[18F]-DPA-714 PET/MR: an imaging study in healthy volunteers
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Imaging inflammation in the brain using [18F]-DPA-714 PET/MR: an imaging study in healthy volunteers
IRAS ID
340030
Contact name
Caroline Williams-Gray
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust & University of Cambridge
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
The purpose of the study is to perform PET imaging in a group of healthy volunteers. PET brain scans involve a radioactive liquid, called a tracer, which is injected into the bloodstream. The tracer binds to certain areas of the brain and emits gamma rays (similar to X-rays) indicating its location. The scanner detects these gamma rays and produces images of the brain allowing us to see the amount and location of the tracer. The PET scan will be performed on an advanced type of scanner which is capable of performing MRI scans at the same time.
Neurodegenerative diseases (including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia) are very common, and occur when cells in the brain or nervous system lose function over time. Recent research has suggested that inflammation in the brain can contribute to this loss. Currently treatments only provide symptomatic relief and do not alter the disease process. Newer treatments, targeting brain inflammation are being investigated.
[18F]-DPA-714 is a PET tracer which binds to inflammatory cells in the brain. In order to interpret the results of scans using this tracer, we need PET brain scans from healthy individuals to identify normal tracer binding.
The main purpose of the study is to use PET brain scans using [18F]-DPA-714 to identify normal tracer binding in healthy individuals, to help us interpret the scans we will do in patients living with Parkinson’s disease, dementia and other neurodegenerative conditions. This will include a funded clinical trial in Parkinson's disease that will start later in 2024. The combination of data from healthy volunteers and patients will enable us to study these diseases in more detail and monitor the effects of new drug treatments.
REC name
East of England - Essex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/EE/0133
Date of REC Opinion
19 Jun 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion