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Brain metastasis (BrM) develops in approximately 40% of cancer patients. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a form of radiotherapy that delivers high-dose per fraction to individual lesions that is commonly used to treat BrM. Radionecrosis (RN) is an adverse event that occurs in approximately 10 - 25% of patients 6 - 24 months after treatment with SRS. Tumour progression may also occur due to local failure of treatment. Radionecrosis and tumour progression share very similar clinical features including vomiting, nausea, and focal neurologic findings. Radionecrosis and tumour progression also share overlapping imaging characteristics. Due to their similarities, physicians need to perform a surgical resection to diagnose the complication. By using a hybrid FLT-PET/MRI scan, the investigators propose that this combination scan will provide robust data with which to differentiate between radionecrosis and tumour progression without the need for surgery. The investigators plan to conduct a single center feasibility study to investigate the potential in differentiating between SRS and tumour progression in patients, including those who may have previously undergone SRS for BrM, who are suspected to have either RN or tumour progression using hybrid FLT-PET/MRI imaging.

Conditions:
Brain Metastases | Radionecrosis
Location:
  • University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Sex:
ALL
Ages:
18 - 100

This is a Phase III, double-blind, placebo-controlled, safety and efficacy study of daily SC metreleptin in subjects with Partial Lipodystrophy.

Conditions:
Partial Lipodystrophy
Location:
  • Nova Scotia Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Faculty of Medicine, Universite Laval, Québec, Quebec, Canada
  • Ecogene-21, Chicoutimi, Quebec, Canada
  • Hamilton General Hospital- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
  • London Health Science Centre, London, Ontario, Canada
Sex:
ALL
Ages:
Over 12

Food preferences are defined by a number of measurable parameters, such as per se food choices, sensitivity of taste and olfactory sensory perceptions, hedonic appreciation of foods ("liking") and motivation to consume them ("wanting"). These food preferences are fundamental to the quality of food intake, and are therefore a key factor influencing weight loss or maintenance of a stable weight. Obesity is also associated with reduced sensory sensitivity to taste and smell, as well as disturbances in the responses of the food reward system. However, the internal, or physiological, mechanisms impacting these food preferences are still poorly understood. To date, several studies seem to point to the role of body composition, in particular visceral adiposity, or adiposity surrounding the digestive organs. Indeed, a high level of visceral adiposity is associated with the onset of numerous cardiometabolic disorders, but also with altered sensory perceptions. This relationship could be mediated by the vagus nerve, which connects the digestive organs to the brain, enabling the perception of internal signals sent by the body, such as feelings of hunger or satiety. Low vagal activity is associated not only with abdominal obesity, but also with reduced sensory sensitivity to taste and smell, and changes in food choices in favor of energy-dense foods (rich in fats and/or sugars). Electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve is now recognized as a possible treatment for morbid obesity in the USA, but the mechanisms leading to the expected weight loss are still debated. Similarly, an increase in vagal tone has been found in patients who have undergone bariatric surgery for the treatment of severe complicated to morbid obesity, in parallel with sensory disturbances. The overall aim of this project is to explore and confirm the relationship between visceral adiposity and various food preference parameters, such as olfactory and gustatory perceptions and reward system responses, involving liking and wanting certain foods and associated behaviors. This project also aims to shed light on the possible mediation of the vagus nerve in this relationship.

Conditions:
Eating Behavior | Adiposity | Food Preferences
Location:
  • IUCPQ, Québec, Quebec, Canada
Sex:
ALL
Ages:
18 - 45

Obesity has been increasing all over the world. This has lead to a significant increase of a liver disease in children called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is a liver disease that ranges from excess fat being stored in the liver to an inflamed and fatty liver with fibrosis to cirrhosis. NAFLD is thought to be caused by changes in energy, fat and carbohydrate metabolism induced by diets high in in processed foods. Sugary (especially high fructose corn syrup or HFCS) and fatty foods in processed foods have been shown to produce more insulin resistance, a factor that is thought to cause a fatty liver. Currently the main treatment for NAFLD is weight loss. However, it unknown the best way to achieve this. The investigator has shown previously that adolescents with NAFLD eat a lot of fatty and sugary foods, and that when they decrease the amount of foods they eat that contain HFCS, experience some improvements in insulin resistance and liver dysfunction even when they don't lose weight. The plan is to compare and contrast how two different diets (high vs low HFCS containing diets) may affect how much fat gets deposited in the liver and whether or not a lower diet in HFCS can help decrease liver damage in adolescents with NAFLD.

Conditions:
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Location:
  • Clinical Research Unit, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Sex:
ALL
Ages:
12 - 18

There is currently little symptomatic therapy for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and nothing effective for individuals with Frontotemporal dementia (FTD). However, neuromodulation with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has the potential to be a clinically effective therapy for both AD and FTD. The challenge now is to specify the parameters and conditions under which tDCS is most effective to transition from the laboratory to clinical medicine. tDCS studies typically report significant group effects despite the variability demonstrated among participants, with some showing clear, meaningful improvement, while others only show statistical improvement or none at all. These variable results may be related to the conventional stimulation intensity level of 2mA. The investigators predict that administering tDCS at 4.0 mA, a more significant number of participants would show a meaningful response, and those who improve at 2mA may improve even more from 4.0mA due to having a larger electric field produced. The investigators aim to test this hypothesis in people with Alzheimer's Disease.

