Alterations in the dopamine system relevant to Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia and psychosis
Conditions
Interventions
n.v.t.
Sponsors
Amsterdam UMC
Eligibility
Age
18 Years to 99 Years
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: 1. Age 18-70 years old. 2. Sub-Saharan African or Dutch descent, as determined through self-report (parents and grandparents should be born in the corresponding region). After the study has been conducted, ancestry will be confirmed with genetic analysis. 3. Speaks Dutch or English.
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. Present or past (suspected) presence of severe psychiatric illness, such as schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, depressive disorder with psychotic features. 2. Present or past (suspected) presence of neurological disorder (e.g., Parkinson*s disease, epilepsy), evidence of brain damage, and/or other medical illness (e.g., diabetes mellitus) that may affect brain function. 3. Current or recent (past three months) use of illicit drugs, as determined by self-report and with a urinary drug test on the day of neuroimaging (the results of this drug test will be checked after the participant has completed the study). Participants will be tested on use of cannabis, amphetamines, XTC, cocaine and opiates. 4. Lifetime use of illicit drugs (in particular opiates, amphetamines, XTC, and cocaine; exclusion for other illicit drug use will be decided on a case-by-case basis), if frequently taken (>10x lifetime use of drugs). 5. Lifetime cannabis use, if frequently taken (weekly use for at least a year). 6. Current or recent (past three months) use of dopamine-altering medications/drugs that might influence neuroimaging of DAT availability, namely: amphetamines, cannabis, cocaine, CNS stimulants phentermine or ephedrines, modafinil, certain antidepressants (mazindol, bupropion, radafaxine), adrenergic agonists, anticholinergic drugs, opioids, anesthetics ketamine, PCP, or isoflurane. 7. Smoking or consuming caffeinated drinks during the period of six hours prior to the DAT SPECT scan. 8. Participation in a scientific examination that used radiation, in the last year. 9. (Non-removable) metal objects in or around the body. 10. In women: pregnancy (self-report or positive pregnancy test) and/or lactation.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| (1) In older participants (>=50 years old) only: Striatal dopamine transporter (DAT) availability, as assessed through [123I]-FP-CIT SPECT by examining the specific striatal [123I]-FP-CIT binding. (2) In all participants: Nigrostriatal dopaminergic functioning, as assessed with the neuromelanin-sensitive MRI (NM-MRI) contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in the substantia nigra. These outcomes will be compared between participants of Sub-Saharan African and Dutch descent. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. Subjective social status, i.e. the participant*s perceived standing (1) within Dutch society and (2) their community. This will be measured with the MacArthur Subjective Social Status Scale (MSSSS). 2. Scores on the Barratt Simplified Measure of Social Status (BSMSS), which reflects socioeconomic status (SES), i.e. the participant*s objective socioeconomic position in society, based on educational level and occupational status. Personal and household income will also be quantified. These outcomes will be correlated with striatal dopaminergic functioning and compared between Sub-Saharan African and Dutch participants. | — |
Countries
Netherlands
Contacts
Public ContactR Schalbroeck
Amsterdam UMC
Outcome results
None listed