NIH Clinical Research Studies

Protocol Number: 01-HG-0232

Active Accrual, Protocols Recruiting New Patients

Title:
PET Scanning in Parkinson's Disease
Number:
01-HG-0232
Summary:
This study will compare brain blood flow and the brain's use of dopamine in patients with Parkinson's disease, their family members and normal volunteers. Dopamine is a chemical normally found in the part of the brain involved in controlling movement. This chemical is lacking in people with Parkinson's disease, and patients have difficulty initiating or controlling some body movements. Usually, Parkinson's disease develops in people without any known cause. In a few families, however, three or more people are affected, suggesting these families may have a genetic alteration that makes them more prone to develop the disease.

Normal healthy volunteers and members of families in which three or more people have Parkinson's disease may be eligible for this study. Candidates will have a physical examination and provide a personal and family medical history. Volunteers will also have a neurological examination.

Participants will undergo PET scanning. One hour before the scan, subjects are given a medication called Carbidopa, which maximizes the usefulness of the scans. For the procedure, the subject lies on a table in the scanner, a catheter (thin plastic tube) is inserted into an arm vein, and a baseline scan is done. Radioactive water is then injected through the catheter and another scan is done. During this scan, the subject is asked questions to stimulate blood flow in certain areas of the brain. Up to 10 injections are given, with different questions asked each time. The total time for the scans is not more than 1 hour. A final scan, which may last up to 2 hours, is then done. Dopamine is injected into the catheter before the scan begins. When it is completed, subjects are instructed to empty their bladder immediately and then every 2 hours for the rest of the day to reduce the exposure to radioactive material.

Shortly afterwards, the subject has a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. This scan is used to help interpret the information obtained from the PET scans. MRI uses radio waves and a magnetic field to image structural and chemical changes in tissues. For this procedure, the subject lies still on a table that is moved into the middle of a narrow circular scanner. An intercom system permits communication with the staff member performing the study at all times during the procedure.

Sponsoring Institute:
National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)
Recruitment Detail
Type: Active Accrual Of New Subjects
Gender: Male & Female
Referral Letter Required: No
Population Exclusion(s): None

Eligibility Criteria:
INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Individuals over the age of 18 from families in which an autosomal dominant form of Parkinson's disease is suspected based on pedigree analysis.

Each sugject will hava a medical history and brief neurological examination.

The diagnosis in probands must be supported by accepted clinical criteria: tremor, bradykinesia, and responsiveness to L-DOPA.

Equivocally affected individuals will also be included in order to aid in their phenotypic classification as will at risk individuals who show no neurological signs.

Healthy volunteers who do not have a family or clinical history of Parkinson's disease will also have a PET can on the same day. Volunteers will be age, gender and handedness-matched for statistical purposes.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Individuals not capable of understanding the consent will be excluded.

Individuals taking medications (such as antidepressants) which affect dopamine transporters will also be excluded.

Special Instructions: Currently Not Provided
Keywords:
Familial
Genetic
Symptomatic
Equivocally affected
18F-Fluoro-L-dopa
Recruitment Keywords:
Parkinson's Disease
PD
Parkinson
Healthy Control
HV
Normal Control
Conditions:
Parkinson Disease
Investigational Drug(s):
18F-Fluoro-L-dopa
O-15 Water
Investigational Device(s):
None

Contacts:
Aideen McInerney-Leo
National Institutes of Health
Building 10
Room 3C710
10 Center Drive
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Phone: (301) 402-0160
Fax: Not Listed
Electronic Address: amcinern@nhgri.nih.gov

Citations:
A susceptibility locus for Parkinson's disease maps to chromosome 2p13

Mutations in the parkin gene cause autosomal recessive juvenile parkinsonism

Mutation in the alpha-synuclein gene identified in families with Parkinson's disease

Active Accrual, Protocols Recruiting New Patients

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