100 Participants Needed

Microglial Activation for Asthma

(MAIA-SC Trial)

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Overseen ByDanika Klaus
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: University of Wisconsin, Madison
Must be taking: Biologic immunomodulators
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how asthma might affect the brain and whether it links to depression and anxiety symptoms. Participants will undergo various tests, including questionnaires, brain scans, and breathing tests, to compare results between those with severe asthma and those without asthma. Suitable candidates have had a physician's diagnosis of asthma for at least six months and experience frequent asthma-related symptoms.

As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding the broader impacts of asthma on mental health.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial does not clearly state if you need to stop all current medications, but it mentions that you must hold certain medications as detailed in a medication hold schedule. If you are on psychotropic or biologic medications, or non-selective beta-blockers, you may need to stop them, depending on the study team's discretion.

What prior data suggests that PET/MRI using [18F]FEPPA tracer is safe?

Research has shown that the [18F]FEPPA tracer used in PET/MRI scans is generally safe and well-tolerated. This tracer highlights brain areas during imaging by attaching to specific proteins linked to brain inflammation.

Although detailed safety data for [18F]FEPPA in humans remains limited, its common use in brain imaging suggests it is likely safe in clinical settings. No specific side effects have been reported, indicating a good safety profile.

PET/MRI scans are non-invasive and widely used in medical diagnostics, providing detailed images of the body's internal structures without causing harm. Participants in this trial can expect a safe imaging experience.12345

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it aims to uncover the differences in microglial activation between people with severe asthma and those without it. Unlike conventional asthma treatments that focus on managing symptoms and inflammation in the airways, this study could reveal how immune cells in the brain might play a role in asthma. Understanding these differences could open up new avenues for treatment, potentially leading to therapies that target the brain's immune response to improve asthma management. This is a groundbreaking approach that could change how we think about and treat asthma in the future.

What evidence suggests that PET/MRI using [18F]FEPPA tracer is effective for studying asthma's impact on brain function?

Research shows that PET/MRI scans using the [18F]FEPPA tracer can effectively display brain activity linked to inflammation. Past studies have used this method to visualize the response of certain brain cells, known as microglial activation, which occurs in various conditions. Although direct evidence for asthma is limited, this imaging technique holds promise for detecting brain inflammation. In this trial, participants with and without asthma will undergo PET/MRI scans using the [18F]FEPPA tracer. The [18F]FEPPA tracer has monitored similar changes in other inflammatory diseases, suggesting it could help researchers understand how asthma affects the brain. This approach might uncover links between airway inflammation and mental health symptoms like depression and anxiety.16789

Who Is on the Research Team?

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Melissa Rosenkranz, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

Inclusion Criteria

I can understand and am willing to sign the consent form.
I have no health issues that could interfere with the study.
I can undergo a practice MRI scan without issues.
See 4 more

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Assessment

Participants complete questionnaires, computer tasks, undergo allergy skin test and breathing tests, give blood and sputum samples, and complete brain imaging scans

2 weeks
3 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after assessments

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • PET/MRI using [18F]FEPPA tracer

How Is the Trial Designed?

2

Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Participants without asthmaExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group II: Participants with asthmaExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Lead Sponsor

Trials
1,249
Recruited
3,255,000+

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Collaborator

Trials
1,841
Recruited
28,150,000+

Citations

Comparison of Microglial Activation in Severe Asthma and ...

Participants with asthma, Intervention/Treatment, Combination Product : PET/MRI using [18F]FEPPA tracer. PET/MRI scans with [18F]FEPPA radiotracer selective ...

Utilizing MRI, [18F]FDG-PET and [89Zr]Zr-DFO-28H1 FAP ...

We aim to show reproducibility of a lung injury rat model by inducing disease and assessing disease progression by multi-modal non-invasive imaging techniques.

Glial activation among individuals with neurological post- ...

[18F]-FEPPA PET/MRI scanning. The outcome of this study was the cerebral distribution volume for. Fluorine F-18–labeled N-(2-(2-fluoroethoxy ...

“Using Imaging as a Biomarker for Asthma” - PMC

Computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) can be used to assess pulmonary structure and function.

an In Vivo PET Study with [(18)F]FEPPA | Request PDF

The PET data were analyzed using the validated two-tissue compartment model with arterial plasma input function with total volume of ...

6.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32123971/

a PET tracer for imaging short-chain fatty acid metabolism ...

We report the safety, biodistribution, and internal radiation dosimetry profile of 18 F-FPIA in 24 healthy volunteers and the effect of dietary conditions.

Using 18 F-NOS PET Imaging to Measure Pulmonary ...

We found preliminary evidence EC users had greater pulmonary inflammation than cigarette smokers and never smoke/vape controls.

GMP-compliant fully automated radiosynthesis of [18F]FEPPA ...

We demonstrate that [ 18 F]FEPPA accumulations significant increased in the specific brain regions of systemic LPS-induced neuroinflammation (5 mg/kg).

Glial activation among individuals with neurological post ...

[18F]-FEPPA is a radioactive ligand that was designed to bind to mitochondrial translocator protein 18-kDa (TSPO), which is most abundantly expressed in M2- ...