Val Lowe, M.D.

Closed for Enrollment

• A Multicenter Trial of FDG-PET/CT Staging of Head and Neck Cancer and Its Impact on the N0 Neck Surgical Treatment in Head and Neck Cancer Patients (ACRIN 6685) Rochester, Minn.

  RATIONALE: Diagnostic procedures, such as fludeoxyglucose F 18-PET/CT scan, may help doctors find head and neck cancer and find out how far the disease has spread. It may also help doctors plan the best treatment.

  PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying fludeoxyglucose F 18-PET/CT imaging to see how well it works in assessing the tumor and planning neck surgery in patients with newly diagnosed head and neck cancer.

• Bridging Study of C11 PiB and F18 Flutemetamol Brain PET Rochester, Minn.

  The intent of this research protocol is to test the equivalency of two amyloid imaging drugs (C11 Pittsburgh Compound B and F18 Flutemetamol). The investigators hypothesize that there will be no significant difference in the distribution of the agents to areas of amyloid deposition in the brain or to other normal brain structures. Recent data have shown similarity in the distribution of the drugs in subjects with AD or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). No comparison data of the two PET drugs in normal subjects has been published. It is important to understand differences in the images and biodistribution from the two drugs in normal subjects as nonspecific accumulation of the drugs in brain structures such as white matter appear to differ slightly and could affect image performance.

  The current clinical functional imaging standard for patients with indeterminate cognitive impairment is FDG PET. To allow a comparison of the PET amyloid imaging compounds with FDG PET, FDG PET scans will also be important to acquire in the subjects for comparison.

• Effect of Aging and Aerobic Exercise Training on Brain Glucose Metabolism Rochester, Minn.

  Aging is associated with a loss of brain function and conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease. It is likely that decreased brain metabolism is contributing to the progression of age related degenerative diseases. Aerobic exercise training can increase brain volumes and is associated with decreased risk for degenerative brain conditions. However, little is know about the changes that occur to brain metabolism with aerobic training and aging.

• IMAGING CORE: North American Prodromal Synucleinopathy Consortium for RBD, Stage 2 (NAPS2) - DaT Core Rochester, Minn.

  The objectives of this study are:

  • To conduct research on RBD as a prodromal manifestation of DLB, PD, and MSA to address several of the NAPA ADRD priorities for LBD research as well as similar priorities for PD and MSA.  Investigate RBD occurring in prodromal synucleinopathy.
  • To enroll RBD participants and matched control participants for longitudinal, standardized collection of clinical, PSG, genetic, biofluid, and neuroimaging data.
  • To analyze collected data against longitudinal clinical outcomes to refine scales and develop /analyze biomarkers to optimally design clinical trials.
  • To share data, samples, and methods for use by the scientific community.
  • To interact with NIH, other scientific groups on RBD and overt synucleinopathies, industry partners, patients, and other groups.
  • To prepare for large-scale clinical trials.

   

   

  The Neuroimaging Core is responsible for imaging operations at 10 NAPS sites, Harmonization and maintenance of the DaTscan protocols, quality control and storage of the imaging data, analysis and sharing of the imaging data.

• Longitudinal Multicenter Head-to-Head Harmonization of Tau PET Tracers (HEAD Study) (HEAD) Rochester, Minn.

  The purpose of this study is to compare different ways of measuring tau both in the brain and in the blood over time in healthy controls and individuals with cognitive impairment. We will collect images in healthy elderly people, individuals with mild cognitive impairment and those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease to help us learn how the buildup of amyloid and tau proteins may contribute to developing the disease and in normal aging. Healthy young individuals will be used as controls.

  This study is composed of 2 timepoints, separated by approximately 18 months. Each timepoint will require visits to the research institution over multiple days.  During these visits, you will receive 3 PET scans, 1 MRI scan, blood draws, and undergo clinical assessments and cognitive testing.

• Neuroimaging Study Jacksonville, Fla., Rochester, Minn.

  The purpose of this study is to gather information and learn more about imaging tests in racially different people who are cognitively normal or have dementia.

• Phase III Study of [18F]PSMA-1007 Positron Emission Tomography for the Detection of Prostate Cancer Lesions in Patients With Biochemical Recurrence After Previous Definitive Treatment for Localized Prostate Cancer (ABX-CT_303US) Rochester, Minn. This study evaluates the diagnostic performance and safety of [18F]PSMA-1007 PET/CT imaging in patients with suspected recurrence of prostate cancer after previous definitive treatment.
• PSMA and C-11 Choline PET in Patients with Biochemical Recurrence of Prostate Cancer Rochester, Minn.

  The purpose of this study is to examine PSMA and C-11 Choline PET in patients with suspected metastatic prostate cancer who have been imaged with 11C-Choline PET clinically and with PSMA PET (either Gallium-68 labeled HBED-CC PSMA (more commonly called 68Ga-PSMA-11) or F-18 PSMA 1007) in order to demonstrate their utility in detecting prostate cancer.

   

• Targeting Neuroinflammation as a Contributing Pathology in Alzheimer’s Disease Dementia Rochester, Minn.

  The purposes of this study are to determine if neuroinflammation, as measured by PET imaging, is associated with Ab plaques in cognitively impaired vs. cognitively unimpaired participants, to determine if neuroinflammation, as measured by neuroinflammation PET imaging, is associated with the rate of cognitive in the 5 years preceding PET imaging, and to determine if neuroinflammation, as measured by PET imaging, is associated with plasma biomarkers of inflammation.