NCT02435810 · National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Inflammatory and Infectious Diseases of the Nervous System
What this study is about
Background: \- Inflammation is how the body reacts to infection or injury. Infections or inflammation in the brain and nerves can be serious. There aren t always good tests to detect this. Researchers want to learn more about how diseases affect the brain and nerves to develop better tests and treatments.
View original scientific description
Background: \- Inflammation is how the body reacts to infection or injury. Infections or inflammation in the brain and nerves can be serious. There aren t always good tests to detect this. Researchers want to learn more about how diseases affect the brain and nerves to develop better tests and treatments. Objective: \- To learn more about how inflammation and infections hurt the brain and nervous system. Eligibility: \- People at least 2 years old with a diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of nervous system infection or inflammation. Design: * For some participants, a clinician outside of NIH will collect blood, tissue, and other samples. These will be sent to NIH and analyzed. * Other participants will have several visits to NIH. Children may not have all these tests. * Participants will have: * Medical history. * Physical and neurological exam. * Blood and urine samples collected. * Saliva collected. They will chew on a piece of sterile cotton for one minute. * Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. The scanner is a metal cylinder in a strong magnetic field. Participants will lie on a table that slides in and out of the cylinder. Participants will get a contrast agent through an intravenous (IV) catheter during the MRI. A needle will be used to guide a thin plastic tube (catheter) into an arm vein. * Lumbar puncture. Skin will be numbed and a needle will be inserted into the space between the bones in the back. Fluid will be removed. * Some participants may have optional study procedures. These may include eye tests, memory and thinking testing, tests with electrodes on the head, or skin biopsy.
Primary outcome measures
This is a natural history study of individual cases
Time frame: 12 months after the last participant is enrolled.
To describe the natural history of inflammatory and infectious diseases of the nervous system and to investigate the relative contribution of underlying pathophysiological processes to morbidity, response to treatment and outcomes.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- At the time of enrollment, participants will:
- Have a known or suspected infection or inflammation of the nervous system or post infection sequelae based on clinical or imaging data provided by the referral facility. For the purpose of this study, neuroinfectious disease or neuroinflammation is defined as any of the following:
- fever with nervous system signs or symptoms (excluding delirium)
- any neurological symptoms accompanied by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with evidence of inflammation (which may include pleocytosis, hypoglycorrachia, elevated protein, or other evidence of intrathecal immune activation including IgG index or presence of oligoclonal bands)
- systemic infection or inflammatory disease with neurological involvement
- neuroimaging suggestive of infection or inflammation (for example, presence of contrast-enhancing lesions on CT or MRI)
- clinical presentation suggestive of infection or inflammatory process of the nervous system without better explanation
- history of infection or inflammatory process of the nervous system
- Be willing to participate in the protocol s procedures, unless clinically contraindicated
- Be willing to provide informed consent, either directly or via appointed legally authorized representative
- Be willing to consent for collection of clinical data or biological samples or their cryopreservation
- Be at least 2 years old INCLUSION CRITERIA FOR PROCESSING OF BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES ONLY: At the time of enrollment, participants will:
- Have a known or suspected infection or inflammation of the nervous system or post infection sequelae based on clinical or imaging data provided by the referral facility. For the purpose of this study, neuroinfectious disease or neuroinflammation is defined as any of the following:
- fever with nervous system signs or symptoms (excluding delirium)
- any neurological symptoms accompanied by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with evidence of inflammation (which may include pleocytosis, hypoglycorrachia, elevated protein, or other evidence of intrathecal immune activation including IgG index or presence of oligoclonal bands)
- systemic infection or inflammatory disease with neurological involvement
- neuroimaging suggestive of infection or inflammation (for example, presence of contrast-enhancing lesions on CT or MRI)
- clinical presentation suggestive of infection or inflammatory process of the nervous system without better explanation
- history of infection or inflammatory process of nervous system
- Be willing to provide informed consent, either directly or via appointed legally authorized representative
- Be willing to consent for collection of clinical data or biological samples or their cryopreservation
- Be at least 2 years old
Exclusion criteria
- At the time of enrollment, participants will:
- Not have a clinically significant medical condition that, in the best judgment of the investigators, may expose the patient to undue risk of harm or prevent the patient from completing the study (examples include, but are not limited to, ischemic cardiomyopathy, clotting disorder, brittle diabetes)
- Not have an acute or unstable medical condition that, in the best judgement of the investigator, would be difficult to handle at the NIH Clinical Center
- Not have a clearly-established diagnosis of well-characterized disease entity with validated treatment algorithms for which proposed resource investment, in the opinion of the investigators, would not contribute to further advancement of knowledge EXCLUSION CRITERIA FOR PROCESSING OF BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES ONLY: At the time of enrollment, participants will not have: 1\. A clearly-established diagnosis of well-characterized disease entity with validated treatment algorithms for which proposed resource investment, in the opinion of the investigators, would not contribute to further advancement of knowledge INCLUSION CRITERIA FOR FAMILY MEMBERS:
- Have a family member enrolled on 15-N-0125
- Be at least 2 years old
- Be able to provide informed consent and comply with study procedures EXCLUSION CRITERIA FOR FAMILY MEMBERS: 1\. Not willing to consent for collection of biological samples or their cryopreservation
Where
- Bethesda, Maryland
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Jul 8, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations