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Alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonist

Anesthetics for Pain Management During Surgery (MCA Trial)

Phase 1
Recruiting
Led By Keith M Vogt, MD, PhD
Research Sponsored by Keith M. Vogt, MD, PhD
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Adults, age 18-39, who are native English speakers with at least a high school education
Have normal hearing and memory
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up 24-hrs post-experiment
Awards & highlights

MCA Trial Summary

This trial will test how pain affects long-term memory and the body's conditioned responses, using MRI to track the brain's reaction. The study will take place over 5 visits, with no long-term follow up required.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for healthy adults aged 18-39, with normal body weight and hearing, who speak English natively and have at least a high school education. Participants must not be taking psychotropic medications or have a history of certain medical conditions like sleep apnea, diabetes, chronic pain disorders, significant cardiac disease, or metal implants that are incompatible with MRI.Check my eligibility
What is being tested?
The study aims to understand how pain affects long-term memory and physiological responses when different intravenous anesthetics (Propofol, Dexmedetomidine) or pain medication (Fentanyl) are used. A placebo group is included for comparison. The effects will be monitored using functional magnetic resonance imaging across five visits without long-term follow-up.See study design
What are the potential side effects?
Possible side effects from the interventions may include typical anesthesia-related reactions such as drowsiness, confusion post-anesthesia, nausea or vomiting. Fentanyl can cause additional issues like respiratory depression if not properly managed.

MCA Trial Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I am between 18 and 39 years old, speak English natively, and have finished high school.
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My hearing and memory are normal.

MCA Trial Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~immediately after each experimental item
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and immediately after each experimental item for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Outcome measures can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary outcome measures
Explicit memory performance
Secondary outcome measures
Brain activity in hippocampus and amygdala
Heart rate response
Skin response

MCA Trial Design

3Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: PropofolExperimental Treatment3 Interventions
Subjects in this group will receive propofol during the drug portion of the experiment.
Group II: FentanylExperimental Treatment3 Interventions
Subjects in this group will receive fentanyl during the drug portion of the experiment.
Group III: DexmedetomidineExperimental Treatment3 Interventions
Subjects in this group will receive dexmedetomidine during the drug portion of the experiment.
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Placebo
1995
Completed Phase 3
~2670
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation
2016
Completed Phase 1
~1380
Propofol
2017
Completed Phase 4
~1530
Dexmedetomidine
2015
Completed Phase 4
~1980
Fentanyl
2019
Completed Phase 4
~1850

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.
Mechanism Of Action
Side Effect Profile
Prior Approvals
Other Research
Intravenous anesthetics such as propofol and ketamine are commonly used in anesthesia due to their rapid onset and ability to modulate neural activity and physiological responses to pain. Propofol works by enhancing the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, leading to sedation and hypnosis, while ketamine acts as an NMDA receptor antagonist, providing both analgesia and dissociative anesthesia. These mechanisms are crucial for minimizing pain and discomfort during surgical procedures, ensuring patient safety, and improving overall outcomes. Etomidate, although less desirable due to its potential to increase airway resistance and cause adrenal dysfunction, also acts on GABA receptors to induce anesthesia. Understanding these mechanisms helps anesthesiologists choose the most appropriate agents to manage pain and maintain stable physiological conditions during surgery.
The Role of Descending Modulation in Manual Therapy and Its Analgesic Implications: A Narrative Review.Management of acute postoperative pain after oral surgery.[Sedation and analgesia in intensive care: physiology and application].

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Logistics

Participation is compensated

You will be compensated for participating in this trial.

Who is running the clinical trial?

Keith M. Vogt, MD, PhDLead Sponsor
3 Previous Clinical Trials
100 Total Patients Enrolled
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)NIH
272 Previous Clinical Trials
246,873 Total Patients Enrolled
Keith M Vogt, MD, PhDPrincipal InvestigatorUniversity of Pittsburgh
3 Previous Clinical Trials
122 Total Patients Enrolled

Media Library

Dexmedetomidine (Alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonist) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT04062123 — Phase 1
Anesthesia Research Study Groups: Dexmedetomidine, Propofol, Fentanyl
Anesthesia Clinical Trial 2023: Dexmedetomidine Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT04062123 — Phase 1
Dexmedetomidine (Alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonist) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT04062123 — Phase 1
~3 spots leftby Jun 2024