Lymphatic System Health in Alzheimer's Disease

• Status: Suspended
• Trial end date: 2023-12-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

This study hopes to investigate differences in lymphatic health of patients with Alzheimer's disease by analyzing diffusion-weight images in conscious and sleep states. Dexmedetomidine is a short-acting agent that facilitates a sedated state characterized by slow waves and inhibition of norepinephrine. Conceptually, dexmedetomidine may be preferred to other agents, because it is a short-acting norepinephrine blocker, which could mimic slow wave sleep architecture, opening interstitial spaces, and facilitating plaque removal. Dexmedetomidine may also be preferred given its safety profile among the elderly and acutely ill compared to other anesthetic agents. Sleep will be induced with dexmedetomidine, and interstitial fluid convection will be assessed by measuring free-water diffusion imaging. Freewater diffusion imaging separates out the contributions of extracellular free water and water in the vicinity of cellular tissue; it is used to evaluate abnormalities in extracellular space, such as neuroinflammation, which may contribute to long-term cellular degeneration. This method of analysis could be useful in assessing the lymph systems ability to remove extracellular debris.

• Phase: Phase 1
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Neurological Associates of West Los Angeles
• Treatments: Dexmedetomidine

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• In order for a subject to be considered for this study, the subject must be willing to comply with the study protocol. They must be between 18 and 90 years old. They must complete neurocognitive testing to assess cognitive impairment (QDRS and RBANS).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Advanced stages of any terminal illness or any active cancer that requires chemotherapy

• Hepatic impairment

• Significant cytopenia

• Cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and peripheral vascular arterial thrombosis

• Women who are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breastfeeding

• Any counter indications to dexmedetomidine

• Subjects unable to give informed consent or in vulnerable categories, such as prisoners