Orthostatic Hypotension

This is an open-label, first in human (FiH) positron emission tomography (PET) microdose study in patients with suspected α-synuclein pathology and healthy volunteers (HVs) using \[18F\]ACI-15916 as a novel radioligand. This study will be dedicated to qualification of the ligand \[18F\]ACI-15916 to measure α-synuclein pathology using PET investigations, including estimation of effective dose and test-retest reliability. The study consists of four parts in which a total of up to 46 participants may be included: * Part 1: Up to 5 HVs and up to 5 patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD) will be included. * Part 2: Up to 30 additional subjects including: HV cases (maximum 10) and patients with α-synucleinopathies such as PD, Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) and Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB). * Part 3: Up to 10 participants from Part 1 and/or Part 2 will have a second PET measurement within one month after their initial PET measurement to evaluate test-retest variability and reproducibility. * Part 4. Up to 6 HVs (3 female and 3 male) will undergo a whole-body PET-CT examination to estimate the effective dose after one administration of \[18F\]ACI-15916. The four study parts can overlap. The study consists of a screening period of up to 60 days to assess participants' eligibility, a PET scan with \[18F\]ACI-15916 along with arterial blood sampling, and a safety phone call following the scanning visit. For participants in Part 3, a second PET scan with \[18F\]ACI-15916 will be performed up to one month after the first scan to evaluate test-retest variability and reproducibility, followed by a new safety phone call. For subjects in Part 4 (dosimetry), no arterial blood sampling will be performed. The total study duration will be up to 10 weeks for Part 1, 2 and 4 participants and up to 14 weeks for Part 3 participants.

Alpha-synucleinopathies refer to age-related neurodegenerative and dementing disorders, characterized by the accumulation of alpha-synuclein in neurons and/or glia. The anatomical location of alpha-synuclein inclusions (Lewy Bodies) and the pattern of progressive neuronal death (e.g. caudal to rostral brainstem) give rise to distinct neurological phenotypes, including Parkinson's disease (PD), Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB). Common to these disorders are the involvement of the central and peripheral autonomic nervous system, where Pure Autonomic Failure (PAF) is thought (a) to be restricted to the peripheral autonomic system, and (b) a clinical risk factor for the development of a central synucleinopathy, and (c) an ideal model to assess biomarkers that predict phenoconversion to PD, MSA, or DLB. Such biomarkers would aid in clinical trial inclusion criteria to ensure assessments of disease- modifying strategies to, delay, or halt, the neurodegenerative process. One of these biomarkers may be related to the neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) and related changes in the substantia nigra (SN) and brainstem. \[18F\]F-DOPA is a radiolabeled substrate for aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AAADC), an enzyme involved in the production of dopamine. Use of this radiolabeled substrate in positron emission tomography (PET) may provide insight to changes in monoamine production and how they relate to specific phenoconversions in PAF patients. Overall, this study aims to identify changes in dopamine production in key regions including the SN, locus coeruleus, and brainstem to distinguish between patients with PD, MSA, and DLB, which may provide vital information to predict conversion from peripheral to central nervous system disease.

This will be a randomized, double-blind, parallel-arm study in which the subjects will undergo a tilt table test following 2 doses of ondansetron 8 mg PO (evening before and morning of study) or after 2 doses of matching placebo (on separate days). On the morning of the study, the fasting subject (except for medications) will be instrumented, on an empty bladder. ECG electrodes will be applied to monitor continuous heart rhythm. BP will be monitored continuously using a finger volume clamp method using one or more of several extant devices, and calibrated with intermittent brachial cuff measurements. One intravenous cannula will be placed in the contralateral arm (to the BP cuff) for blood sampling. 3.9. Tilt Table Protocol: Following the insertion of the venous cannulae, a period of at least 20 minutes will be allowed to elapse before a 10-minute basal control (baseline) period. Baseline data will be digitally recorded in this time. In the last 5 minutes of this period, blood will be drawn for fractionated plasma catecholamines. The table will be rapidly raised to 80 degrees for up to 60 minutes. The Investigators are avoiding tilt test methods with provocative medications to avoid the issue of multiple causal factors. At 10 minutes and 30 minutes following onset of tilt (or at the onset of severe presyncope or hypotension \[systolic BP \<70 mmHg\]), venous fractionated catecholamines will be sampled. The study will be terminated if the subject develops syncope or at the completion of the protocol. 3.10. Assessment of Central Volume Changes with Upright Posture: Segmental bioelectrical impedance (BEI) will measure fluid shifts through the study to determine central volume changes with upright posture and in response to changing levels of CO2. The fluid content in the upper torso (chest), the lower torso (abdominal), thigh, and calf will be assessed. BEI is measured by passing a small current between electrodes and measuring the impedance with voltage-sensing electrodes to determine fluid content in four regions of the body . Body segment volume is inversely proportional to electrical resistance (V\~1/R), so an increase in resistance reflects a loss of body fluid. 3.11. Questionnaires: A brief online questionnaire will be administered to the patients to get a metric of their health-related quality of life (RAND-36), and anxiety and depression symptoms (HADS). This will be administered through RedCap Survey.

