Brain Glymphatic Imaging for Parkinson’s Disease

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen ByManus J Donahue, Ph.D.

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May be covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Phase < 1

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Vanderbilt University Medical Center

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?Recent immunological and physiological studies have provided evidence in support of a central nervous system (CNS) lymphatic drainage system in vertebrate animals, and preliminary evidence has suggested that a similar system exists in humans. If operative, this system may have central relevance to many vascular and fluid clearance disorders such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease related dementia (ADRD): diseases which represent some of the most pressing healthcare challenges of the 21st century. Evaluating this possibility will require improved, robust imaging methods sensitive to lymphatic drainage dysfunction; as such, the goal of this work is to apply novel magnetic resonance imaging approaches, optimized already for evaluating lymphatic circulation in patients with peripheral lymphatic dysfunction, to quantify relationships between physiological hallmarks of ADRD and CNS lymphatic function in humans.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease or healthy controls willing to undergo PET and MRI imaging. It excludes those who have used stimulants recently, have unstable diabetes, a history of stroke, claustrophobia, prior chemotherapy for cancer treatment, traumatic brain injury, or any unstable medical condition.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.

Exclusion Criteria

I have had a stroke before.

My diabetes is not well-controlled.

I have previously undergone chemotherapy for cancer.

Participant Groups

[11C]-PIB is being tested as part of an effort to improve imaging methods that can detect issues in the brain's lymphatic drainage system. This could be important for understanding and treating conditions like Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's related dementia.

1Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Parkinson's Disease participants with MCIExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Patient volunteers will also undergo a C-11 PiB PET scan. This procedure utilizes a common radiotracer that is used routinely in clinical PET scans and will be purchased here from PETNET and certified for human use. All PET scans will be performed by a certified PET technologist at the Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science.