Protocol Number: 99-CC-0163

Title:

Functional and Metabolic Imaging Using Magnetic Resonance at 3.0 Tesla

Number:

99-CC-0163

Summary:

This study will evaluate new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI ) methods using a MRI machine more powerful than those in most hospitals. MRI is a diagnostic tool that uses a large magnet and radio waves to produce images of the human body. It can also provide information about brain chemistry and physiology. This study will use the new MRI hardware and methods to measure blood flow and metabolism in regions of the brain during simple tasks, such as listening to tones or watching flashing checkerboards.

Healthy normal volunteers will undergo MRI scanning. For this procedure, the person lies on a stretcher that is moved into a MRI machine, which produces a strong magnetic field. A special lightweight coil is placed on the person's head to obtain better pictures. The scan time ranges from 20 minutes to 2 hours, with the average scan lasting between 45 and 90 minutes. Some persons will be asked to have a contrast agent called gadolinium DTPA injected into their arm through an intravenous catheter (a thin tube placed in a vein). This substance improves scan pictures and is often used in routine MRI brain scans.

During the MRI, the person may be asked to perform simple tasks, such as listening to tones or watching a screen, tapping fingers or moving a hand. More complex tasks may require thinking about tones or pictures and responding to them by pressing buttons.

The images produced in this study will be compared with those produced using standard MRI. The results will be used to develop improved imaging methods for better patient care and research.

Sponsoring Institute:

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)

Recruitment Detail

Type: Participants currently recruited/enrolled

Gender: Male & Female

Referral Letter Required: No

Population Exclusion(s): Children

Eligibility Criteria:

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

a. age 18 and older

b. capable of providing own informed consent

c. capable of filling out MRI screening form

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

a. contraindications for MRI including aneurysm clip; implanted neural stimulator; implanted cardiac pacemaker or auto-defibrillator; cochlear implant; ocular foreign body (e.g. metal shavings); or insulin pump, or other metal in the body.

b. pregnancy

c. Subjects will be excluded if it is deemed that they have a condition that would preclude their participation for technical development (e.g. claustrophobia)

d. Subjects will be excluded if they present unnecessary risk (e.g. Brain surgery of uncertain type, etc.).

Special Instructions:

Currently Not Provided

Keywords:

MRI/MRS

Functional MRI

Metabolic Imaging

Brain

Recruitment Keyword(s):

Healthy Volunteer

Condition(s):

Healthy

Investigational Drug(s):

None

Investigational Device(s):

None

Intervention(s):

None

Supporting Site:

Warren G. Magnuson Clinical Center

Contact(s):

Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office
Building 61
10 Cloister Court
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4754
Toll Free: 1-800-411-1222
TTY: 301-594-9774 (local),1-866-411-1010 (toll free)
Fax: 301-480-9793

Electronic Mail:prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov

Citation(s):

Brain magnetic resonance imaging with contrast dependent on blood oxygenation

Functional mapping of the human visual cortex by magnetic resonance imaging

Functional magnetic resonance imaging of the human brain: data acquisition and analysis

• Questions about participating in a study, please contact the Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office, CC.
• Technical questions regarding the Clinical Center web site, please contact the Department of Clinical Research Informatics, CC.

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National Institutes of Health Clinical Center Bethesda, Maryland 20892. Last update: 11/25/2009