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.

Condition
Healthy

Further Study Details: 

Expected Total Enrollment:  500

Technical advances in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) has provided researchers with the opportunity to study functional and metabolic changes of the central nervous system (CNS) in both healthy controls and individuals with neurological diseases in response to sensory, motor or cognitive stimulation. The NIH has recently acquired a 3.0 Tesla whole body MR unit which has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for performing functional MR studies. New MRI and MRS techniques and hardware specifically designed for Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging of the CNS at 3.0 Tesla will be developed, evaluated and compared to similar studies at 1.5 Tesla on normal volunteers and in patients with CNS pathology. These studies are required in order to develop and implement new imaging techniques for research and clinical applications.

Genders Eligible for Study:  Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Criteria

INCLUSION CRITERIA:
Any normal volunteer above the age of 18 years old who is capable of giving informed consent.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
A subject will be excluded if they have contraindications to MR scanning, such as the following: Aneurism clip, Implanted neural stimulator, Implanted cardiac pacemaker or autodefibrillator, Chochlear implant, Ocular foreign body (e.g., metal shavings), or Insulin pump. Neurological patients will also be excluded from this study. Subjects who have a history of a reaction to MR contrast agents specifically gadopentetate dimeglumine will be excluded from participating in the contrast agent administration part of this protocol. The contraindications to MRI at 1.5 Tesla and 3 Tesla are identical.

Maryland
      Warren G. Magnuson Clinical Center (CC), 9000 Rockville Pike,  Bethesda,  Maryland,  20892,  United States; Recruiting

Study ID Numbers:  990163; 99-CC-0163
Record last reviewed:  September 14, 2004
Last Updated:  November 23, 2004
Record first received:  November 3, 1999
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:  NCT00001844
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on 2005-04-08