Longitudinal Study for Central Nervous System Vasculitis

Recruiting

• Conditions: CNS Vasculitis; Vasculitis; Central Nervous System Vasculitis; CNSV

• Registration Number: NCT05734404
• Lead Sponsor: University of Pennsylvania

Brief Summary

Primary central nervous system vasculitis (CNSV) is a potentially fatal, single-organ vasculitis that often involves a spectrum of neurologic complications, including strokes, cognitive and speech impairment, visual loss, dementia, and encephalopathy. The purpose of this study is to establish a research cohort to investigate the disease process, treatments, and patient outcomes in CNSV.

Detailed Description

Primary central nervous system vasculitis (CNSV) is a potentially fatal, single-organ vasculitis that often involves a spectrum of neurologic complications, including strokes, cognitive and speech impairment, visual loss, dementia, and encephalopathy. Originally described in the early 1950s, research in the disease has been slow to progress, largely limited by the rarity of the disease and the lack of biologic materials for basic and translational investigations. To date, the bulk of research in the field has been clinical, largely consisting of retrospective case series, predominately from single sites, focusing on correlations among clinical, imaging, and histopathology data. Collectively these series suggest the existence of clinically-relevant subsets. Such studies, while enhancing our knowledge of this rare disease, are limited by small numbers of patients (especially those confirmed by histopathology), and the near absence of detailed investigations into the biomolecular and immunopathogenic basis of the disease.

Development of this longitudinal cohort and multicenter approach offers the potential to generate new insights, generate new questions, and further our understanding of its natural history, pathophysiology, genetic basis, and discovery of biomarkers to assess disease activity and prognosis.

Study visits will occur every 3 months for this first year, and then annually for two more years. Blood collection will occur at every visit. A physical exam and medical and medication history will at every visit; also, participants will be asked to complete several questionnaires to assess disease activity, health status, and tobacco, alcohol, and drug use.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2023-02-08
• Study First Submitted QC: 2023-02-08
• Study First Posted: 2023-02-21
• Study Start: 2023-03-01
• Status Verified: 2025-02
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-02-25
• Last Update Posted: 2025-02-28
• Primary Completion: 2026-12-31
• Study Completion: 2026-12-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

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

Inclusion Criteria

i. Diagnostic criteria for CNSV

1. The presence of an acquired and otherwise unexplained neurologic deficit
2. The presence of either classic angiographic or histopathologic features of angiitis in the CNS
3. No evidence of systemic vasculitis or any condition that could cause the angiographic or pathologic features

ii. ≥18 years of age

Exclusion Criteria

i. Unwilling to sign informed consent.

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Evaluate the pathogenesis of central nervous system vasculitis using disease history.	Study completion; from baseline through month 36.	To study the manner of development of disease in patients affected with central nervous system vasculitis.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
PROMIS Questionnaires	Baseline, month 3, month 6, month 9, month 12, month 18, month 24, month 30, month 36	Questions will ask about Global Health (mental) on the PROMIS short form.

Trial Locations

Locations (5)

St. Joseph's Healthcare; 🇨🇦 Hamilton, Canada

University of Pennsylvania; 🇺🇸 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

University of Toronto/Sinai Health; 🇨🇦 Toronto, Canada

Vanderbilt University; 🇺🇸 Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Cleveland Clinic; 🇺🇸 Cleveland, Ohio, United States