Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Autonomic Failure

Multiple System Atrophy Clinical Trial

Official title:

Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Primary Autonomic Failure

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Terminated

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT01607268
• Other study ID #: 120574
• Status: Terminated
• Phase: N/A
• First received: May 17, 2012
• Last updated: January 16, 2017
• Start date: July 2012
• Est. completion date: January 2017

Study information

• Verified date: January 2017
• Source: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Observational

Clinical Trial Summary

This research study will be conducted in patients with primary autonomic failure, a disabling condition that is associated with low blood pressure upon standing. These patients are also not able to control for changes in their blood pressure due to a loss of cardiovascular reflexes that are mediated within the brain. The purpose of this study is to determine whether magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), a non-invasive imaging technique, can measure levels of chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the dorsal medulla, a brain area important for control of cardiovascular function, in autonomic failure patients. Importantly, this study will determine whether there are differences in brain chemicals between patients with peripheral versus central origins of their autonomic failure. The hypothesis is that the neurotransmitter profile in the medulla will be intact in patients with peripheral autonomic failure compared to those with central impairment. Overall, this study will provide insight into understanding the mechanisms involved in autonomic failure and will determine whether a single session of MRS imaging can improve the ability to make an accurate diagnosis in these patients. This would lessen the need for more extensive and invasive clinical testing.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Terminated
• Enrollment: 6
• Est. completion date: January 2017
• Est. primary completion date: January 2017
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years to 80 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with primary autonomic failure who are already participating in the approved Vanderbilt study "Evaluation and Treatment of Autonomic Failure"

• Males and females of all races between 18 and 80 years of age

• Able and willing to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant women

• Patients with diagnosed Parkinson's Disease or secondary forms of autonomic failure

• Patients with severe claustrophobia

• Patients taking medications known to affect brain neurotransmitter levels [e.g., anti-depressants, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, gabapentin, namenda, sinemet]

• Patients with implanted medical devices [e.g., pacemakers, metal clips, cochlear implants, orthopedic hardware], lead-based tattoos or pieces of metal close to or in an important organ

• High-risk patients [e.g., heart failure, symptomatic coronary artery disease, liver impairment, history of stroke or myocardial infarction]

• Inability to give or withdraw informed consent

• Other factors which in the investigator's opinion would prevent the subject from completing the protocol including significant abnormalities in clinical, mental, or laboratory testing

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Atrophy
• Multiple System Atrophy
• Pure Autonomic Failure
• Shy-Drager Syndrome

Intervention

Procedure:
• Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Imaging
Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy [1H-MRS] is an emerging imaging tool that allows for non-invasive assessment of brain neurochemistry in human subjects. This technique allows for in vivo quantification of the concentration of neurotransmitters and metabolites in discrete brain regions through detection of hydrogen nuclei in these molecules. Autonomic failure patients will undergo a single imaging session lasting 30 to 90 minutes (0.5-1.5 hours) in the Vanderbilt Human Imaging Institute.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	Vanderbilt University	Nashville	Tennessee

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Vanderbilt University

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	N-Acetylaspartate Levels	Differences in levels of N-acetylaspartate in the dorsal medulla of pure autonomic failure versus multiple system atrophy patients using single session imaging.	0.5-1.5 hours
Secondary	Myoinositol Levels	Differences in levels of myoinositol in the dorsal medulla pure autonomic failure versus multiple system atrophy patients.	0.5-1.5 hours
Secondary	GABA Levels	Differences in levels of the neurotransmitter GABA in the dorsal medulla of pure autonomic failure versus multiple system atrophy patients.	0.5-1.5 hours
Secondary	Creatinine Levels	Differences in levels of creatinine-containing compounds in the dorsal medulla of pure autonomic failure versus multiple system atrophy patients.	0.5-1.5 Hours
Secondary	Choline Levels	Differences in levels of choline-containing compounds in the dorsal medulla of pure autonomic failure versus multiple system atrophy patients.	0.5-1.5 Hours
Secondary	Glutamate Levels	Differences in levels of glutamate in the dorsal medulla of pure autonomic failure versus multiple system atrophy patients.	0.5-1.5 Hours

External Links

•   Vanderbilt Autonomic Dysfunction Center