Selective PET Imaging of Astrocytes and Microglia in Alzheimer's Disease

Launched by THE METHODIST HOSPITAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE · Oct 11, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring a new way to look at inflammation in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease. Inflammation can play a big role in how Alzheimer's affects memory, but current imaging methods don't give clear information about the different types of cells involved. Researchers want to develop a new imaging technique that can specifically capture changes in two important cell types: microglia and astrocytes. By using a special camera called PET, along with advanced mathematical methods, they hope to better understand how these cells behave in response to new treatments aimed at reducing inflammation.

To participate in this study, individuals with Alzheimer's disease aged 50 to 90 who can communicate in English or Spanish may be eligible. Participants will need to meet certain criteria related to their memory and health. Healthy volunteers aged 18 to 90 are also needed for comparison, but they must not have any amyloid buildup in their brains. Participants can expect to undergo PET scans and may need to answer questions about their health. It's important to note that those with certain health conditions or who are pregnant may not be able to join the study. Overall, this trial aims to improve our understanding of brain inflammation and how it relates to Alzheimer's disease.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • Patients with Alzheimer's disease
• Inclusion criteria:
• • Individuals of either sex, 50-90 years of age.
• • Meeting research criteria for AD (McKhann, Knopman et al. 2011).
• • With a CDR (Morris 1993) score of 1-3.
• • Fluent in English or Spanish.
• • Have sufficient communication and comprehension ability to consent to the performance of the study or have a legally authorized representative.
• Exclusion criteria:
• • Inability to undergo MRI or PET for any reason, including severe claustrophobia.
• • History of large stroke or brain trauma, multiple sclerosis or other brain disorder that, in the judgment of the PI may confound the study.
• • Pregnancy. In women in whom the possibility of pregnancy cannot be excluded, a pregnancy test must be performed on site the morning of any PET visit and a negative result together with a physician interview are required prior to the administration or any radiopharmaceutical.
• • Research radiation exposure greater than 50 mSv effective dose within 12 months including radiation exposure from this study.
• Healthy volunteers:
• Inclusion criteria:
• • Individuals of 18-90 years of age.
• • Negative amyloid accumulation determined by PET (only for the comparison with AD).
• • Fluent in English.
• • Have enough communication and comprehension ability to consent to the performance of the study.
• Exclusion criteria:
• • Inability to undergo MRI or PET for any reason, including severe claustrophobia.
• • Brain disorder, other than idiopathic headache.
• • Current primary Axis I or II psychiatric disorder.
• • Current use of psychotropic or anti-epileptic medication.
• • Substance abuse during the past two years.
• • Active cancer, metabolic encephalopathy, infection, cardiovascular disease.
• • Active hematological, renal, pulmonary, endocrine or hepatic disorders, except for treated thyroid disease.
• • Pregnancy. In women in whom the possibility of pregnancy cannot be excluded, a pregnancy test must be performed on site the morning of any PET visit and a negative result together with a physician interview are required prior to the administration or any radiopharmaceutical
• • Research radiation exposure greater than 50 mSv effective dose within 12 months including radiation exposure from this study.
• • Only for the subjects undergoing the blocked scan with selegiline: known contraindications to selegiline, including hypersensitivity to the drug and use of opioids, such as meperidine and some antidepressants such as bupropion.