Description Module
The Description Module contains narrative descriptions of the clinical trial, including a brief summary and detailed description. These descriptions provide important information about the study's purpose, methodology, and key details in language accessible to both researchers and the general public.
Description Module path is as follows:
Study -> Protocol Section -> Description Module
Description Module
Ignite Creation Date:
2025-12-25 @ 4:59 AM
Ignite Modification Date:
2025-12-25 @ 4:59 AM
NCT ID:
NCT00001418
Brief Summary:
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.
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.
Study:
NCT00001418
Study Brief:
Protocol Section:
NCT00001418