Conditions:
Alzheimer Disease
Location:
  • Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Sex:
ALL
Ages:
50 - 90

Primary orthostatic tremor (POT) is a rare movement disorder that is manifested through high frequency tremor of weight bearing limbs. This is often accompanied by a debilitating sensation of falling. POT has been linked to abnormal activity of the cerebellum, a structure deep within the brain. However, established non-invasive brain stimulation techniques can only modulate brain activity and plasticity in superficial brain areas with low spatial resolution. This limits their efficacy when targeting the cerebellum. In contrast, low intensity focused ultrasound (LIFUS) is a novel non-invasive brain stimulation technique that permits stimulation with high spatial focality and can reach greater depth compared other methods. Therefore, LIFUS is well suited to modulate cerebellar activity and has the potential to be a superior technique for the management of POT. This study will investigate the effectiveness of MRI-guided bilateral cerebellar LIFUS stimulation for the treatment of POT and evaluate the underlying changes in brain circuits caused by the stimulation. Comparisons between symptoms and connectivity of brain circuits pre- and post-stimulation will be conducted to assess the effects of cerebellar LIFUS. The effects of real stimulation will also be compared to sham stimulation. This study is the first to apply LIFUS for neuromodulation in POT and will be critical in developing therapeutic LIFUS protocols.

Conditions:
Orthostatic Tremor
Location:
  • Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Sex:
ALL
Ages:
18 - 90

Though common, morbidities related to upper airway disease in primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) and primary immunodeficiencies (PID) have not been fully characterized. These conditions can be difficult to distinguish due to their overlapping phenotypes. The sinonasal and middle ear features are often identified as most problematic by patients and their families, and optimal, highly effective treatment regimens have not been established. The main objective of this project is to characterize and compare the upper airway phenotypes in individuals with confirmed diagnosis of PCD and PID, and to collect critical data to inform the design of future clinical trials of treatment of the upper airway diseases. The investigators anticipate that these investigations will discern the clinical, anatomical, and pathophysiological phenotypes of paranasal sinus disease in PCD and PID, identifying disease endpoints and biomarkers that differentiate these two overlapping disorders. Findings from these studies will also enhance our understanding of middle ear disease and associated hearing loss in a cross-sectional cohort of patients with PCD and PID. Ultimately, the long-term goal of our Consortium is to elucidate underlying phenotypes and genotypes of these diseases, potentially leading to novel therapeutics that will improve the lives of affected individuals. Given the COVID pandemic, certain procedures will have the option to be converted to telehealth visits to ensure compliance with local guidelines and participant safety.

Conditions:
Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia | Primary Immune Deficiency | Kartagener Syndrome
Location:
  • McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
  • The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Sex:
ALL
Ages:
5 - 45

One of the most common problems in people with diabetes (DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the high frequency of other coinciding medical conditions such as osteoporosis and frailty. Frailty in particular is very common in adults with DM and CKD and it can result in significant muscle weakness which can result in increasing difficulties with performing activities of daily life (ADL). This can lead to an increase risk for falls, bone fractures and increasing hospitalization. The investigators have showed that adults with DM and CKD who have frailty use hospital services more frequently, have reduced quality of life and difficulties with performing their ADLs1. There is some evidence that early screening for frailty and lifestyle interventions that focus on healthier eating and physical activity can help prevent frailty from getting worse. The study purpose is to develop and test a home-based lifestyle intervention program focused on optimizing diet and the ability to perform your ADLs in adults with DM and CKD. The goal of this program is to ensure that adults with DM can live healthier lives within the community.

Conditions:
Diabetes Type 2 | Kidney Diseases | Frailty
Location:
  • Diabetic Nephropathy Prevention Clinic - Alberta Kidney Care - North, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Sex:
ALL
Ages:
50 - 85

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about in brain "fog" complaints associated with long-COVID in people aged 22-50-years. The main questions it aims to answer are: * the natural course of brain "fog" complaints * the effect, if any of supplemental dietary oil on brain "fog" complaints Participants will be asked to undergo some brain testing (X-rays and questions. Treatments they'll be given will be one of two supplemental oils to consume daily. Researchers will compare outcomes in the two different oil groups to see if it has any effect on brain "fog" complaints.

Conditions:
Long COVID
Location:
  • University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Sex:
ALL
Ages:
22 - 50

Sexual health is a vital component of gynecologic cancer treatment and survivorship. Unfortunately, most gynecologic cancer survivors lack sufficient information about the impact of cancer on sexual health and treatment opportunities. This research aims to assess how well an adapted online health intervention meets the sexual health needs of gynecologic cancer survivors and to test the efficacy of the new platform. If successful, eSense-Cancer may increase access to treatment for gynecologic cancer survivors, including those living in remote areas or facing other accessibility barriers. It may also fill healthcare gaps for survivors of varying ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and gender.

Conditions:
Gynecologic Cancers
Location:
  • University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Sex:
FEMALE
Ages:
Over 19