Dexanabinol in Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Summary

Each year a large number of patients are hospitalized at Shock Trauma Centers with severe head injuries. Bleeding into and swelling of these patients' brains may cause compression of vital structures, disability and death. Sometimes surgery is needed. Unfortunately, the investigators have no medication to treat the bad effects of head trauma. Part of the brain damage is due to toxic chemicals (including one called glutamate) that are released by the damaged nerves. Dexanabinol may prevent some of the bad effects of glutamate on the brain and may protect the brain against uncontrollable swelling and death.

Timeline

Start

2001-01

Primary completion

—

Completion

2004-09

Publications

• Results Maas AI, Murray G, Henney H 3rd, Kassem N, Legrand V, Mangelus M, Muizelaar JP, Stocchetti N, Knoller N; Pharmos TBI investigators. Efficacy and safety of dexanabinol in severe traumatic brain injury: results of a phase III randomised, placebo-controlled, clinical trial. Lancet Neurol. 2006 Jan;5(1):38-45. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(05)70253-2.

Drugs

Indications