PET Scan in Patients With Neurocardiologic Disorders

March 3, 2008 updated by: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Positron Emission Tomographic (PET) Scanning of Sympathetic Innervation and Function in Patients With Neurocardiologic Disorders

This study is designed to use PET scans in order to measure activity of the sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is the portion of the nervous system that maintains a normal supply of blood and fuel to organs during stressful situations.

PET scan or Positron Emission Tomography is an advanced form of an X-ray. It is used to detect radioactive substances in the body. During this study researchers plan to inject small amounts of the radioactive drug fluorodopamine into patients. Fluorodopamine is very similar to the chemicals found in the sympathetic nervous system. It can attach to sympathetic nerve endings and allow researchers to view them with the aid of a PET scan. One area of the body with many sympathetic nerve endings is the heart. After giving a dose of fluorodopamine, researchers will be able to visualize all of the sympathetic nerve endings involved in the activity of the heart. In addition, this diagnostic test will help researchers detect abnormalities of the nervous system of patient's hearts.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Detailed Description

This project applies positron emission tomographic (PET) scanning after administration of 6-[18F]fluorodopamine ([18F]-6F-DA) to visualize sympathetic innervation and function in patients with neurocardiologic disorders. Patients undergo infusion of [18F]-6F-DA, followed by PET scanning of one or more body regions. Patients may also undergo PET scanning after administration of [13N]-ammonia, to assess regional perfusion; regional blood sampling (including sampling from the coronary sinus or great cardiac vein) during infusion of [3H]-l-norepinephrine ([3H]-NE), to assess the kinetics and metabolism of NE; or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to delineate the ventricular myocardium. PET scanning after [18F]-6F-DA administration, in conjunction with other clinical assessment tools, should provide comprehensive information about regional sympathoneural innervation and function in neurocardiologic disorders.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment

335

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Maryland
      • Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892
        • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child
  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

The subjects are adult patients in one of the following diagnostic categories: coronary heart disease or chest pain and normal coronary arteries; myocardial dysfunction or failure; hypertension; or dysautonomia. Groups of appropriately matched healthy volunteers are studied concurrently as controls.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Minors are excluded.

Subjects in whom anatomic factors complicate vascular access are excluded.

Subjects who are not expected clinically to tolerate recumbency during the procedures are excluded.

Pregnant or lactating women are excluded.

Cardiology patients may be tested while off their usual medications. In this situation, the patients will be inpatients on the cardiology ward, managed clinically by staff of the Cardiology Branch, DIR, NHLBI. Hypertensives will be tested afer having discontinued anti-hypertensive medications for up to two weeks.

Patients who must take medications continually in the following categories are excluded: anticoagulants, tricyclic antidepressants, barbiturates, aspirin, acetaminophen.

Patients unable to discontinue nicotine or alcohol temporarily are excluded.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

July 1, 1994

Study Completion

August 1, 2004

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

November 3, 1999

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 3, 1999

First Posted (Estimate)

November 4, 1999

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

March 4, 2008

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 3, 2008

Last Verified

August 1, 2004

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 940186
  • 94-N-0186

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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