UAB Neuroinflammation in Parkinson's Disease-TSPO-PET Substudy

This study at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is looking at how inflammation in the brain might be involved in Parkinson's disease. Researchers are using a special imaging technique called DPA-714-PET/MRI to measure brain inflammation. This technique uses a tracer called DPA-714 that attaches to activated immune cells in the brain, allowing doctors to see them. The study aims to compare brain inflammation in people with Parkinson's disease to healthy individuals and see how these inflammation levels relate to other information about their health. To join, you must already be participating in one of two other UAB Parkinson's disease studies. The study's status is currently unclear.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 205 participants aged 30 and older. It is designed to compare measures of brain inflammation between Parkinson's patients and healthy controls.
What's involved
Participants will undergo DPA-714-PET/MRI scans, including a 5-year follow-up scan. They will also have an arterial line placed in their forearm for blood samples during the PET/MRI.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The study will measure primary outcomes at 2 years, and some participants will have a 5-year follow-up DPA-714-PET/MRI.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT03457493

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Neuroinflammation in Parkinson's Disease-TSPO- Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Substudy

Recruiting
PHASE1Ages 30+InterventionalDiagnostic
University of Alabama at Birmingham
~205 participants
Updated 2026-08-12 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:DPA-714-PET/MRI5-year Follow-up DPA-714-PET/MRIDPA-714 Metabolite Analysis

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Comparison of TSPO-PET measures of neuroinflammation between PD patients and healthy controls.
Measured over 2 years
+1 more outcome measured
Parkinson Disease

NCT03457493

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • UAB Advanced Imaging Facility

    Birmingham, Alabamastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

  • Jonathan McConathy, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Alabama at Birmingham

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  • Comparison of TSPO-PET measures of neuroinflammation between PD patients and healthy controls.2 years

    Estimates of brain TSPO concentrations measured with PET will serve as a marker for neuroinflammation. TSPO-PET measures will be compared between PD patients and healthy controls. We expect the PD patients to have higher measures of neuroinflammation than healthy controls.

  • Correlation of DPA-714-PET/MRI with demographics, clinical and biospecimen assessments from Neuroinflammation in PD study2 years

    The estimates of neuroinflammation measured with TSPO-PET will be correlated with clinical assessments of PD severity and biospecimens collected through the UAB Neuroinflammation in PD study.