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PET Scan in Patients With Neurocardiologic Disorders
This study has been completed.
Sponsored by: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Information provided by: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00001418
  Purpose

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.


Condition
Autonomic Nervous System Diseases

MedlinePlus related topics: Autonomic Nervous System Disorders Neurologic Diseases Nuclear Scans
Drug Information available for: Dopamine Dopamine hydrochloride Norepinephrine Norepinephrine bitartrate
U.S. FDA Resources
Study Type: Observational
Official Title: Positron Emission Tomographic (PET) Scanning of Sympathetic Innervation and Function in Patients With Neurocardiologic Disorders

Further study details as provided by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC):

Estimated Enrollment: 335
Study Start Date: July 1994
Estimated Study Completion Date: August 2004
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.

  Eligibility

Genders Eligible for Study:   Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   Yes
Criteria

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.

  Contacts and Locations
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00001418

Locations
United States, Maryland
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892
Sponsors and Collaborators
  More Information

Study ID Numbers: 940186, 94-N-0186
Study First Received: November 3, 1999
Last Updated: March 3, 2008
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00001418  
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government

Keywords provided by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC):
Sympathetic Nervous System
Dysautonomias
Postural Tachycardia Syndrome
Neurocardiogenic Syncope
Hypernoradrenergic Hypertension
Sympathectomy
Fluorodopamine
Positron Emission Tomography
Norepinephrine
Dopamine
Neurocardiologic Disorder

Study placed in the following topic categories:
Dopamine
Autonomic Nervous System Diseases
Tachycardia
Norepinephrine
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome
Syncope
Hypertension

Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Nervous System Diseases

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on January 15, 2009