Overview

Effects of a Surgery-induced Peripheral Inflammatory Response on the Blood Brain Barrier

Status:
Completed

Trial end date:
2013-02-01

Target enrollment:
0

Participant gender:
All

Summary

The purpose for this study is to determine if surgery (repair of descending thoracic aneurysm) causes a temporary decrease in the Blood Brain Barrier's ability to remove drugs from the brain back into the blood. The Blood Brain Barrier surrounds the brain and the spinal cord. This Blood Brain Barrier acts as a filter and allows some things to cross into the brain and allows other matter to be removed. Studies have shown the Blood Brain Barrier is affected by inflammation. Functions of the Blood Brain Barrier in animals have been studied. Human studies with multiple causes of inflammation (e.g. Alzheimer's, Epilepsy, trauma and severe infections in critically Hypothesis: Surgically-induced inflammation will temporarily reduce blood-brain barrier drug efflux transporter function in proportion to the degree of inflammation. The investigators anticipate that inflammation-mediated reductions in drug transporter function will be reflected by an increased cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) concentration of morphine (a PGP substrate) and M3G and M6G (MRP1 substrates). The corresponding in vitro studies will allow us to elucidate the mechanism(s) by which inflammation alters blood brain barrier efflux transport of morphine, M3G and M6G.

Phase:

Phase 4

Accepts Healthy Volunteers?

Details

Lead Sponsor:

Nova Scotia Health Authority

Collaborator:

Dalhousie University

Treatments:

Morphine

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Subjects who are to undergo elective surgery for thoracic aortic vascular disease
requiring insertion of a lumbar CSF drain

2. Informed consent will be obtained from the subject or authorized legal representative
-

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Unwilling or unable to provide informed consent

2. Sensitivity or documented allergy to morphine

3. Inability to place lumbar CSF drain

4. Dialysis dependent -