Clinical Research Directory

Continuous Blood Pressure Variability and Small Vessel Disease in Acute Ischemic Stroke

This prospective observational cohort study examines whether blood pressure variability and nighttime blood pressure patterns, measured non-invasively over 72 hours with a cuffless ring-type wearable device, help predict recovery in patients with acute ischemic stroke. In acute ischemic stroke, how much blood pressure fluctuates - and whether it drops normally during sleep - may affect brain injury and outcome. Standard cuff monitors measure blood pressure only intermittently and can disturb sleep, which limits assessment of these patterns. This study uses a finger-worn cuffless continuous monitor to capture blood pressure without disturbing sleep. The study also examines whether the burden of pre-existing cerebral small vessel disease, seen as white matter changes on brain MRI, changes how strongly blood pressure variability relates to outcome. Blood pressure data are collected for research analysis only and are not used to guide treatment. All clinical care follows standard stroke guidelines, regardless of study participation. The main outcome is functional recovery (modified Rankin Scale) at hospital discharge.

Use of Gou-Teng to Treat Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a pre-dementia condition commonly occurs in elderly people. As Hong Kong has become an aged society, the prevalence of dementia and MCI in Hong Kong has increased substantially in recent decades. To date, no effective pharmacological therapies are available for MCI, and there exists a need for exploring complementary treatment for this age-related condition. Preclinical studies have identified Uncaria rhynchophylla (Gouteng in Chinese) to have promising neuroprotective effect in Alzheimer's disease experimental models. Objective: To assess the effectiveness and the safety of oral administration of Uncaria rhynchophylla for MCI in older people in Hong Kong. Study design: This is a double-blinded, randomized, placebo controlled pilot study. 56 patients with MCI will be randomized into two groups i.e. Uncaria rhynchophylla and placebo groups. All subjects will receive treatment twice a day for a consecutive 16 weeks.

Measuring Brain Health Using Low-Field Portable MRI

The purpose of this study is to develop a new grading scale and utilize automated segmentation for measurement of White Matter Hyperintensity (WMH) volume using a low field MRI.

Statins in Reducing Events in the Elderly Mind (STAREE-Mind) Imaging Substudy

The STAREE-Mind imaging sub-study will examine the effect of statin treatment over a 4-year period, compared with placebo, on markers of brain health.

Antiplatelet Therapy and Endothelial-stabilizing Agents in Cerebral Small Vessel Diseases

Cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) is a common accompaniment of aging. Recent small subcortical (or lacunar) infarcts (i.e. symptomatic cSVD) and white matter hyperintensities are typical cSVD lesions on neuroimaging. cSVD causes about a quarter of ischaemic strokes and related with cognitive dysfunction. However, few studies are available so far to especially explore the treatment of cSVD. Endothelial dysfunction plays an important part in cSVD. Cilostazol and isosorbide mononitrate have endothelial protective function. We designed this prospective cohort study in China, aiming to evaluate the effect of different antiplatelet agents (e.g. Cilostazol) on cSVD and retina in patients with cSVD (recent small subcortical infarcts or WMH, respectively).