Dopamine Receptor Imaging to Predict Response to Stimulant Therapy in Chronic TBI

Completed · Phase 2

Conditions studied: Cognition Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury

In brief

Deficits in memory, attention, cognitive, and executive functions are the most common disabilities after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Dopamine (DA) neurotransmission is implicated in these neural functions and dopaminergic pathways are recognized to be frequently disrupted after TBI. Methylphenidate increases synaptic DA levels by binding to presynaptic dopamine transporters (DAT) and blocking re-uptake. The objectives of this study are to use PET imaging with \[11C\]-raclopride, a D2/D3 receptor ligand, before and after administering methylphenidate, to measure endogenous DA release in patients who are experiencing problems with cognition, attention and executive function in the chronic stage after TBI. In addition, we will use TMS to test short intracortical inhibition, a gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor A (GABAA) - mediated phenomenon, which is under partial DA control, as a measure of dopaminergic activity on and off

Key facts

Study ID
NCT02225106
Run by
University of Pennsylvania
People needed
11
Starts
2014-08-06
Expected to finish
2017-06-21
Last updated by the study team
2019-11-15

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 55. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

Where it is running

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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