Skip to content

PET Imaging of Noradrenergic Transmission in the Brain

PET Imaging of Noradrenergic Transmission in the Brain

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Phase 1
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07686393
Enrollment
40
Registered
2026-07-07
Start date
2026-08-14
Completion date
2030-02-20
Last updated
2026-08-31

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Healthy

Keywords

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Imaging, 11C-ARMI, Alpha-1A Adrenoreceptor ( 1A-AR), Healthy

Brief summary

Background: Researchers have developed a new radioactive tracer (11C-ARMI). A tracer is a drug that attaches itself to other chemicals in the body and lights up so that the chemicals can be seen in imaging scans. The new tracer may be able to help them with many diseases, such as Alzheimer s disease and Parkinson s disease. Researchers want to test the new tracer in healthy people. Objective: To test a new tracer (11C-ARMI) during imaging scans of the brain and body in healthy people. Eligibility: Healthy people aged 18 years and older. They must have been screened under protocols 01-M-0254 or 17M0181. Design: All participants will have a positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) scan. Before the scan, they will have blood and urine tests and a test of their heart function. The tracer will be given through a tube attached to a needle inserted into a vein in the arm. They will lie on a padded bed that fits inside a doughnut-shaped machine; the machine uses x-rays to create images of the inside of the body. Some participants will have a PET/CT scan of their whole body. They will need only 1 visit. Some participants will have a PET/CT scan of only their brain. They will have up to 2 visits. On the second visit, they will have a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain. For the MRI, they will lie on a table that slides into a cylinder. The MRI uses magnetic fields to create images of the inside of the body. Participants will receive a follow-up call to check on their well-being after their PET/CT scans.

Detailed description

Study Description: This study is intended to provide information on the novel 11C-ARMI radioligand and its ability to localize and measure Alpha-1A Adrenoreceptor (alpha-1A AR) in the brain and body of healthy volunteers. Objectives: Primary Objective: To study the brain uptake of 11C-ARMI and perform kinetic modeling of 11C-ARMI in healthy volunteers. Secondary Objectives: To study brain retest variability and reliability, biodistribution, and dosimetry of 11C-ARMI in healthy volunteers. Endpoint: Primary Endpoint: For both objectives, the primary endpoint is receptor density measured as distribution volume (VT). Secondary Endpoint: Radiation burden to the body and expressed as Effective Dose (ED).

Interventions

DRUG11C-ARMI

Injected IV followed by PET scanning

Sponsors

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Lead SponsorNIH

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 105 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Aged 18 years or older. 2. Must have undergone a screening assessment under protocol 01-M-0254, The Evaluation of Patients with Mood and Anxiety Disorders and Healthy Participants or 17M0181 Recruitment and Characterization of Healthy Research Volunteers for NIMH Intramural Studies. 3. Be healthy based on medical history, physical examination, and laboratory testing. 4. Able to understand and willingness to provide informed consent. 5. Willingness to complete all study procedures including MRI tests. 6. Have had their radial artery pulse checked for the presence of adequate ulnar collateral flow and the absence of any metal or foreign objects in both wrists. 7. Agree to adhere to the lifestyle considerations

Exclusion criteria

An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study: 1. Clinically significant abnormalities on EKG or laboratory testing. This includes CBC and acute care panel (Na, K, Cl, CO2, creatinine, glucose, urea nitrogen). 2. Recent exposure to radiation (i.e., PET from other research) that, when combined with this study, would be above the allowable limits. 3. Inability to lie flat on camera bed for at least two hours, including claustrophobia and weight greater than the maximum for the scanner (500 lbs). 4. HIV infection. 5. Pregnancy or breastfeeding. 6. Must not have substance use disorder or alcohol use disorder. 7. Unable to travel to the NIH. 8. Unable to have an MRI scan (e.g., because of pacemakers or other implanted electrical devices, brain stimulators, dental implants, aneurysm clips (metal clips on the wall of a large artery), metallic prostheses (including metal pins and rods, heart valves, and cochlear implants), permanent eyeliner, implanted delivery pumps, shrapnel fragments, or metal fragments in the eye. 9. Taking medications reported to have significant binding to alpha-1 adrenoceptors, medications that that alter norepinephrine release, or medications that lower blood pressure including antihypertensives, diuretics, or phosphodiesterase-5(PDE-5) inhibitors (e.g. sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil) within five elimination halflives prior to any \[11C\]ARMI PET scan. 10. Known hypersensitivity to quinazoline-class medications (e.g., prazosin), defined as any prior allergic or clinically significant adverse reaction requiring discontinuation or medical evaluation. 11. Blood donation within 8 weeks (2 months) before study participation, or unwillingness to avoid blood donation for 8 weeks (2 months) after the study.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
To measure distribution volume24 monthsTarget quantification

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
To measure variability distribution volume24 months

Countries

United States

Contacts

CONTACTTara N Turon, C.R.N.P.
tara.turon@nih.gov(301) 827-6599
CONTACTRobert B Innis, M.D.
robert.innis@nih.gov(301) 594-1368
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORRobert B Innis, M.D.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Sep 1, 2026