This is a study to evaluate the effects of CST-3056 on orthostatic symptoms in subjects with nOH. Subjects who use direct or indirect α1-AR agonists for treatment of nOH will need to discontinue those treatments for at least 1 day or 5 half-lives (whichever is longer) prior to assessment of orthostatic measures during Screening, and again prior to initiation of dosing for study drug on Day 1. Following confirmation of eligibility, subjects will be enrolled and participate in a single-blind dose ranging study. Single oral doses of CST-3056 will be administered once-daily for five days (Days 1 through 4 and the Optimal Dose Day \[Day 5\]), as tolerated. The Individual Optimal Dose will be determined based on observations for each subject over Day 1 through Day 4, including standing blood pressure, and safety/tolerability of the dose. Between 3-7 days after discharge from the in-patient stay, the Investigator or designee will contact the subject by telephone to review the subject's health status. Any adverse events reported by phone will be recorded and followed as medically appropriate as determined by the Investigator.

Acutelines is a prospective biobank including patients with a broad spectrum of acute conditions. Its aim is to facilitate interdisciplinary research on the etiology and development of acute diseases with the aid of systematically collected biomaterials and medical data over various timepoints, both during the course of the patient's disease and after recovery. Clinical data, imaging data and biomaterial (i.e. blood, urine, feces, hair) are collected for patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with a broad range of acute disease presentations. A deferred consent procedure (by proxy), is in place to allow collecting data and biomaterials prior to obtaining written consent. The digital infrastructure in place and the software used ensures automated capturing of all bed-side monitoring data (i.e. electrophysiological waveforms, vital parameters), and the secure importation of data from other sources, such as the electronic health records of the hospital, ambulance and general practitioner, municipal registration, health insurance companies and pharmacy. Follow up data are collected for all included patients during the first 72-hours of their hospitalization and 3-months, 1-year, 2-years and 5 years after their ED visit. Data and materials to be collected includes: * Demographic and health data (i.e. \[experiences\] health, quality of life, functional status) * Medical history (i.e. co-morbidity, intoxications, medication use) * Admission reason to emergency department * Physical examination and vital parameters * Clinical diagnostic data (i.e. \[point-of-care\] ultrasound, X-ray, CT-scan, laboratory results) * Electrophysiological waveforms (i.e. electrocardiogram \[ECG\], plethysmography) * Biomaterials * Treatment (i.e. medication use, non-pharmacological treatment, treatment decisions, length-of-stay in hospital, admission to intensive care unit \[ICU\])

Objective This prospective study benchmarks the accuracy of CorEFS AI software in estimating ejection fraction (EF) severity categories using continuous ECG waveforms from the FDA-cleared Peerbridge Cor® ECG device, calibrated to the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) scale. Background Heart failure (HF) remains a significant public health issue, particularly in older adults (75+), with high morbidity and mortality rates. Half of HF cases involve reduced EF (HFrEF), a condition associated with a 75% five-year mortality rate. Despite advancements in HF management, accessible, low-cost EF monitoring is lacking. Echocardiography (Echo) is the gold standard for EF measurement but is limited in ambulatory and home settings. Continuous ECG wearables like the Peerbridge Cor® offer a promising alternative, providing high diagnostic yield, low wear burden, and real-time EF estimation. Previous studies (References 1-11) demonstrate the potential of AI-enabled ECG analysis in EF prediction, with accuracies up to 91.4% and AUCs of 0.94 in estimating EF severity. Successful demonstration of the proposed endpoints to clinically acceptable statistical thresholds will provide a new and alternative capability for EF severity assessments compared to ultrasound, MRI, and other imaging modalities where access is limited. Hypothesis Specific ECG changes may identify left ventricular dysfunction (LVSD) and predict EF severity, enabling low-burden, cost-effective EF monitoring in high-risk populations. Study Design Participant Enrollment and Setup Participants will receive the Peerbridge Cor® wearable, with data collection occurring through: In-clinic setup: Study staff apply and initiate device use. Patient Home Setup (PHS): Telehealth guidance for independent device application (20% of participants). Subprotocols A: 30 minutes of Cor® ECG recording; 15 minutes analyzed. B: Up to 7 days of Cor® device use with periodic 15-minute sitting sessions. EF Reference Standard EF severity will be determined via FDA-cleared transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), using the Simpson's Bi-Plane Method. Data Collection Peerbridge Cor® ECG Data: 30 minutes recorded; 15 minutes analyzed in 5-minute segments. Echo Study: Conducted before or during Cor® recording. 12-Lead ECG: Simultaneous recording with the Cor® device. Participants log sessions using the Cor® device's Event button. De-identified medical histories will support subgroup analyses. Endpoints Agreement between Cor® ECG-derived EF severity and Echo results will be assessed across ASE-defined categories (Normal, Mild, Moderate, Severe). Positive predictive value (PPV) adjusted for prevalence will be calculated. This streamlined protocol validates CorEFS software for reliable, cost-effective EF monitoring and clinical decision support.

