New INfoMATAS Project

Invitation for CARNet Members to Contribute Skills and Expertise to the New INfoMATAS Project.

Back in 2016, the Cerebrovascular Research Network (CARNet) started a project called INfoMATAS (Identifying New Targets for MAnagement and Therapy in Acute Stroke). The aim of this project was to discuss and investigate potential treatments in stroke patients, based on cerebral hemodynamic target. The result of this initiative, so far, is a series of very important publications, including a special edition of reviews in the Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism, and most recently, an original research study published in Stroke. This manuscript will pave the way for the development of future clinical trials.

The next step for INfoMATAS is to gather all of the raw cerebral autoregulation data from this last publication in Stroke (and possibly more data), and analyse it using a common methodological approach. To accomplish this goal, I would like to invite CARNet members to contribute their skills and expertise to this project, with the following structure:

Group 1: Gathering and storing the data. We will need 1-2 people to contact all of the centres that contributed to the Stroke publication, and collect and store the raw data. If there is interest, data can also be collected from new participating centres. Data sharing agreement forms will also need to be completed and collected (for some centres, the agreement form from our prior study may be sufficient).

Group 2: Analyse the data. We will need a small core group to analyse the data based on a pre-determined standardized approach, such as transfer function analysis (TFA). This decision will need to be made with consideration of the primary objectives of this study, and in consultation with participating centres/investigators. 

Group 3: Statistical analysis. Statistical analysis will need to be completed by an individual familiar with this type of data, with the primary outcome variables based on our Stroke publication. 

Group 4: Manuscript writing. A small core group will have primary responsibility for drafting the manuscript, with feedback and contributions from all participating centres/investigators prior to submission to a journal for peer review.

Following completion of this study, our next step will be to consider implementing an analytical approach to a prospective clinical trial.

If you would like to participate in this study, please send an email to Dr. Ricardo Nogueira (ricardo.nogueira@hc.fm.usp.br), indicating the group you would like to work in.