Serving as Principle Investigator for trials isn't a job that fits between the hours of nine to five, Ayala admits. For physicians who are also still active in clinical practice, that can mean evenings and weekends away from the family. Researching full time Fred Vroom, MD, medical coordinator for drug research, TMH Neuroscience Center, was juggling the clinical practice and trials up until 1994, when he decided to pursue research full-time. Besides the personal sacrifice of being on call around the clock, he says another huge challenge is educating patients to seek treatment when they experience symptoms of a brain attack. With a stroke, the blood vessel is either plugged up or ruptures and that causes damage to the brain, according to Vroom.
Stroke symptoms depend entirely on which portion of the brain is involved with the stroke.
If it is the back part of the brain where vision is controlled, the only symptom may be a loss of vision. Another common symptom is difficulty speaking or other problems with language. Vroom says what makes his research gratifying, in addition to the results for patients, is how well everyone works together to make his trials successful. From the administrators to nursing and medical staff. Brain attack trials depend heavily on the cooperation of ancillary services such as pharmacy, laboratory, CT scan personnel, ER and ambulance.