RESEARCH
Dr. Snelling is an active clinical investigator in multicenter trials advancing the frontiers of cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgery. As site principal investigator, he has led enrollment and treatment at Marcus Neuroscience Institute for the following studies:
NCS-01 — Stem Cell Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke Phase I/II | Active | Site Principal Investigator
Marcus Neuroscience Institute is one of six U.S. sites participating in this multicenter study evaluating the safety and tolerability of intracarotid administration of NCS-01 — human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells — in patients with acute ischemic stroke following mechanical thrombectomy. The trial targets patients with persistent neurological deficits after reperfusion, representing an effort to extend the therapeutic window and promote neural recovery beyond what clot retrieval alone can achieve.
TESLA — Thrombectomy for Emergent Salvage of Large Anterior Circulation Ischemic Stroke Phase III | Closed to Enrollment | Site Principal Investigator
A multicenter randomized trial evaluating mechanical thrombectomy in patients with large ischemic core strokes — a population historically excluded from intervention. Conducted across 47 U.S. centers, TESLA helped establish the evidence base for extending thrombectomy to patients with large infarct volumes identified on noncontrast CT within 24 hours of onset.
PICASSO — Proximal Internal Carotid Artery Acute Stroke Secondary to Tandem or Local Occlusion Thrombectomy Trial Phase III | Active | Site Principal Investigator
A multicenter randomized trial addressing one of the most technically demanding scenarios in acute stroke intervention — tandem occlusion, where simultaneous blockage of the cervical carotid artery and an intracranial vessel occurs. PICASSO evaluates whether acute carotid stenting during mechanical thrombectomy improves outcomes compared to balloon angioplasty alone with deferred revascularization, a question that has remained unanswered despite decades of practice.
ARPEGGIO — SCP776 Adjunctive Pharmacotherapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke Phase II | Completed with Positive Results | Site Principal Investigator
A randomized, placebo-controlled Phase II trial evaluating SCP776 — a novel targeted biologic that selectively delivers insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) to injured brain cells to inhibit programmed cell death and promote neural recovery — administered alongside mechanical thrombectomy in large vessel occlusion stroke. The trial enrolled patients treated up to 24 hours after symptom onset, a population with no currently approved pharmacological options. ARPEGGIO reported positive Phase II results in October 2025, demonstrating clinically meaningful improvement in neurological recovery and functional independence at 90 days.