Official Title: Efficacy and Safety Evaluation of a Single Intravenous Dose of Dexanabinol in Patients Suffering From Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
Status: COMPLETED
Status Verified Date: 2004-11
Last Known Status: None
Delayed Posting: No
If Stopped, Why?: Not Stopped
Has Expanded Access: No
If Expanded Access, NCT#: N/A
Has Expanded Access, NCT# Status: N/A
Acronym: None
Brief 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
Detailed Description: Dexanabinol is a synthetic non-psychotropic cannabinoid derivative that because of its dextro-configuration is compatible with activation of cannabinoid receptors in the brain It combines the ability to block NMDA receptors and neuroinflammatory cascades in the same molecule Dexanabinol scavenges free radicals protects neurons from toxicity of free radical generators and inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced production of prostaglandin E2 NO and TNF-a by macrophages in culture