Protocol Number: 99-CC-0163

Title:

Functional and Metabolic Imaging Using Magnetic Resonance at 3.0 Tesla

Number:

99-CC-0163

Summary:

This study will evaluate new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI ) methods using a MRI machine more powerful than those in most hospitals. MRI is a diagnostic tool that uses a large magnet and radio waves to produce images of the human body. It can also provide information about brain chemistry and physiology. This study will use the new MRI hardware and methods to measure blood flow and metabolism in regions of the brain during simple tasks, such as listening to tones or watching flashing checkerboards.

Healthy normal volunteers will undergo MRI scanning. For this procedure, the person lies on a stretcher that is moved into a MRI machine, which produces a strong magnetic field. A special lightweight coil is placed on the person's head to obtain better pictures. The scan time ranges from 20 minutes to 2 hours, with the average scan lasting between 45 and 90 minutes. Some persons will be asked to have a contrast agent called gadolinium DTPA injected into their arm through an intravenous catheter (a thin tube placed in a vein). This substance improves scan pictures and is often used in routine MRI brain scans.

During the MRI, the person may be asked to perform simple tasks, such as listening to tones or watching a screen, tapping fingers or moving a hand. More complex tasks may require thinking about tones or pictures and responding to them by pressing buttons.

The images produced in this study will be compared with those produced using standard MRI. The results will be used to develop improved imaging methods for better patient care and research.

Sponsoring Institute:

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)

Recruitment Detail

Type: Participants currently recruited/enrolled

Gender: Male & Female

Referral Letter Required: No

Population Exclusion(s): None

Eligibility Criteria:

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Any normal volunteer over 18 years old, which is capable of giving informed consent. For the purpose of evaluating new techniques and hardware for fMRI and MRS, patients will be considered the same as healthy volunteers.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

A subject will be excluded if they have contraindications to MR scanning such as the following: Aneurysm clip; Implanted neural stimulator; Implanted cardiac pacemaker or auto-defibrillator; Cochlear implant; Ocular foreign body (e.g., metal shavings); or Insulin pump. Neurological patients will also be excluded from this study. Subjects who have a history of a reaction to MR contrast agents specifically gadopentetate dimeglumine will be excluded from participating in the contrast agent administration part of this protocol. The contraindications to MRI at 1.5 Tesla and 3 Tesla are identical.

Special Instructions:

Currently Not Provided

Keywords:

MRI/MRS

Functional MRI

Metabolic Imaging

Brain

Recruitment Keyword(s):

Healthy Volunteer

Condition(s):

Healthy

Investigational Drug(s):

None

Investigational Device(s):

None

Intervention(s):

None

Supporting Site:

Warren G. Magnuson Clinical Center

Contact(s):

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

Citation(s):

Brain magnetic resonance imaging with contrast dependent on blood oxygenation

Functional mapping of the human visual cortex by magnetic resonance imaging

Functional magnetic resonance imaging of the human brain: data acquisition and analysis

• Questions about participating in a study, please contact the Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office, CC.
• Technical questions regarding the Clinical Center web site, please contact the Department of Networks and Applications, CC.

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National Institutes of Health Clinical Center Bethesda, Maryland 20892. Last update: 09/15/2008