Actively Recruiting

Age: 18Years - 100Years
All Genders
ID04188522

Imaging the Network: Using MEG to Determine the Pathophysiology Underlying Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment

Led by Johns Hopkins University · Updated on 2026-06-05

55

Participants Needed

1

Research Sites

N/A

Total Duration

On this page

Sponsors

J

Johns Hopkins University

Lead Sponsor

U

University of Maryland, College Park

Collaborating Sponsor

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating cognitive recovery after minor stroke using magnetoencephalography (MEG). Many patients with minor stroke report difficulties with attention, concentration, multitasking, energy, and processing speed that are not explained by lesion size or location. This study aims to better understand these cognitive challenges and the brain activity changes underlying recovery over time by comparing stroke patients to age-matched controls. Participants include adults admitted with minor ischemic stroke who will undergo MEG scans at 1 month and 6 months post-stroke, with an additional follow-up at 12 months. MEG recordings will measure brain activity during rest and cognitive tasks like visual naming. The study involves detailed head shape mapping and uses a 275-channel MEG system to localize brain activity, with breaks between recording runs. Controls without neurological disease will also be studied for comparison. Participants will have scheduled visits around 4-6 weeks post-stroke and at 6 and 12 months for clinical follow-up and testing. Assessments include brain imaging with MEG, cognitive tests like the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and reaction time measurements. Data will be collected to analyze cerebral activation patterns and their association with cognitive function and recovery over time. The study plans to enroll up to 40 stroke patients and 15 controls, with monitoring over a year.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Imaging Post-Stroke Recovery: Using MEG to Evaluate Cognition

Who Can Participate

Age: 18Years - 100Years
All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible

You may qualify if you...

  • Adults aged 18 years or older admitted to Bayview Medical Center Neurology
  • Confirmed acute ischemic stroke (lacunar stroke or small branch occlusion) or NIH Stroke Scale score 3 on admission
  • Competent English speaker prior to stroke
  • Able to return for follow-up 4-6 weeks post stroke (+/- 4 weeks)
  • Cognitive deficits present on initial testing
  • Willing to travel to University of Maryland twice for MEG testing
  • Fully independent and able to travel unassisted to MEG visits
Not Eligible

You will not qualify if you...

  • Primary intracerebral hemorrhage on CT or MRI
  • Previous neurological disease such as dementia, multiple sclerosis, or prior symptomatic stroke (except incidental asymptomatic lacunar strokes)
  • Uncorrected hearing or visual loss
  • Large vessel occlusion
  • Presence of pacemaker, intracranial clips, metal implants, or external clips within 10 mm of the head
  • Claustrophobia, obesity, or other conditions making MEG testing difficult
  • For controls: history of stroke, neurological dysfunction, or psychiatric disease

AI-Screening

AI-Powered Screening

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Your Study Journey

Screening

Duration - 2 to 4 weeks

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.

1 visit (in-person)

Diagnostic Evaluation

Duration - Approximately 1 day per MEG visit

Participants undergo MEG testing at the University of Maryland to measure brain activity at rest and during cognitive tasks, including a visual naming test and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA).

2 visits (in-person) approximately 1 month and 6 months post-stroke

Long-term Monitoring

Duration - Up to 12 months post-stroke

Participants continue routine follow-up appointments and testing post-stroke to monitor recovery and cognitive function.

Routine clinical follow-up visits at approximately 6 months and 12 months post-stroke

Trial Site Locations

Total: 1 location

1

Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center

Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21210

Actively Recruiting

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Research Team

E

Elisabeth B Marsh, MD

How is the study designed?

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Masking

N/A

Allocation

N/A

Model

N/A

Primary Purpose

N/A

Number of Arms

2

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Published Research Related To This Trial

Pre-stroke employment results in better patient-reported outcomes after minor stroke: Short title: Functional outcomes after minor stroke.

Elisabeth B Marsh, Erin Lawrence, Argye E Hillis...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29306185

Poststroke acute dysexecutive syndrome, a disorder resulting from minor stroke due to disruption of network dynamics.

Elisabeth B Marsh, Christian Brodbeck, Rafael H Llinas...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33318200