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Imaging of Cannabinoid Receptors Using New Radioactive Tracer
NCT00450021 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
This study will test a new radioactive tracer, \[(11)C\]MePPEP, for use in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. The tracer is used to visualize cannabinoid receptors, proteins in the brain that mediate a variety of natural chemicals. These receptors may be important in behavioral diseases such as addiction, obesity and psychiatric diseases. Healthy normal volunteers between 18 and 65 years of age may be eligible for this study. Ten participants undergo whole body PET imaging to determine where the \[(11)C\]MePPEP tracer is distributed in the body in order to calculate radiation exposure from the tracer. Another 10 subjects undergo brain imaging with \[(11)C\]MePPEP to measure cannabinoid receptors in the brain. All participants are evaluated with a medical history and physical examination, blood and urine tests and an electrocardiogram (ECG) before scanning. They then have a PET scan. For this procedure, a catheter (plastic tube) is placed in a vein in the arm through which the tracer is injected. A special mask is fitted to the head and attached to the bed to help keep the head in place during the scan. Subjects undergoing brain imaging also have a catheter placed in an artery in the wrist from which blood samples are collected during the procedure. The scan lasts about 2 to 2.5 hours. Subjects undergoing brain imaging also have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within 1 year of the PET scan. For MRI, the subject lies on a bed that moves into the tubular scanner, wearing earplugs to protect the ears from loud noises that occur during the scan. The procedure takes about 1 hour.
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- DRUG [(11)C] MePPEP
Study Locations (1)
Maryland
- National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike — Bethesda
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 25 participants |
| Start Date | 2007-03-19 |
| Phase | Phase 1 |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT00450021
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT00450021 describes a study currently listed as completed. It is categorized as Phase 1, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 25 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), which has 317 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 1 condition, with Healthy appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 1 intervention — of which [(11)C] MePPEP is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT00450021 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include Maryland. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT00450021 about?
NCT00450021 is a clinical study titled "Imaging of Cannabinoid Receptors Using New Radioactive Tracer". This study will test a new radioactive tracer, \[(11)C\]MePPEP, for use in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. The tracer is used to visualize cannabinoid receptors, proteins in the brain that mediate a variety of natural chemicals. These receptors may be important in behavioral diseases suc...
What is the current status of trial NCT00450021?
This trial is currently completed. It is a Phase 1 study. The enrollment target is 25 participants. The study started on 2007-03-19.
What conditions does trial NCT00450021 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Healthy. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT00450021?
The interventions under investigation include: [(11)C] MePPEP (DRUG). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT00450021?
This trial is sponsored by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), which has 317 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT00450021 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across Maryland. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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