Clinical Laboratory Evaluation of Chronic Autonomic Failure

Completed

Conditions studied: Parkinson's Disease, Multiple System Atrophy, Autonomic Failure

In brief

Background: The autonomic nervous system controls automatic body functions. Researchers want to improve the tests used to diagnose autonomic failure. Orthostatic hypertension is a drop in blood pressure when a person stands up. Researchers want to focus on this sign of autonomic failure. Objective: To improve testing for conditions that cause autonomic nervous system failure. Eligibility: People ages 18 and older in one of these categories: * Their blood pressure drops when they get up. * They have had a heart transplant or bilateral endoscopic thoracic sympathectomies or have had or will have renal sympathetic ablation Design: All participants will be screened with: * Medical history * Physical exam * Blood and urine tests Some participants will be screened with: * Heart and breathing tests * IV placement into an arm vein * Tilt table testing: Participants lie on a table that tilts while an IV is used to draw their blood. Participants may stay in the hospital for up to 1 week depending on their tests. Tests may include repeats of screening tests and: * Sweat testing: A drug is placed on the skin to cause sweating. Sensors on the skin measure moisture. * Lumbar puncture: A needle is inserted between the bones in the back to collect fluid. * MRI and PET/CT scan: Participants lie on a table that slides into a scanner. For the PET/CT, a small amount of a radioactive chemical will be injected with a small amount of a radioactive chemical. * Bladder catheter placement to collect urine * Skin biopsies: A punch tool removes a small skin sample. * Tests to see how the pupils react to light * Smelling tests * Thinking and memory tests * Questionnaires Participants may have a visit about 2 years later to repeat tests.

Key facts

Study ID
NCT03648905
Run by
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
People needed
89
Starts
2018-09-06
Expected to finish
2026-07-15
Last updated by the study team
2026-08-04

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 120. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

Where it is running

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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