Study of Brain Blood Flow During Induced Hypercapnia (Excess Blood Carbon Dioxide)

Completed

Conditions studied: Healthy, Hypercapnia

In brief

This study will evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI ) methods for measuring changes in the brain's blood flow during hypercapnia (a condition of excess carbon dioxide in the blood). MRI is a diagnostic tool that uses a large magnet and radio waves to produce images of the body without X-rays. Healthy normal volunteers in this study may have as many as six MRI scans over a 2-year period. For this procedure, the person lies on a stretcher placed in a strong magnetic field produced by the MRI machine. During the scan, the person's blood carbon dioxide (CO2 ) levels will be increased either by: 1) breathing air mixtures containing up to 5% CO2; or 2) receiving an intravenous (I.V.) injection of a drug called acetazolamide. Persons who breathe CO2 will have their heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen levels monitored throughout the procedure. Those receiving acetazolamide will have the drug injected intravenously (I.V.) into an arm vein. If the volunteer experiences any unpleasant side effects from the CO2 or acetazolamide, the study will be stopped. The information gained from this study will be used to develop better ways to study brain function, possibly leading to better diagnostic and treatment methods.

Key facts

Study ID
NCT00001845
Run by
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)
People needed
30
Starts
1999-09-01
Expected to finish
2004-08-01
Last updated by the study team
2008-03-04

Who can join

Age: any. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

You may not qualify if…

Where it is running

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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