Molecular Imaging of Norepinephrine Transporter (NET) Using [C-11]Methylreboxetine PET in Multiple Sclerosis
Status:
Recruiting
Trial end date:
2021-12-31
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
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.