NCT05516732

Serotonin Release in Premotor and Motor PD

Evaluation of Serotonergic Neurotransmission in Premotor and Motor Parkinson's Disease.

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 42 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of Exeter · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 25 Years – 85 Years
• Healthy volunteers: —

Summary

In this study, the investigators aim to provide a deeper understanding of Parkinson's disease and find a biomarker of Parkinson's disease. This is done using imaging scans called Positron Emission tomography (PET), Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The findings will provide a deeper understanding of the brain changes in Parkinson's disease. More importantly, this study will help with the discovery and development of new medications aiming to delay progression of Parkinson's disease symptoms

Detailed description

The purpose of this study is to find a biomarker for Parkinson's disease (PD). A biomarker is an indicator of the presence of a disease, that can be measured, and that is able to give information about the progression, or severity, of it. The study visits will take place in London. There are three locations on Hammersmith hospital campus, that are located near to each other. The NIHR Imperial Clinical Research Facility and Invicro London for clinical and MRI and PET assessments, and Imperial Healthcare Nuclear Medicine Department for the SPECT scan. Participants will attend 5 visits in a 3 month period. These visits include an initial consent and assessment visit where some blood samples will also be taken. The second visit involves a PET scan with the tracer DASB along with an MRI scan. The third visit involves two PET scans one in the morning, with CIMBI tracer, an injection of Dexamphetamine, and then a second with CIMBI tracer to make a comparison. The fourth visit involves a SPECT scan, and the fifth visit is optional and would be for a lumbar puncture visit. Each visit will last around 6 hours.

Conditions

• Parkinson Disease
• Parkinson's
• Parkinson's Disease
• Neurodegenerative Diseases
• Neurodegeneration
• Positron Emission Tomography

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan using CIMBI-36 tracer	This scan creates images of regional serotonin release in by using a tracer compound called CIMBI to highlight the brains capacity to release serotonin.
OTHER	Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scan	MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) uses magnets alongside radio waves to create pictures of the brain
OTHER	Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan using DASB tracer	To create images of the brain using a tracer called DASB, which is a highly selective for serotonin transporters, this highlights serotonin terminals and neurons in the brain.
OTHER	FP-CIT Single-photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) scan	A single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) scan allows analysis of brain function by creating 3D Pictures using compounds called tracers.
OTHER	Lumbar puncture	A lumbar puncture invovles a thin needle is inserted between the bones in your lower spine using local anaesthetic. This allows the collection of Cerebrospinal fluid ( CSF)

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-07-01
• Primary completion: 2026-06-30
• Completion: 2026-06-30
• First posted: 2022-08-26
• Last updated: 2025-10-07

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United Kingdom