NCT01607268

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Autonomic Failure

Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Primary Autonomic Failure

• Status: Terminated
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 6 (actual)
• Sponsor: Vanderbilt University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 80 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This research study will be conducted in patients with primary autonomic failure, a disabling condition that is associated with low blood pressure upon standing. These patients are also not able to control for changes in their blood pressure due to a loss of cardiovascular reflexes that are mediated within the brain. The purpose of this study is to determine whether magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), a non-invasive imaging technique, can measure levels of chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the dorsal medulla, a brain area important for control of cardiovascular function, in autonomic failure patients. Importantly, this study will determine whether there are differences in brain chemicals between patients with peripheral versus central origins of their autonomic failure. The hypothesis is that the neurotransmitter profile in the medulla will be intact in patients with peripheral autonomic failure compared to those with central impairment. Overall, this study will provide insight into understanding the mechanisms involved in autonomic failure and will determine whether a single session of MRS imaging can improve the ability to make an accurate diagnosis in these patients. This would lessen the need for more extensive and invasive clinical testing.

Conditions

• Pure Autonomic Failure
• Multiple System Atrophy

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Imaging	Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy \[1H-MRS\] is an emerging imaging tool that allows for non-invasive assessment of brain neurochemistry in human subjects. This technique allows for in vivo quantification of the concentration of neurotransmitters and metabolites in discrete brain regions through detection of hydrogen nuclei in these molecules. Autonomic failure patients will undergo a single imaging session lasting 30 to 90 minutes (0.5-1.5 hours) in the Vanderbilt Human Imaging Institute.

Timeline

• Start date: 2012-07-01
• Primary completion: 2017-01-01
• Completion: 2017-01-01
• First posted: 2012-05-30
• Last updated: 2017-01-18

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States