Screening for early-onset amyloid-related cerebral haemorrhage (SEARCH)
Who it’s for: Survivors of stroke
What it involves: Test a new method
Location: In-person VIC
Summary
Bleeding in the brain can happen in younger adults, and in many cases no clear cause is found. One possible cause is cerebral amyloid angiopathy, a condition where a protein builds up in blood vessels.
This study from The Florey Institute of Neuroscience aims to find out whether tests such as brain scans (PET) and blood tests can help detect amyloid earlier in people aged 18–70 who have had a brain bleed.
Eligibility
- Aged 18 to 70 years old
- Have had a spontaneous brain bleed and your stroke happened within the past 5 years
- Have had brain scans.
Activity
Participants may take part in some or all study activities. These include:
- Screening visit (1 hour) – interview about medical history and previous stroke
- Questionnaires and neurological examination, memory and thinking tests, saliva sample (optional), blood test (optional) for amyloid markers and DNA analysis (70 minutes)
- PET brain scan visit to look for amyloid (90 minutes)
- Lumbar puncture (optional) to collect spinal fluid for amyloid markers (15 minutes + 1 hour observation)
- Access to prior scans (CT/MRI) that were already done as part of normal care.
All procedures use standard medical techniques. Participants complete study activities at Austin Health and Alfred Health in Melbourne, Victoria.
- Some screening and discussions can occur via phone, but all study procedures occur in hospital.
- Participants can combine visits if preferred.
Contact
Nerida Larkin, Research Assistant, Florey Institute of Neuroscience
Phone: 03 9035 7095
Email: nerida.larkin@florey.edu.au