Permeability MRI in Cerebral Cavernous Malformations Type 1 in New Mexico: Effects of Statins

University of New Mexico (UNM)

Status and phase

Terminated

Early Phase 1

Conditions

Cerebral Cavernous Hemangioma

Cavernous Angioma, Familial

Cerebral Cavernous Malformations

Treatments

Drug: Simvastatin

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

NIH

Identifiers

NCT01764451

BVMC 6205

U54NS065705 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Details and patient eligibility

About

Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are clusters of abnormal blood vessels in the brain and spine. CCMs can bleed and cause strokes, seizures, and headaches. In some patients, CCMs affect the blood brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is the body's separation of blood and its contents in the brain from the brain tissue itself. Abnormal leakiness or permeability of this barrier can cause disease. We will measure the permeability (leakiness) of the BBB using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique called dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCEMRI). The purpose of this study is to look at whether statin medications change the permeability (leakiness) of the blood brain barrier in CCM patients. Statin medications are used to lower cholesterol levels and prevent heart attack and stroke. In addition, this medication may decrease the risk of brain hemorrhage or bleeding in patients with CCM. This study will examine whether the permeability of the BBB changes following the administration of simvastatin for three months.

Enrollment

12 patients

Sex

All

Ages

18+ years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Diagnosis of cerebral cavernous malformations-common Hispanic mutation (CCM1-CHM)
Must be willing to travel to the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM for 5 visits over the course of three months.

Exclusion criteria

Incarceration
Unable to pass MRI safety screening (pregnant females, claustrophics, or those with certain metallic items implanted in their bodies)
Low kidney function or transplants, an eGFR below 60 mL/min
Currently taking statin medications or have taken statin medications in the past 6 months
Known allergy or intolerance to statins
Known allergy or intolerance to gadolinium
Liver dysfunction at baseline, AST > 47 and/or ALT > 49
Consumption of large quantities of alcohol, men who consume more than 2 daily drinks and women who consume more than one daily drink
CK level of 232 or higher
Triglycerides greater than or equal to 500.
Medications: gemfibrozil, cyclosporine, danazol, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, ethromycin, clarithomycin, telithromycin, HIV protease inhibitors, nefazoldone, amiodarone, verapamil, dilitiazem, amlodipine, or ranalazine