Stimulation for Perinatal Stroke Optimizing Recovery Trajectories

Summary

Perinatal stroke causes lifelong neurological disability and most hemiparetic cerebral palsy (CP). With morbidity spanning diverse aspects of a child's life and lasting for decades, global impact is large, including 10000 Canadian children. With pathophysiology poorly understood and prevention strategies non-existent, the burden of hemiparetic CP will persist. Limited treatments lead to loss of hope for children and families, necessitating exploration of new therapies. The investigators have evidence that the investigators have a durable new treatment for perinatal stroke, combining non-invasive neurostimulation and child-centred intensive rehabilitation. Via the CHILD-BRIGHT SPOR national network, the investigators will execute a multicentre trial to prove this treatment can improve function in children with perinatal stroke and hemiparetic CP. Using novel advanced technologies not available elsewhere in the world, the investigators will explore how developmental plasticity determines function and response to neuromodulation therapy. This patient oriented effort will advance personalized, precision medicine in pediatric neurorehabilitation to improve outcomes for disabled children and their families.

Conditions

• Perinatal Stroke
• Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy

Interventions

DEVICE

Cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation

The primary intervention will be cathodal (inhibitory) tDCS over the contralesional M1. Soft, replaceable 25cm2 electrodes (Soterix, NYC) will be placed on clean, dry areas of the scalp. The cathode will be placed over the contralesional M1, precisely mapped for each patient using neuronavigated (Brainsight2, Rogue Research, Montreal QU) MRI-TMS co-registration over the hotspot for the contralateral first dorsal interosseous muscle. The current-controlled model stimulator (Soterix, NYC) will automatically ramp up slowly over 30 seconds to the treatment current of 1.0 milliamp. tDCS will be administered each day during the first 30 minutes of the daily 1:1 therapy sessions.

DEVICE

Sham transcranial direct current stimulation

Soft, replaceable 25cm2 electrodes (Soterix, NYC) will be placed on clean, dry areas of the scalp. The cathode will be placed over the contralesional M1, precisely mapped for each patient using neuronavigated (Brainsight2, Rogue Research, Montreal QU) MRI-TMS co-registration over the hotspot for the contralateral first dorsal interosseous muscle.The current-controlled model stimulator (Soterix, NYC) will automatically ramp up slowly over 30 seconds to the treatment current of 1.0 milliamp and then ramp down over 30 seconds to 0 milliamps. Sham will be administered each day during the first 30 minutes of the daily 1:1 therapy sessions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Alberta

  collaborator OTHER

• Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

  collaborator OTHER

• The Hospital for Sick Children

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Calgary

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Adam Kirton, MD · University of Calgary

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

6 Years

Max Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2017-07-21

Primary Completion

2023-03-18

Completion

2023-03-18

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations