Exposure to Polluted Air
Conditions
Brief summary
To evaluate neurological findings with TSPO-PET and MRI in patients who have been exposed to indoor air pollutants and have potentially neurological symptoms.
Detailed description
Health problems related to indoor air pollutants have been studied for several decades but there is still not sufficient scientific evidence to prove the association between many of the described symptoms and exposure to mold and other air pollutants. This research aims on studying the activation of microglia and inflammation in the brains of individuals exposed to indoor air pollutants having neurological symptoms with MRI and TSPO-PET imaging, questionnaires and biomarkers and compare the findings to individuals having neurological conditions without exposure to indoor air pollutants as well as healthy controls.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
Turku University Hospital
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
All: * Signing the informed consent form * Adults over 18 years of age Indoor air pollutant groups: * Exposed to indoor air pollutants * Neurological symptoms Neurological symptoms groups: * Neurological symptoms possibly due to adverse external exposure Healthy controls: * Reported healthy person
Exclusion criteria
All: * Pregnancy or breast-feeding * Corticosteroid treatment within 4 weeks of imaging * Patients with claustrophobia, or a history of moderate to severe anxiety disorder or panic attacks (which could potentially lead to preterm termination of the imaging) * Contraindication to PET scan and MRI investigations * Exposure to experimental radiation in the past 12 months such that radiodosimetry limits would be exceeded by participating in this study. * Intolerance to previous PET scans; i.e. previous hypersensitivity reactions to any PET ligand or imaging agent or failure to participate in and comply with previous PET scans. Neurological symptoms groups and healthy controls: * Exposure to indoor air pollutants
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| [11C]PK11195 binding in the brain | Baseline | Change in microglial activity in the brains of the individuals in different study groups as measured by \[11C\]PK11195 PET imaging |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Results from questionnaires | Baseline | Questionnaires about quality of life compared between the indoor air pollutant and neurological symptoms groups |
| Blood biomarkers | Baseline | Biomarkers measured from blood to assess the possible inflammatory state of individuals in different study groups |
| DTI-MRI metrics | Baseline | To evaluate the microstructural damage of the brain between individuals in different groups |
| Electromyography measures | Baseline | Done additionally if clinical studies indicate necessary, rating each examined muscle as normal/myopathic/neuropathic |
| Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers | Baseline | Biomarkers measured from cerebrospinal fluid to assess the possible inflammatory state of individuals in different study groups |
| Neurography measures | Baseline | Done additionally if clinical studies indicate necessary, to assess the state of peripheral nerves |
Countries
Finland
Outcome results
None listed