Chronic subdural hematomas (cSDH) are extra-axial fluid collections in the cranium that can result in brain compression and neurological decline. cSDH commonly occurs after traumatic brain injury (TBI); though, many times there is no history of trauma. The incidence of cSDH is expected to significantly rise, due to an increasing elderly population worldwide.This is a common and challenging neurosurgical problem due to their ability to recur requiring repeated surgical reevacuation. Repeat surgery comes with additional morbidity as well as rising costs for both patients and hospitals. Operative decompression is the treatment of choice; however, an effective therapy preventing recurrence of cSDH after surgical intervention has not yet been found. Our long-term goal is to develop a therapeutic approach focused on the prevention of cSDH recurrence after initial surgical intervention.

The current literature and our own preliminary data have demonstrated that there is local elevation of pro-inflammatory chemokines and pro-angiogenic factors within the subdural hematoma cavity of chronic subdural hematomas that are not found systemically. Interleukin-8 (IL8 or chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 8, CXCL8) demonstrates both pro-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic properties. Curcumin has shown to directly inhibit the production and activity of CXCL-8 (IL-8) in vitro and in vivo, as well as down regulating the activity of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and bFGF (basic fibroblast growth factor). These combined effects make CC an important anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenic molecule that has the potential to reduce the recurrence rate of chronic subdural hematomas. The investigators expect that CC will prevent/reduce persistent hemorrhage within the subdural hematoma cavity, by blocking IL-8-induced disruption of the blood vessels. Specifically, CC is expected to preserve blood vessel leakage and accumulation of blood in SDH cavity, by blocking destructive effect of IL-8 on the vascular endothelial tight junctions.

CC has demonstrated promising results in multiple studies related to brain injury including intraparenchymal hemorrhage, acute stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and general injury to the blood-brain-barrier. 6 hours following intracerebral hemorrhage in adult mice, curcumin was administered in clinically relevant doses of 75-300 mg/kg. After 72 hours, there was a reduction in hematoma size, decreased vasogenic edema secondary to a less damaged blood-brain-barrier, decreased inflammatory markers, and overall improved neurological outcome. After discussing the role of T-lymphocytes in contributing inflammation and worsening neuronal injury, mouse models were used to demonstrate a suppression of T-lymphocyte infiltration in the brain after administration of curcumin. There was also a reduction in cerebral edema and improvement of neurological scores. One study administered low dose (80mg/day) curcumin to healthy middle-aged adults (40-60 years of age), when compared to a placebo group. The CC group had lower levels of plasma triglyceride, salivary amylase levels, plasma beta amyloid protein concentrations (protein responsible for Alzheimer's disease and other forms of intracerebral hemorrhage), and other beneficial health effects.

It was recently detected that combining CC with piperine (black pepper extract, also known as peperine or BioPerine), a known inhibitor of hepatic and intestinal glucuronidation, enhances the serum concentration, extent of absorption and bioavailability of CC in both rats and humans. Therefore, CC supplement is now used in combination with the black pepper extract. The average amount of pepper consumed by a person during a day in the United States is 359 mg, which translates to 18-32 mg of piperine a day. Furthermore, rat trials show a daily intake of 5 to 20 times the average daily dose of humans produced no clinical symptoms. Studies on acute, subacute, and chronic piperine toxicity show no abnormalities or clinical symptomatology, or significant blood chemistry data in laboratory animals. Black pepper extract has a high degree of safety being used nutritionally. The amount of piperine that is formulated in the curcumin capsules is several thousand times less than the LD50 (lethal dose 50) established in mice and rats. Our capsule contains 270 mg of pure curcuminoids (curcumin) and 3mg of black pepper extract. The recommended serving size is 3 capsules a day. Therefore, the patients will receive 810mg of pure curcumin and 9mg of black pepper extract (peperine) per day, which is less than the average amount of pepper consumed by a person daily in the United States.

This is a double-blinded, randomized placebo-controlled pilot study. A total of 48 subjects will be recruited in this study. 24 patients will receive placebo pills, and 24 will receive Curcumin (CC) pills. Patients who have symptomatic unilateral chronic subdural hematomas, with no acute component and do not meet the exclusion criteria, will be evaluated. At the time of consent for evacuation of the subdural hematoma, patients will also be consented for this trial by the research team. Participants will be instructed that they will be randomized to either the placebo group or the curcumin group. Participants will take one capsule three times a day for a maximum of 60 days. Participants will undergo standard postoperative care in regard to imaging and clinical follow-up. Patients will begin taking placebo or CC within 24 hours post-operatively and able to take oral medication. It will then be continued three times a day (TID).

This is a single center study that will take place at the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH). New patients admitted directly to the UNM Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit (NSICU) as a transfer from an outside hospital as well as patients admitted directly through the UNM (University of New Mexico) Emergency Department (ED), with subdural hematomas will be identified and recruited as potential subjects. All surgical operations will take place in the main operating room (OR) at UNMH. The perioperative care of the enrolled patients, as well as the non-surgically managed patients will take place both in the NSICU as well as the Neurosurgical step-down unit. Once patients have been discharged from the hospital, all follow-up appointments will take place in the Clinical Neurosciences Center located adjacent to UNMH. Patients will follow-up in the subdural clinic, staffed by Dr. Howard Yonas, Principal Investigator.