MRI-changes in Morphometry and Cerebro Spinale Fluid (CSF) Flow in Spinal Cord Disorders

December 15, 2025 updated by: University of Zurich

Understanding the onset and progression of spinal cord disorders is an important aim in clinical neurology. An early diagnosis with consequent therapy might prevent the progression of disability. Therefore, we aim to determine structural and dynamic changes in the microstructure of the spinal cord and CSF, and to explore the relationships between the MRI parameters, clinical disability, and electrophysiology.

In some patients that undergo decompressive surgery CSF pressure will be measured invasive perioperative for 24h to find out if functional limitations and structural changes correlate with the spinal pressure and the spinal perfusion when the spinal cord is damaged.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

350

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

  • Switzerland
    • Canton of Zurich
      • Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland, 8008
        • Recruiting
        • University of Zurich, Balgrist University Hospital
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 80 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Probability Sample

Study Population

Subjects with spinal cord disorder and CSM

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Cervical injury
  • Informed consent
  • Age 18-80
  • CSM

Exclusion Criteria:

  • No other neurologic disorder and psychiatric disorder
  • Seizure
  • MRI incompatibility
  • Pregnancy

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Healthy controls
Patients with CSM
Patients with spinal injury (SCI)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Morphometric changes and changes in cerebro spinal fluid (CSF) flow and spinal cord movement in patients and control subjects will be correlated to functional deficits and neurophysiological data (regression model analysis).
Time Frame: Each patient will undergo a MRI scan, clinical and electrophysiological examinations at baseline, after 6 months and after 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years. Controls will undergo 1 MRI scan and some scan of retest analysis
Each patient will undergo a MRI scan, clinical and electrophysiological examinations at baseline, after 6 months and after 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years. Controls will undergo 1 MRI scan and some scan of retest analysis
Assessment of CSF pressure dynamics in the perioperative setting
Time Frame: Perioperative for 24hours
Perioperative for 24hours

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

University of Zurich

Collaborators

Foundation Wings For Life
Balgrist Foundation

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

December 1, 2012

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 5, 2014

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 19, 2014

First Posted (Estimated)

June 23, 2014

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimated)

December 22, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

December 15, 2025

Last Verified

December 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • KEK-ZH-2012-0343/PB_2016-00623

Drug and device information, study documents

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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