A quantitative evaluation method was developed for Parkinson's disease and other atypical parkinonism by integrating an innovative motor paradigm with perception technologies and artificial intelligence. Combined with traditional motor paradigms and the acute levodopa challenge test, this study aims to identify diagnostic cut-off values for PD and other atypical parkinonism, explore digital biomarkers for early and differential diagnosis, and establish a corresponding diagnostic model.

Background: Severe Acute Kidney Injury that necessitates renal replacement therapy (AKI-RRT) is a frequent complication of critical illness and portends severe outcomes: high morbidity, an approximately 50% risk of in-hospital death, and increased healthcare resource utilization. Although life-saving when needed, RRT itself may contribute to the poor outcomes associated with AKI-RRT. Since RRT treatments frequently cause hypotension, repeated episodes of kidney and other organ ischemia may occur during RRT. Hypotension during RRT is often triggered by fluid removal. At the same time, there is some evidence that more aggressive ultrafiltration could be beneficial in AKI-RRT. Albumin is a protein that is the primary contributor to the colloid oncotic pressure maintaining the effective circulating volume (ECV) during RRT. Critically ill patients with AKI-RRT are nearly always hypoalbuminemic. Despite its high cost and limited evidence to support the practice, intravenous hyperoncotic albumin is commonly administered to patients with AKI-RRT in an effort to boost the colloid oncotic pressure and maintain the blood pressure while simultaneously facilitating fluid removal Objective: This proposed trial is intended to provide definitive evidence as to the efficacy of a frequently used and expensive intervention to promote hemodynamic stability and augment ultrafiltration during RRT in critically ill patients Design: A randomized controlled trial with two parallel arms. Setting: The mixed medical-surgical intensive care units of five Canadian tertiary care hospitals with plans to expand to include other centres across Canada and internationally. Study Population: 856 patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with AKI requiring treatment with RRT . Intervention: Participants will be randomized 1:1 to receive either albumin (20-25%) boluses or normal saline placebo boluses at the start and halfway through RRT sessions in ICU, during their RRT treatments to a maximum of 14 days.

This is a cross-sectional, observational case-control study planned to investigate the relationship between autonomic nervous system dysfunction and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) in patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia according to the 2016 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria. Participants will include adult females and males aged 18-50 years. Demographic and clinical data will be collected, including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and disease duration. Autonomic symptom burden will be assessed using the Composite Autonomic Symptom Score 31 (COMPASS-31). Fibromyalgia severity and its impact on daily functioning will be measured using the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR). Central sensitization symptoms will be evaluated with the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI). All participants will undergo choroidal imaging using optical coherence tomography (OCT; Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany). CVI will be calculated as the ratio of luminal area to total choroidal area. To reduce operator-dependent variability, CVI quantification will be performed using an open-access artificial intelligence-assisted tool designed for choroidal layer analysis (ChoroidAI / choroidometer.com), with standardized image acquisition conditions. Primary analyses will compare CVI between the fibromyalgia and control groups and evaluate associations between CVI and autonomic symptom burden, fibromyalgia impact, and central sensitization measures.

This is a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, parallel group study to compare the efficacy of the automated abdominal binder (inflated to 40 mm Hg) versus sham treatment (abdominal binder inflated to 5 mm Hg) in improving orthostatic tolerance in patients with primary autonomic failure disabled by orthostatic hypotension. Potential participants will be admitted to the Vanderbilt Clinical Research Center for evaluation of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Eligible patients will be randomized to the active or sham binder group. Patients will then be asked to participate on three separate study days, two days apart: one day for baseline measurements (placebo pill t.i.d), one day for treatment with 10 mg midodrine t.i.d (standard of care), and one day for treatment with active or sham binder combined with placebo pill t.i.d. The order of the study days will be randomized. On each study day, blood pressure and heart rate will be measured while sitting, lying down, standing and walking during the Morning Orthostatic Trial, and posture and walking tests.