Actively Recruiting
Use of Total-Body PET to Quantify Systemic and Cutaneous Inflammation in Psoriasis Patients Before and After Intervention With a Nutritionally Balanced Diet
Led by University of California, Davis · Updated on 2026-02-18
5
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
86 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the skin and joints in 2-3 % of people in the United States. This inflammation of the skin, joints, and blood vessels in patients with psoriasis has been measured by older PET Scan technology but with limitations. With the new EXPLORER PET scanner technology, the investigators are testing to see if the EXPLORER is better than previous PET scanners and improve our ability to assess inflammation in patients. Also, it is known that the typical Western Diet - high in saturated fats, added sugars, and low in fiber - contributes to obesity and inflammation worldwide. There is evidence in animals that these signs of inflammation are reversible within 4 weeks when changed to a more balanced diet. Thus, this study aims to assess whether there are detectable decreases in inflammation of the skin and body of psoriasis patients who usually eat a Western Diet on an EXPLORER PET scan following 6 weeks of a more balanced diet.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Use of Total-Body PET to Quantify Systemic and Cutaneous Inflammation in Psoriasis Patients Before and After Intervention With a Nutritionally Balanced Diet
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Adults older than 18 years
- Both males and females
- History of psoriasis affecting at least 3% of the body surface area
- May have a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis
- Body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher
- Willing and able to fast for at least 6 hours before and during PET scan visits
- No strenuous exercise for 24 hours before scans
- Habitually consume a Western Diet as assessed by food questionnaires with a poor dietary pattern score below 58
You will not qualify if you...
- Taking anti-diabetic medications
- Already following a calorie- or component-restricted diet
- Vegan, vegetarian, or have food allergies/intolerances to the study diet
- More than 5% change in body weight in the last 2 months
- Taking systemic medications for psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis within 3 months before or during the study
- Claustrophobia or anxiety in closed spaces
- Uncontrolled diabetes or blood glucose over 180 mg/dl at radiotracer injection
- Body weight over 240 kg due to scanner limits
- Known inflammatory or infectious diseases that may affect results
- Pregnant or breastfeeding (pregnancy test required for those who can become pregnant)
- Unable to lie still with arms by sides for up to 60 minutes during scans
- Currently in another conflicting research study or had a PET scan for research in past 12 months
- Unwilling or unable to provide informed consent
- Prisoners
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of California, Davis - Dermatology Department
Sacramento, California, United States, 95816
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
S
Salsala Nasim, BS
CONTACT
S
Samuel T Hwang, MD, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
OTHER
Number of Arms
1
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here