Long-Term Neurologic and Neurocognitive Sequelae Following Pediatric Ebola Virus in Liberia

Launched by NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE (NINDS) · Feb 5, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the long-term effects of the Ebola virus on the brains and nervous systems of children who contracted the disease. Researchers want to understand how Ebola may have caused problems like headaches, weakness, and other issues that can last for years after recovery. To participate, individuals must have been under 18 years old when they were part of a previous study about Ebola and either be a survivor of the disease or a close contact of someone who survived.

Participants will visit a clinic where they will meet with a neurologist, perform physical tasks, and answer questions about their health since recovering from Ebola. They will also undergo tests to assess their memory and thinking skills, which may include solving puzzles and playing games on an iPad. This study aims to gather important information that can help improve care for those affected by Ebola in the long term.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• * INCLUSION CRITERIA:
• In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:
• • 1. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study.
• • 2. Male or female, previously enrolled in PREVAIL III Natural History of Ebola study as either an EVD survivor, or a close contact.\*
• • 3. Aged \< 18 Years Old at the time of enrollment in PREVAIL III Natural History of Ebola study.
• • 4. Ability of subject or Legally Authorized Representative (LAR) to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.
• • Close contacts are those who had a relationship with someone who survived EVD but were never diagnosed with EVD themselves.
• EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
• An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:
• • 1. At the time of enrollment, lacks consent capacity due to cognitive impairment that would make them incapable of understanding the explanation of the procedures in this study. Cognitive capacity to consent will be determined at the time of enrollment. Participants with mental disorders or those participants who are cognitively impaired yet still retain consent capacity will not be excluded.
• • 2. Is unable to comply with the procedures of the protocol.
• • 3. Has any condition in the judgement of the study staff that would make the volunteer unable to participate in the study.
• • 4. Is non-English speaking.
• • Justification for the Exclusion of Non-English Speakers
• • We plan to include speakers of simple Liberian English in this study. The tools we use for cognitive testing are not validated in any other language, other than English. It is expected that most, if not all, of the cohort we will be recruiting from will be simple Liberian English speakers.