RecruitingNCT06740942

Imaging and Serological Biomarkers of Autonomic Dysfunction After Ischemic Stroke

Sponsor

Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf

Enrollment

100 participants

Start Date

Aug 4, 2025

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Conditions

Acute Ischemic Stroke Transient Ischemic Attack

Summary

The goal of this observational study is to * to investigate the prevalence and time course of autonomic dysfunction in acute ischemic stroke patients; * to evaluate the influence of lesion location on autonomic dysfunction; * to identify patterns of structural and functional brain connectivity within the central autonomic control circuits associated with autonomic dysfunction; and * to explore causal models of the link between brain lesions; cardiac, immunological and endocrine biomarkers; and dysautonomia. Researchers will compare patients with acute ischemic stroke to patients with transient ischemic attacks to study the effect of acute ischemic brain lesions. Participants will * undergo cardiovascular autonomic function testing; * receive structural and functional MR imaging; * provide blood samples for determinaton of serological biomarkers auf dysautonomia.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Inclusion Criteria7

Diagnosis of either
acute ischemic stroke with either an ischemic lesion visible on CT/MRI or persistent focal deficits 24 hours after symptom onset, or
Transient ischemic attack with transient clinical deficits including motor or speech disturbance and not restricted to isolated vertigo/dizziness, visual disturbance, or sensory disturbance.
symptom onset within 72h prior to hospital admission,
a pre-stroke/TIA ability to walk without help from another person (modified Rankin scale score < 4),
age > 18 years, and
informed consent by either the patient or a legal representative (including a spouse)

Exclusion Criteria7

In-hospital stroke,
contraindications to MR imaging (e.g., claustrophobia, pregnancy, pacemakers, implants),
known moderate to severe dementia,
previous structural brain damage (except leukoariosis due to cerebral small vessel disease),
hemodynamically relevant stenosis of the common or internal carotid artery, or
left heart failure with estimated left ventricular ejection fraction < 50%,
concomitant systemic illness that can lead to dysautonomia, such as an active infection, thyroid disease, or neurodegenerative disorder (e.g. PD, MSA).