The UCLA Stroke Center / Neurovascular Program supports a wide-ranging research program to pioneer and refine new diagnostic modalities and treatments for cerebrovascular disease. Research highlights include:

• ACUTE STROKE RESEARCH -- Patients can participate in clinical trials of multiple novel clot dissolving regimens and neuroprotective agents, and a UCLA study of neuroperfusion (a procedure that reverses blood flow through cerebral veins). These trials are supported by the National Institute of Health, nonprofit organizations, and pharmaceutical sponsors.
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• ANGIOPLASTY -- UCLA was the first center in the United States to participate in a randomized, controlled trial of carotid and vertebral artery angioplasty. Additional trials of combined angioplasty and stenting are planned for initiation in the next two years.
• BRAIN MONITORING -- In the intensive care unit and operating room, the Stroke Center is developing new computerized techniques of continuously monitoring cerebral physiology employing evoked potentials, electroencephalographic frequency trending, transcranial Doppler ultrasound, and xenon-133 cerebral blood flow. Remote brain monitoring is being developed to allow Internet access to physiological recordings.
• NEUROPROTECTION -- The Stroke Center is at the forefront in translating recent remarkable advances in understanding the molecular basis of ischemic neuronal injury into practical clinical therapies. Patient trials of seven promising neuroprotective agents have been conducted in the last two years, with promising results. Pivotal phase III trials of favorable agents and combined thrombolytic-neuroprotective trials will be carried out during the next two years.
• NOVEL INTERVENTIONAL NEURORADIOLOGY TECHNIQUES -- Guido Guglielmi, M. D., Ph.D., developed at UCLA the GDC (Guglielmi detachable coil), now a standard alternative or supplement to neurosurgery for the treatment of brain aneurysms. New coils are being created and refined. The Stroke Center's interventional neuroradiology program is also developing novel catheters, alloys, and techniques for occluding abnormal cerebral vessels and reopening stenoed vessels. Advanced computer modeling of aneurysms is being pioneered to enable virtual reality aneurysm investigation and treatment
• UCLA CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW LABORATORY -- The Stroke Center is supported by one of the world's busiest clinical/research cerebral blood flow laboratories. The CBF Laboratory has demonstrated that patients' cerebrovascular status can be precisely quantified using transcranial Doppler, xenon-CT, and, in selected cases, PET scanning. Continous recording of brain blood flow and metabolism in the operating room and the ICU is being optimized using a newly developed transcranial Doppler monitoring package and jugular bulb oximetry. NIH-supported cutting-edge research is being conducted on brain-injury-induced cerebrovascular and metabolic pathology.
• THROMBOLYSIS -- UCLA is a leading center worldwide in developing thrombolytic ("clot-busting") therapies for acute ischemic stroke. Studies planned for the coming year include protocols to enhance vessel recanalization and patient outcome by delivering tPA through both intravenous and intra-arterial (catheter-administered) routes.
• STATE OF THE ART CEREBROVASCULAR NEURORADIOLOGY -- Cutting edge neuroimaging techniques are being used to evaluate patients with cerebrovascular disease at UCLA. These include Diffusion/Perfusion MRI which shows signs of an actue infarct within minutes of symptom onset.