Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Autonomic Failure

Vanderbilt University

Status

Terminated

Conditions

Multiple System Atrophy

Pure Autonomic Failure

Treatments

Procedure: Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Imaging

Study type

Observational

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT01607268

120574

Details and patient eligibility

About

This research study will be conducted in patients with primary autonomic failure, a disabling condition that is associated with low blood pressure upon standing. These patients are also not able to control for changes in their blood pressure due to a loss of cardiovascular reflexes that are mediated within the brain. The purpose of this study is to determine whether magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), a non-invasive imaging technique, can measure levels of chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the dorsal medulla, a brain area important for control of cardiovascular function, in autonomic failure patients. Importantly, this study will determine whether there are differences in brain chemicals between patients with peripheral versus central origins of their autonomic failure. The hypothesis is that the neurotransmitter profile in the medulla will be intact in patients with peripheral autonomic failure compared to those with central impairment. Overall, this study will provide insight into understanding the mechanisms involved in autonomic failure and will determine whether a single session of MRS imaging can improve the ability to make an accurate diagnosis in these patients. This would lessen the need for more extensive and invasive clinical testing.

Enrollment

6 patients

Sex

All

Ages

18 to 80 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Patients with primary autonomic failure who are already participating in the approved Vanderbilt study "Evaluation and Treatment of Autonomic Failure"
Males and females of all races between 18 and 80 years of age
Able and willing to provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Pregnant women
Patients with diagnosed Parkinson's Disease or secondary forms of autonomic failure
Patients with severe claustrophobia
Patients taking medications known to affect brain neurotransmitter levels [e.g., anti-depressants, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, gabapentin, namenda, sinemet]
Patients with implanted medical devices [e.g., pacemakers, metal clips, cochlear implants, orthopedic hardware], lead-based tattoos or pieces of metal close to or in an important organ
High-risk patients [e.g., heart failure, symptomatic coronary artery disease, liver impairment, history of stroke or myocardial infarction]
Inability to give or withdraw informed consent
Other factors which in the investigator's opinion would prevent the subject from completing the protocol including significant abnormalities in clinical, mental, or laboratory testing