Brain Dynamics in Response to Jugular Vein Compression

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Concussion, Mild
• Interventions: Device: Q Collar

• Registration Number: NCT03236389
• Lead Sponsor: Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati

Brief Summary

Clinical trials have suggested that this device is effective in mitigating changes in brain structure and function in athlete populations. The purpose of the current study is to better understand the underlying mechanistic response of the brain hemodynamics to mild jugular vein compression

Detailed Description

Significant morbidity, mortality, and related costs are caused by traumatic brain injury (TBI). A simple, effective, and lightweight device worn by athletes or war fighters in the field, designed to mitigate TBI resulting from blast trauma or concussive events, would save lives, and the huge costs currently being experienced for life-treatment of surviving victims. An externally-worn medical device (the Device) that applies mild jugular vein compression according to the principle of the Queckenstedt Maneuver, is being developed by Q30 Sports Science, LLC (Q30). Preliminary research suggests that the Device has the potential to reduce the likelihood of TBI. The currently developed collar (Smith 2009, Smith and Fisher 2011, Smith and Fisher 2011, Smith 2012) has been approved for studies in humans (IRB 2013-2240) and the results indicate safety for use during high demand and maximal exertion activities. Regarding safety, the externally worn collar is meticulously designed to mimic the body's own omohyoid muscle actions upon the jugular veins that will provide similar pressure and volume increases not to surpass that of a yawn or the mere act of just lying down. Initial safety testing and early clinical trials indicate that the collar application is both safe and efficacious to prevent brain microstructure and neurophysiological changes in response to head impacts.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2016-09
• Study First Submitted: 2017-01-10
• Study First Submitted QC: 2017-07-31
• Study First Posted: 2017-08-01
• Primary Completion: 2020-12
• Study Completion: 2020-12
• Status Verified: 2023-01
• Last Update Submitted: 2023-01-24
• Last Update Posted: 2023-01-26

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

• Normal healthy volunteer aged 7-40
• Able to provide written consent
• Able to tolerate hypercapnia for 1-2 minutes

Exclusion Criteria

• Unable to provide written consent
• History of neurological deficits, previous cerebral infarction, or severe head trauma as indicated through pre-season screening:
• Medical contraindications to restriction of venous outflow via the internal jugular veins (known increased intracerebral pressure, metabolic acidosis or alkalosis)
• Glaucoma (Narrow Angle or Normal Tension)
• Hydrocephalus
• Recent penetrating brain trauma (within 6 months)
• Known carotid hypersensitivity
• Known increased intracranial pressure
• Central vein thrombosis
• Any known airway obstruction
• Any known seizure disorder

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Collar Wearing	Q Collar	subjects will wear collar during MRI testing

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Changes in brain structure while wearing Q collar seen via MRI	immediate	measure changes in brain structure on MRI

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center; 🇺🇸 Cincinnati, Ohio, United States