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In this prospective, single-arm, open-label, imaging and treatment study, the investigator will test the hypothesis that crizanlizumab will prevent the progression of silent cerebral infarcts in patients with sickle cell disease. Study participants will undergo brain MRI before initiation of crizanlizumab and at 6 and 30 months after starting crizanlizumab infusions. The crizanlizumab cohort will be compared to a matched, observational cohort of patients not receiving crizanlizumab.
Silent brain infarctions (SBIs) are a manifestation of covert cerebrovascular disease, without obvious clinical deficit, noted very often in patients presenting with a new stroke or new transient ischemic attack. SBIs are linked to a significant increase in risk for subsequent stroke and cognitive decline. However, no biomarker is currently available that can predict the recurrence of these subclinical lesions. Coated-platelets are a measure of platelet procoagulant potential significantly increased in patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack compared to unaffected controls. Higher coated-platelet levels are strongly associated with both the presence and number of SBIs. Among medications approved for preventing stroke recurrence, we identified clopidogrel as a pharmacological agent leading to a decrease in coated-platelet levels. In this project, we plan to evaluate if clopidogrel can decrease the rate of occurrence of new silent brain infarctions. The result will enhance the investigators understanding of the relationship between platelets and silent brain infarcts, leading to improved health care delivery and also potential targets for novel preventive pharmacological interventions.