SNPSR
The Swiss Neuropaediatric Stroke Registry is a population based registry from the Swiss Society of Neuropaediatrics with the study center in Bern. The register is running since January 2000 and up to date more than 800 children are registered.
Background
Every child living in Switzerland from birth to 16 years who suffered an acute stroke or sinuous venous thrombosis is registered. Data on manifestation, risk profile, neuroimaging, treatment and outcome are collected and analysed on different aspects. A list of publications coming out from these data are here.
Current work is done on the special aspects of posterior stroke by focal cerebral arteriopathy of the inflammatory type, seizures in children after stroke. In addition, there are two study running who have the focus to analyse the underlying vasculopathy in children with stroke. See also in section Acute Neurology.
HERO-Study and HERO-Long Study
The HERO-Study (Steinlin, Grunt, Everts) investigates functional recovery after stroke in childhood in a cross-section (HERO-Study) as well as in a longitudinal way (HERO-Long Study). The HERO-Study is financed – among others – from the Swiss National Science Foundation (Grant Nr 146894). We aim to determine neuroplasticity of the child’s brain after pediatric stroke using cognitive assessments, motor examinations, structural and functional MRI and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). For example, we analyze the impact of age at stroke on cognitive long-term outcome. Our research gives insight into neural recovery and long-term outcome of children after stroke and will help to adapt rehabilitation strategies. For a publication list resulting from the HERO-Study click here.
PASTA-Trial
The study is a multicenter, parallel group, two-arm, randomized-controlled, clinical trial with blinded outcome comparing a high dose course of methylprednisolone/prednisolone plus standard of care (SC) with SC alone in children with unilateral arteriopathy and acute ischemic stroke. The aim of the trial is to show, that children with first stroke event due to unilateral focal cerebral arteriopathy treated with a combination of high dose steroid and aspirin, will have better and quicker recovery of arteriopathy, better clinical functional outcome, and less recurrence compared to children treated with aspirin alone.T he primary outcome will be the change in FCA Severity Score (FCASS) from baseline to 1 month, compared between two study arms. The sample size was set at 70 children.
This study will provide high-level evidence for most appropriate treatment for children with AIS due to FCA. This is very important in view of the marked neurological, social and economic burden of childhood AIS for patients and families. This project has been identified as the most important AIS treatment trial by a Delphi survey of international pediatric stroke experts and is one of the most important research priorities identified by parents. In addition, the study will provide insights into the pathogenesis of inflammatory vasculopathies.