Status:

ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

fMRI in Postural Tachycardia Syndrome

Lead Sponsor:

Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Collaborating Sponsors:

National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)

Conditions:

Postural Tachycardia Syndrome

Eligibility:

All Genders

18-60 years

Phase:

NA

Brief Summary

Postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is one of the most common forms of chronic orthostatic intolerance in the United States. This is a disabling disorder characterized by an excessive increase in hea...

Detailed Description

A randomized, double blind, crossover study will be conducted to determine if there are differences in resting brain structure and blood oxygen perfusion in postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) compar...

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

  • Men and women of all races or ethnicity
  • Age 18-60
  • Healthy volunteers or previously diagnosed with POTS by current consensus criteria (rise in heart rate of at least 30 beats/minute within 10 minutes of standing; absence of orthostatic hypotension defined as a drop in blood pressure greater than 20/10 mmHg within 3 minutes of standing; and presence of daily orthostatic symptoms for at least 6 months such as lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea, and palpitations).
  • Healthy participants must have cognitive testing scores within normal range (defined by Stroop word-color test score between 40-70) and be able to tolerate lower body negative pressure.
  • POTS participants must have either mild cognitive dysfunction (defined by Stroop word-color t-score \<40 and \>30) or normal cognitive function (defined by Stroop word-color test score between 40-70), and able to tolerate lower body negative pressure.
  • Capable of giving informed consent
  • Fluent in written and spoken English

Exclusion

  • Age \<18 years or \>60 years
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women
  • Left handedness
  • Require glasses for vision correction (contact lenses are okay)
  • Current smokers
  • Alcohol or drug abuse
  • Recreational drug use (e.g. cannabis, heroin, cocaine)
  • Other potential causes for tachycardia (e.g. prolonged bed rest, dehydration)
  • Taking selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors or stimulant medications within the past 3 months as these may alter cognition
  • Unable to tolerate an MRI scanner (e.g. claustrophobia, implanted metal)
  • Unable to give or withdraw informed consent

Key Trial Info

Start Date :

February 18 2022

Trial Type :

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation :

ACTUAL

End Date :

December 1 2026

Estimated Enrollment :

21 Patients enrolled

Trial Details

Trial ID

NCT04137757

Start Date

February 18 2022

End Date

December 1 2026

Last Update

September 19 2025

Active Locations (1)

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Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States, 17033