Detection of Brown Adipose Tissue by Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, CHAPEL HILL · Sep 9, 2014

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a special type of fat in the body called Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT), which may play a role in obesity. The main goal is to see how accurately a type of imaging called MRI can detect BAT compared to another imaging method known as PET. To do this, healthy adults will undergo both MRI and PET scans while in a slightly cold environment, which helps activate BAT.

To participate in this study, you need to be between 18 and 74 years old, have a body mass index (BMI) under 34, and be able to understand and give consent for the study. Unfortunately, if you are pregnant, have certain medical devices like a pacemaker, or have had recent cancer treatments, you won't be able to join. If you participate, you'll experience both MRI and PET scans, which are non-invasive imaging methods, and you'll help researchers learn more about how to detect BAT, potentially contributing to better understanding and treatment of obesity in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Each subject must be fully informed and have signed consent.
• • BMI \< 34
• • Normal neurological and psychological development / able to give consent
• • Willingness to participate in this study
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Subjects less than 18 years of age
• • Severe claustrophobia
• • Women who are pregnant, nursing an infant or planning to become pregnant in the next 30 days
• • People who have a condition that makes MRI unsafe for them (for example, cardiac pacemaker, epicardial pacemaker leads, cochlear implants, metal aneurysm clip, iron filings in your eyes or metal halo devices)
• • Have had radiation therapy or chemotherapy in the 2 months prior to PET scan
• • Subjects are taking medications that may interfere with BAT detection