Actively Recruiting
Mechanisms Underlying Carbon Dioxide Induced Protein Efflux in Health and Traumatic Brain Injury
Led by Andrew Mayer · Updated on 2026-02-23
200
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
56 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating whether different levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) exposure can safely increase the movement of proteins from the brain into the blood, which may indicate improved brain waste clearance. The study includes individuals with and without a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) to understand how CO2 affects brain clearance in both health and disease. The study uses a counter-balanced design to compare responses to CO2 doses in participants aged 18 to 82 years. Participants will receive controlled doses of CO2 targeting changes of about 5 or 10 mmHg in end-tidal CO2 during a hypercapnia task performed while undergoing MRI scans. Each participant will receive both CO2 dose levels at different visits in random order, without knowing which dose is given at each session. The study measures cerebrovascular reactivity and protein efflux as indicators of brain waste clearance, using blood draws and advanced MRI imaging. During the study, participants will have blood samples taken at multiple time points before and after CO2 exposure to measure protein levels. They will also undergo MRI scans to assess cerebrovascular function and cerebrospinal fluid flow. Researchers will monitor symptoms after CO2 dosing and collect data over several hours per visit. The total participation involves multiple visits spaced about one week apart, with detailed assessments to understand how CO2 influences brain clearance mechanisms in both healthy individuals and those with TBI.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Carbon Dioxide Administration and Brain Waste Clearance
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Able to give valid informed consent
- Aged 18 to 82 years
- For TBI group: history of traumatic brain injury sustained at age 18 or older, confirmed by specific criteria
- For healthy group: no history of TBI
You will not qualify if you...
- Contraindications to MRI such as pregnancy or claustrophobia
- Unable to give valid informed consent or incarcerated
- Diagnosed with Alzheimer's, ADRD, or mild cognitive impairment
- History of autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disability, serious neurological or psychiatric disorders prior to TBI onset
- Current or previous diagnosis of psychosis spectrum disorder or bipolar disorder
- Respiratory diseases or pulmonary conditions increasing risk (e.g., severe asthma, COPD)
- History of cardiac arrhythmias
- Current substance use disorder or recent substance use in healthy group
- Non-English fluency
- Weighing under 110 pounds (for blood draw)
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Multiple visits over the study period
Participants undergo a hypercapnia task during fMRI where they are exposed to controlled levels of carbon dioxide to assess cerebrovascular and protein responses.
Multiple visits for hypercapnia tasks with fMRI and blood draws
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
The Mind Research Network
Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States, 87106
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
J
Jody Roberts, MS
A
Andrew Mayer R The Mind Research Network, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
2
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