PET Scanning in Parkinson s Disease

Completed

• Conditions: Schizophrenia; Parkinson's Disease
• Interventions: Drug: 18F-Fluoro-L-dopa; Drug: O-15 Water

• Registration Number: NCT00024622
• Lead Sponsor: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Brief Summary

This is an in vivo positron emission tomography (PET) study of regional cerebral dopamine and blood flow in normal volunteers, persons with Parkinson s disease (both familial and sporadic), and those with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. The latter also sign consent for NIH approved protocol 89-M-0160, "Inpatient Evaluation of Neuropsychiatric Patients," PI: Daniel Eisenberg, M.D. Using PET with 6-\[F-18\] Fluoro-L-dopa (FDOPA) and (15)0-H2O in a single scan session, both presynaptic dopaminergic function and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) are assessed. The kinetic rate constant (Ki) for presynaptic dopaminergic uptake in striatum and other regions is calculated. We compare Ki across subject groups and relate the findings to rCBF. Findings are also related to allelic variation in genes of interest, for determination of which participants sign separate consent for NIH approved protocol 95-M-0150 Neurobiological Investigation of Patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders and Their Siblings, PI: Karen F. Berman, MD. We also draw comparisons between subjects with inherited vs. sporadic Parkinson s disease to determine whether the PET phenotype is the same in both groups, and we compare system-level, circuit-based pathophysiology across PD and schizophrenia groups. Each subject is further screened with an MRI to rule out structural abnormalities and also to further delineate areas of interest in the PET scans....

Detailed Description

This is an in vivo positron emission tomography (PET) study of regional cerebral dopamine and blood flow in normal volunteers, persons with Parkinson s disease (both familial and sporadic), and those with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. The latter also sign consent for NIH approved protocol 89-M-0160, "Inpatient Evaluation of Neuropsychiatric Patients," PI: Daniel Eisenberg, M.D. Using PET with 6-\[F-18\] Fluoro-L-dopa (FDOPA) and (15)0-H2O in a single scan session, both presynaptic dopaminergic function and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) are assessed. The kinetic rate constant (Ki) for presynaptic dopaminergic uptake in striatum and other regions is calculated. We compare Ki across subject groups and relate the findings to rCBF. Findings are also related to allelic variation in genes of interest, for determination of which participants sign separate consent for NIH approved protocol 95-M-0150 Neurobiological Investigation of Patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders and Their Siblings, PI: Karen F. Berman, MD. We also draw comparisons between subjects with inherited vs. sporadic Parkinson s disease to determine whether the PET phenotype is the same in both groups, and we compare system-level, circuit-based pathophysiology across PD and schizophrenia groups. Each subject is further screened with an MRI to rule out structural abnormalities and also to further delineate areas of interest in the PET scans.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted QC: 2001-09-22
• Study First Submitted: 2001-09-23
• Study First Posted: 2001-09-24
• Study Start: 2002-03-15
• Status Verified: 2025-04-22
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-05-17
• Last Update Posted: 2025-05-20

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 494

Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Patients - schizophrenia spectrum disorders	O-15 Water	Patients - schizophrenia spectrum disorders
Patients - schizophrenia spectrum disorders	18F-Fluoro-L-dopa	Patients - schizophrenia spectrum disorders
Healthy volunteers	O-15 Water	Healthy volunteers.
Patients - Parkinsons	18F-Fluoro-L-dopa	Patients with Parkinsons
Patients - Parkinsons	O-15 Water	Patients with Parkinsons

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
To explore with positron emission tomography (PET) the pathophysiology and cerebral consequences of dopaminergic dysregulation.	Ongoing	To explore with positron emission tomography (PET) the pathophysiology and cerebral consequences of dopaminergic dysregulation.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center; 🇺🇸 Bethesda, Maryland, United States