Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Stroke Cerebral Reorganization Pathways (SPECTRE)

The SPECTRE study aims to understand how the brain changes and recovers after a stroke, focusing on people who have difficulty moving their arm and hand. Researchers are following patients over six months, using special brain scans called functional MRI (fMRI) and various movement tests. They want to see if different patterns of brain recovery (plasticity) can explain why some people get more movement back than others. By closely tracking these changes, the study hopes to identify early signs that could predict how well someone will recover, ultimately leading to better rehabilitation strategies for stroke patients in the future. This study is for adults aged 18 to 75 who have had a single stroke affecting their arm and hand movement.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Rennes University Hospital

Enrolment target

Start

01 Sep 2026

Estimated completion

01 Mar 2029

Brain Diseases Ischemic Stroke Stroke Brain Infarction Stroke Rehabilitation

What is this study about?

The SPECTRE study is trying to understand how your brain recovers after a stroke, especially when it affects your arm and hand movement. Think of your brain as a super-flexible computer that can rewire itself after damage. This rewiring is called 'brain plasticity'. The study wants to see if there are different ways this rewiring happens in people who recover their movement well compared to those who don't recover as much.

To do this, researchers are following patients closely from soon after their stroke up to six months later. They are using special brain scans, called functional MRI (fMRI), which shows how different parts of your brain are working and talking to each other. They'll also use different tests to measure your arm and hand movement over time. By looking at all this information together, they hope to find out if certain patterns of brain changes can predict how much movement someone will regain.

Finding these answers is really important because it could help doctors and therapists give more tailored and effective treatment to stroke patients in the future. If we can understand why some brains recover better, we might be able to develop new ways to encourage that recovery for everyone.

Key takeaways

The study explores brain recovery after stroke, focusing on arm movement.
It uses special brain scans (fMRI) and movement tests over six months.
Aims to understand why some people recover better than others.
Could help develop better stroke rehabilitation treatments in the future.
Participation involves several visits for scans and tests.

Who may be eligible?

To join the SPECTRE study, you'd generally need to be an adult between 18 and 75 years old who has recently had a single stroke that affects your arm and hand. Your doctors would confirm these details through brain scans and specific arm movement tests. It's important that you can understand and agree to take part, or if not, a family member can give consent for you. You also need to be covered by French social security, as this study is being run there.

There are also reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you've had multiple strokes, a specific type of stroke called a hemorrhagic stroke, or a stroke in a particular part of the brain. You also can't participate if you've had certain medical treatments like clot-busting drugs (thrombolysis) or clot removal (mechanical thrombectomy).

Additionally, some existing health conditions like severe breathing problems, swallowing difficulties, or certain serious brain conditions would prevent you from joining. If you have medical devices like a pacemaker that aren't safe for an MRI scan, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, you also wouldn't be able to take part. Finally, if you're already in another study that could affect brain recovery, you wouldn't be eligible for SPECTRE.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 75 years old?
Have you recently had a single stroke affecting your arm or hand?
Can you understand and agree to take part (or a family member can)?
Do you not have a pacemaker or other metallic implants unsafe for MRI?
Are you not pregnant or breastfeeding?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join the SPECTRE study, you'll be followed from soon after your stroke until six months later. Here's what that generally involves:

* **Initial Checks:** Soon after your stroke (around Day 3 to Day 7), researchers will perform some quick tests. This includes a simple arm and hand movement test called the SAFE score and another brain test called Motor Evoked Potentials (MEPs). These help place you into a group based on your likely recovery. * **Regular Assessments:** You'll have several follow-up appointments at specific times after your stroke: around Day 7-10, Day 30, Month 3, and Month 6. At these visits, you'll have more detailed arm and hand movement tests. * **Brain Scans:** At each of these follow-up visits (Day 7-10, Day 30, Month 3, and Month 6), you'll also have a special brain scan called a functional MRI (fMRI). These scans are safe and don't involve radiation, but they do require you to lie still inside a scanner. * **Total Duration:** Your participation in the study will last for approximately six months from the time of your stroke.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could help advance our understanding of how the brain recovers after a stroke, which might lead to better treatments for future patients. While you might not directly benefit from the study personally, knowing you're contributing to medical science can be very rewarding. The main risk involves the MRI scans. These scans are generally safe, but they require you to lie still for a period, and some people may feel a bit uncomfortable or claustrophobic. Researchers will ensure you're as comfortable as possible. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

Rennes Chu
Verified postcode
Rennes, France

Common questions

What is the main goal of the SPECTRE study?

The study aims to understand how the brain recovers and changes after a stroke, especially for arm and hand movement, to improve future stroke care.

What is an fMRI scan?

An fMRI is a special brain scan that shows which parts of your brain are active. It doesn't use radiation and helps researchers see how your brain is working.

How long does the study last?

If you join, the study will follow you for about six months from the day of your stroke.

Will I get medication in this study?

No, this study does not involve new medications or treatments. It focuses on observing and understanding brain recovery.

Can I leave the study if I change my mind?

Yes, you can leave the study at any time without having to give a reason, and it won't affect your medical care.

How to find out more

Maud GUILLEN, Md

maud.guillen@chu-rennes.fr 299284122 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.