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Clinical Trials/NCT06620679
NCT06620679RecruitingNot Applicable

Mapping the Effect of (neuro)inflammation on Stress Sensitivity in the Brain of Healthy Men

Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven1 site in 1 country20 target enrollmentStarted: May 3, 2024Last updated:
Conditions
Interventions
Drugs

Trial Snapshot

Phase
Not Applicable
Status
Recruiting
Enrollment
20
Locations
1
Primary Endpoint
Blood-oxygenation-level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD fMRI) response to acute stress task

Study Overview

Brief Summary

The goal of this interventional study is to determine the effects of inflammation on stress responses in the brain of healthy men. In order to achieve this goal, participants are injected with an inflammation-inducing agent, then observed inside a brain scanner.

Detailed Description

This interventional study is a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study aiming to elucidate the impact of acute laboratory-induced inflammation using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on stress responses in the brain of healthy men. Acute stress responses to a psychological task, the Maastricht Imaging Stress Task (MIST), are observed via blood-oxygenation-level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD fMRI) and simultaneous positron emission tomography (PET) imaging using the radiotracer 18 Fluor (18F)-N,N-diethyl-2-[4-(2-fluoroethoxy)phenyl]-5,7-dimethylpyrazole[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-acetamide (DPA)-714, which targets the 18 kilodalton (kDA) translocator protein (TSPO) of activated microglia. Every participant will receive 0.4 ng/kg body weight of LPS and saline on separate treatment visits, separated by a 2-3 months wash-out period.

Study Design

Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Crossover
Primary Purpose
Basic Science
Masking
Triple (Participant, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility Criteria

Ages
18 Years to 45 Years (Adult)
Sex
Male
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Inclusion Criteria

  • Age 18-45 years
  • BMI 18.5-25 kg/m2
  • Proficient in English and/or Dutch

Exclusion Criteria

  • Have previous or current neuropsychiatric disorders or have history of major head trauma
  • Have any disorder, which in the Investigator's opinion might jeopardise your safety or compliance with the study
  • Have any prior or current treatment(s) that might jeopardise your safety or that would compromise the integrity of the study
  • Have any prior and recent medication use (especially antibiotics, cardiovascular drugs, steroids, non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, centrally effective drugs)
  • Are participating in an interventional Trial with an investigational medicinal product (IMP) or device
  • Have current or previous infection or vaccination within the last 8 weeks
  • Have pathological values of blood indices and certain genetic profiles that will affect brain imaging results (we will conduct a blood screening before starting the study)
  • Had strong physical activity (e.g. swimming, football, running more than 8 km per hour, carrying heavy loads) 24h before the start of the experiment.
  • Are a smoker
  • Are a night-shift worker
  • Have recent or previous use of psychotropics within the last year
  • Have regular high alcohol use (>4 drinks/week)
  • Have any brain imaging contraindications:
  • Have claustrophobia or too much uneasiness in limited spaces (in order to tolerate confinement during the scanning procedures).
  • Have severe back problems that will interfere with lying on your back in the scanner with no movement for long durations.
  • Have any condition that would interfere with MRI studies (e.g., cochlear implant, metal fragments in eyes, cardiac pacemaker, neural stimulator, and metallic body inclusion or other metal implanted in the body). To check this, you will need to fill out a checklist before the procedure.
  • You and/or your partner is planning to become pregnant during and up to one month of the completion of the study

Arms & Interventions

LPS then Saline

Experimental

A crossover arm where the participant first receives the intervention (LPS), undergoes a wash-out period, then receives the placebo (saline).

Intervention: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (Biological)

LPS then Saline

Experimental

A crossover arm where the participant first receives the intervention (LPS), undergoes a wash-out period, then receives the placebo (saline).

Intervention: Placebo (Other)

Saline then LPS

Experimental

A crossover arm where the participant first receives the placebo (saline), undergoes a wash-out period, then receives the intervention (LPS).

Intervention: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (Biological)

Saline then LPS

Experimental

A crossover arm where the participant first receives the placebo (saline), undergoes a wash-out period, then receives the intervention (LPS).

Intervention: Placebo (Other)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Blood-oxygenation-level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD fMRI) response to acute stress task

Time Frame: 2 hours after the single i.v bolus administration of LPS or saline

BOLD fMRI responses to the Montreal Imaging Stress Task (MIST) after administration of LPS compared to saline

Binding potential of [18F]-DPA-714 radiotracer

Time Frame: 2 hours after the single i.v bolus administration of LPS or saline

The change in \[18F\]-DPA-714 binding potential with and without LPS administration (%∆BPND)

Secondary Outcomes

  • Concentration of serum cytokines(From 1 hour prior to intervention to 6 hours post-intervention)
  • Concentration of serum C-reactive protein (CRP)(From 1 hour prior to intervention to 24 hours post-intervention)
  • Concentration of serum free cortisol(From 1 hour prior to intervention to 24 hours post-intervention)
  • Concentration of plasma Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)(From 1 hour prior to intervention to 24 hours post-intervention)
  • Pulse rate(From 1 hour prior to intervention to 6 hours post-intervention)
  • Systolic blood pressure(From 1 hour prior to intervention to 6 hours post-intervention)
  • Diastolic blood pressure(From 1 hour prior to intervention to 6 hours post-intervention)
  • Body temperature(From 1 hour prior to intervention to 6 hours post-intervention)
  • Scoring of the Generic Assessment of Side Effects (GASE) questionnaire(From 1 hour prior to intervention to 7 days post-intervention)
  • Scoring of the Sickness Questionnaire (SicknessQ)(From 1 hour prior to intervention to 24 hours post-intervention)
  • Scoring of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, State Anxiety subscale (STAI-S)(From 1 hour prior to intervention to 24 hours post-intervention)
  • Scoring of the State-Trait-Anxiety and Depression Scale (STADI)(From 1 hour prior to intervention to 24 hours post-intervention)
  • Scoring of the Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS)(From 1 hour prior to intervention to 24 hours post-intervention)
  • Scoring of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS)(From 1 hour prior to intervention to 24 hours post-intervention)
  • Scoring of the Multidimensional Mood Questionnaire (MDMQ)(From 1 hour prior to intervention to 24 hours post-intervention)

Investigators

Sponsor Class
Other
Responsible Party
Principal Investigator
Principal Investigator

Lukas Van Oudenhove

Principal Investigator

Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven

Study Sites (1)

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