PET Imaging of Cyclooxygenases in Neurodegenerative Brain Disease
Eligible age
18–99 yrs
Accepts
All genders
Locations
1 state
Healthy volunteers
Yes
See if you qualify for this study
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About this study
Background: About 5 million adults in the U.S. have Alzheimer s disease or another adult-onset neurodegenerative disorder. Many studies have found that inflammation in the brain contributes to these diseases. Researchers want to find a better way to measure this inflammation. Objective: To learn whether COX-1 and/or COX-2 is elevated in the brains of individuals with neurodegenerative brain disease compared to healthy volunteers. Eligibility: Adults age 18 years and older in good general health who have an adult-onset neurodegenerative dementia, such as AD, FTD, corticobasal syndrome, Huntington s disease, or MCI, ALS and healthy adult volunteers enrolled in protocols 01-M-0254 or 17-M-0181. Design: Participants will be screened with medical history, physical exam with vital signs, and lab tests. They will have a neuropsychological testing. Their heart function will be measured. Participants will have a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. The MRI scanner is a metal tube surrounded by a strong magnetic field. Participants will lie on a table that slides in and out of the tube. The machine makes noise. Participants will get earplugs. Participants will have 2 PET scans. They will be injected with the study drugs through an intravenous catheter placed in an arm vein. The PET scanner is shaped like a doughnut. Participants will lie on a bed that slides in and out of the scanner. A plastic mask will be molded to their head to keep them from moving. A thin plastic tube will be put into an artery at the wrist or elbow crease area. This will be used to draw blood during the scan. Participants will have 2-5 study visits. Participation lasts 1 week to 4 months, depending on scheduling.
Sponsor: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
You may not qualify if…
- ✕ Both patients and healthy volunteers who meet any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:
- ✕ 1. Clinically significant abnormalities on EKG or laboratory testing. This includes CBC and acute care panel (Na, K, Cl, CO2, creatinine, glucose, urea nitrogen). Any lab value that is two-times the upper limit or even lower values in the investigator s judgment. Creatinine level \>1.3 mg/dL
- ✕ 2. Subjects should not have taken Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) for two weeks prior to the PET scan. Aspirin, corticosteroids (with the exception of skin products), or immunosuppressants (e.g., methotrexate) must not have been taken in the prior month.
- ✕ 3. Contraindications to ketoprofen, such as hypersensitivity to ketoprofen or history of upper or lower gastrointestinal bleeding.
- ✕ 4. Have other major neurological or medical diseases that may cause cognitive dysfunction, such as structural brain diseases, metabolic diseases, paraneoplastic syndromes, infectious diseases, or other significant neurological abnormalities.
- ✕ 5. Have an unstable medical condition that, in the opinion of the investigators, makes participation unsafe (e.g., an active infection or untreated malignancy).
- ✕ 6. Are unable to travel to the NIH.
- ✕ 7. Have recent exposure to radiation related to research (e.g., PET from other research) that, when combined with this study, would be above the allowable limits.
Where it's recruiting
Bethesda
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT04396873 · last updated 2026-06-17