Hyperpolarized Xenon-129 Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy of Brown Fat: Healthy Adult Volunteer Pilot Study

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, CHAPEL HILL · Aug 15, 2014

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new way to see and understand brown fat in healthy adults using a special type of MRI that involves inhaling a gas called hyperpolarized xenon. Brown fat is important because it helps our bodies burn calories and stay warm. The researchers want to see if this advanced imaging technique can effectively detect brown fat and measure how active it is in different temperatures, like at normal room temperature and when it’s a bit chilly.

To participate in this study, you need to be a healthy adult aged 18 or older, without any serious lung problems or a history of smoking in the last five years. You also need to be able to give your consent and follow instructions during the imaging process. Participants will inhale the xenon gas and then undergo an MRI scan, which is a painless procedure that takes pictures of the inside of your body. It's important to note that if you have certain metal implants or conditions that could make MRI unsafe, you won't be eligible. This study is currently looking for volunteers, so if you meet the criteria and are interested in learning more about brown fat, this could be a great opportunity!

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Ability to give informed consent
• • Willing to participate in this study
• • Male or female ≥ 18 years of age at the time of the interview.
• • Subject has no diagnosed pulmonary condition
• • Subject has not smoked in the previous 5 years
• • Smoking history, if any, is less than or equal to 5 pack-years
• • Written informed consent (and assent when applicable) obtained from subject or subject's
• • legal representative and ability for subject to comply with the requirements of the study
• • Healthy subject that may or may not have undergone an fluorodeoxyglucose -PET scan
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Any contraindication to MRI (presence of any non-removable metal implant, stents, pacemaker, clips, staples, or piercings, etc. )
• • Subject does not fit in the magnet
• • Pregnancy or breast feeding
• • Severe claustrophobia
• • Subject is less than 18 years old
• • MRI is contraindicated based on responses to MRI screening questionnaire
• • Subject is pregnant or lactating
• • Respiratory illness of a bacterial or viral etiology within 15 days of MRI
• • Subject has received an investigational medicinal product (not including 129Xe) within 30 days of MRI
• • Subject has any form of known cardiovascular disease
• • Subject cannot hold their breath for 15 seconds
• • Subject deemed unlikely to be able to comply with instructions during imaging
• • Subject is taking beta blockers
• • Subject underwent an fluorodeoxyglucose-PET examination less than one week before the HP xenon MRI scan