Longitudinal Investigation of I2BS in PD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Longitudinal Investigation of Imidazoline-2 Binding Site as a Novel Marker of Disease Progression in Parkinson’s Disease: An [11C]BU99008 PET Study
IRAS ID
281132
Contact name
Marios Politis
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Exeter
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
In this study, we would like to study some cells of the brain called astroglia in a condition called Parkinson’s disease. Astroglia are a population of cells that can induce and maintain inflammation in the brain. It has been seen that the brains of people with Parkinson’s disease have many signs of prolonged inflammation. We think that this prolonged state of inflammation can be noxious for the brain and contribute to the loss of the cells and the onset of symptoms. We will use PET imaging with a tracer called [11C]BU99008 to study the degree of activity of astroglia and, indirectly, of inflammation, in people with the idiopathic and the familial forms of Parkinson’s disease. As example of familial form of Parkinson’s disease, we will study a group of carriers of a genetic mutation to a gene called SNCA that causes a familial form very similar to idiopathic Parkinson’s disease. We will also use MRI imaging to study the structure and microstructure of the brain connections, SPECT imaging to study the cells producing dopamine, and blood, and cerebrospinal fluid, to study the changes in the concentration of substances important for Parkinson’s disease.
We will study the participants at two time points. At baseline, and after about one year, to understand the levels of change in these parameters.REC name
London - London Bridge Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/LO/0141
Date of REC Opinion
7 Apr 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion