May have occasional headaches if not taking a daily preventative medication for headaches
• • Not on vasodilatory medication, such as sildenafil or verapamil
• Sickle Cell Anemia Participants:
• • Ages 4-21 years of age
• • Hb SS or SBeta-thal
• • Able to participate in MRI scan without sedation
• • Not currently pregnant
• • Not on vasodilatory medication, such as sildenafil or verapamil
• • No known vasculopathy