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[18F]F-DOPA Imaging in Patients With Autonomic Failure
Sponsor: Daniel Claassen
Summary
Alpha-synucleinopathies refer to age-related neurodegenerative and dementing disorders, characterized by the accumulation of alpha-synuclein in neurons and/or glia. The anatomical location of alpha-synuclein inclusions (Lewy Bodies) and the pattern of progressive neuronal death (e.g. caudal to rostral brainstem) give rise to distinct neurological phenotypes, including Parkinson's disease (PD), Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB). Common to these disorders are the involvement of the central and peripheral autonomic nervous system, where Pure Autonomic Failure (PAF) is thought (a) to be restricted to the peripheral autonomic system, and (b) a clinical risk factor for the development of a central synucleinopathy, and (c) an ideal model to assess biomarkers that predict phenoconversion to PD, MSA, or DLB. Such biomarkers would aid in clinical trial inclusion criteria to ensure assessments of disease- modifying strategies to, delay, or halt, the neurodegenerative process. One of these biomarkers may be related to the neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) and related changes in the substantia nigra (SN) and brainstem. \[18F\]F-DOPA is a radiolabeled substrate for aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AAADC), an enzyme involved in the production of dopamine. Use of this radiolabeled substrate in positron emission tomography (PET) may provide insight to changes in monoamine production and how they relate to specific phenoconversions in PAF patients. Overall, this study aims to identify changes in dopamine production in key regions including the SN, locus coeruleus, and brainstem to distinguish between patients with PD, MSA, and DLB, which may provide vital information to predict conversion from peripheral to central nervous system disease.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
40
Start Date
2020-02-04
Completion Date
2027-02-01
Last Updated
2026-03-16
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
[18F]FDOPA
Patients will receive a 3-D emission scan following a 6-8 mCi slow bolus injection of \[18F\]FDOPA over a 30 second period. Serial scans are started simultaneously with the bolus injection of radiotracer and are obtained for approximately 95 minutes.
Carbidopa 200mg oral dose
30 minutes prior to the PET scan, patients will receive the 200mg oral dose of carbidopa to prevent peripheral \[18F\]FDOPA metabolism to increase signal-to-noise ratio of the imaging.
Entacapone 400mg oral dose
30 minutes prior to the PET scan, patients will receive the 400mg oral dose of entacapone to prevent peripheral \[18F\]FDOPA metabolism to increase signal-to-noise ratio of the imaging.
Locations (1)
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, Tennessee, United States