Molecular Imaging of NET Using [C-11]MRB-PET in MS (NCT03207464)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
This study aims to use \[C-11\]MRB PET (positron emission tomography) imaging to look at brain injury in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and healthy individuals. The overarching hypothesis is that there is decreased radioligand binding to the norepinephrine transporter in multiple sclerosis, reflecting injury to the noradrenergic system and that it plays a role in disease pathogenesis, its clinical manifestations and severity. This strategy is targeted to address an unmet need because currently available MRI techniques lack sensitivity and specificity for assessing such changes in the brains of people with MS. The specific aims of the study are: 1. To determine norepinephrine transporter binding in the brains of MS patients using \[C-11\]MRB PET and compare it with age, and sex matched healthy controls. 2. To determine correlation of norepinephrine transporter binding with clinical severity and MRI parameters in MS. 3. To determine correlation of norepinephrine transporter binding with fatigue and cognitive impairment in MS patients.
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (4 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (9 items).
Location: Brigham MS Center, 60 Fenwood Road — Boston, Massachusetts
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion Criteria:
- Individuals with a comorbid severe psychiatric condition such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Individuals with a known alternate neurologic disorder, previous head injury, or substance abuse.
- Individuals taking tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors.
- Concurrent medical conditions that contraindicate study procedures.
- Women who are pregnant or nursing. Also, any woman who is seeking to become pregnant or suspects she is pregnant will be excluded from enrollment.
- Claustrophobia
- Non-MRI compatible implanted devices
- Corticosteroid treatment in the past four weeks
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- Brigham MS Center, 60 Fenwood Road — Boston, Massachusetts
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.