Protocol Number: 04-M-0180

Title:

PET Evaluation of Monoamine Transporters in Obsessive-Compulsive-Related Disorders

Number:

04-M-0180

Summary:

This study will compare serotonin transporters in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and healthy volunteers in order to better understand the role of serotonin in OCD. Serotonin is a chemical in the brain that transmits nerve impulses. The serotonin transporter (SERT) is a protein that regulates serotonin levels in the brain.

Normal, healthy volunteers and patients with OCD between 18 and 50 years of age and in overall good health may be eligible for this study. Candidates are screened with a medical history, physical examination, blood and urine tests, and a psychological interview and tests related to OCD symptoms. Participants undergo the following tests:

- Positron emission tomography (PET) scanning: For this test, subjects lie on the scanner bed, wearing special masks that are fitted to their heads and attached to the beds to help keep their heads still during the procedure. An 8-minute "transmission" scan is done to provide measures of the brain that will help calculate information obtained from subsequent scans. Then, a radioactive tracer is injected into a catheter (plastic tube) placed in the arm. The scan produces images of the serotonin transporters in the brain. Pictures are taken for about 2 hours, while the subject lies still on the scanner bed.

- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning: An MRI scan of the brain is done within 1 year of the PET scan-that is, up to 1 year before or 1 year after the PET scan. MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce images of body tissues and organs. For this procedure, the patient lies on a table that is moved into the scanner (a narrow cylinder), wearing earplugs to muffle loud knocking and thumping sounds that occur during the scanning process. The procedure lasts about 1 hour, during which the patient will be asked to lie still for up to a few minutes at a time.

- Genotyping: Subjects provide a blood sample (4 tablespoons) for DNA testing to look for genes or gene regions that may contribute to serotonin activity. This may lead to a better understanding of the genetic underpinnings of the serotonin system that influence mood, movement, and addiction.

Sponsoring Institute:

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Recruitment Detail

Type: Active Accrual Of New Subjects

Gender: Male & Female

Referral Letter Required: No

Population Exclusion(s): Children

Eligibility Criteria:

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Patients and Controls:

Age: 18-65.

Patients- DSM-IV criteria for OCD.

Controls- not required

Patients and Controls:

Good health, with absence of serious medical illnesses, such as congestive heart failure, diabetes, kidney failure, epilepsy or cancer.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Patients and Controls:

Other current DSM-IV Axis I diagnostic criteria.

Patients and Controls:

Psychotropic medications, including SSRIs and antipsychotic medications. Drug free period must be greater than 4 weeks.

Patients and Controls:

Claustrophobia

Patients and Controls:

Pregnancy. Women with child bearing potential.

Patients and Controls:

Prior participation in other research protocols within the past year such that a radiation exposure together with the present study would exceed the annual limits.

Patients and Controls:

Any condition that increases risk for MRI (e.g., pacemaker, metallic foreign body in the eye, etc.)

Special Instructions: Currently Not Provided

Keywords:

Genetics

Serotonin Transporter

Brain Imaging

Neurotransmitter

OCD

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

PET

Recruitment Keywords:

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

OCD

Healthy Volunteer

HV

Conditions:

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Investigational Drug(s):

None

Investigational Device(s):

None

Contacts:

Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office
Building 61
10 Cloister Court
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4754
Toll Free: 1-800-411-1222
TTY: 301-594-9774 (local),1-866-411-1010 (toll free)
Fax: 301-480-9793

Electronic Mail:prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov

Citations:

Barr LC, Goodman WK, Price LH. The serotonin hypothesis of obsessive compulsive disorder. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 1993 Nov;8 Suppl 2:79-82. PMID: 8201248

Bastani B, Arora RC, Meltzer HY. Serotonin uptake and imipramine binding in the blood platelets of obsessive-compulsive disorder patients. Biol Psychiatry. 1991 Jul 15;30(2):131-9. PMID: 1655071

Bellodi L, Sciuto G, Diaferia G, Ronchi P, Smeraldi E. Psychiatric disorders in the families of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Psychiatry Res. 1992 May;42(2):111-20. PMID: 1631248

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