Comparing Cardiac 18F-MFBG PET and 123I-MIBG SPECT to Differentiate Parkinsons Disease, Multiple System Atrophy, Dementia with Lewy Bodies, and Alzheimers Disease

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the use of 18F-MFBG PET scans to assess heart nerve activity in people with Parkinsons disease PD, multiple system atrophy MSA, dementia with Lewy bodies DLB, and Alzheimers disease AD. The study compares this method with the current standard 123I-MIBG SPECT scans, focusing on distinguishing between PD and MSA as well as DLB and AD. This is a prospective study conducted at two centers, aiming to validate the accuracy and feasibility of 18F-MFBG PET for these neurological conditions. Participants will undergo several imaging tests including dynamic cardiac 18F-MFBG PET, 123I-MIBG SPECT, and cerebral 18F-PE2I PET scans. Healthy volunteers and patients with confirmed diagnoses will be included, with groups divided by age and disease duration. A dosimetry study will also be conducted for healthy volunteers to measure radiation exposure from 18F-MFBG. Multiple visits to the hospital are required for scans and assessments. During the study, participants will have thorough neurological assessments, brain MRI scans, and blood sampling alongside PET and SPECT imaging. Researchers will evaluate diagnostic accuracy, effect size of tracer uptake changes, and relationships between heart nerve imaging and brain dopamine transporter changes and autonomic dysfunction. The study includes monitoring for safety and will analyze regional heart uptake patterns. Participants can expect 3 to 4 hospital visits with detailed imaging and clinical evaluations over the study period.

[18F]-MFBG Versus [123I]-MIBG and [18F]-PE2I in PD vs. MSA and DLB vs. AD