Brain scans of nerve connection loss in multiple system atrophy
Scans the brain in multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy.
Key facts
- Who runs it
- University of Exeter
- Where
- Exeter, United KingdomSee the site
- Trial code
- Registry title
- Synaptic Loss in Multiple System Atrophy
- Status
- Recruiting
- People taking part
- 36 people, planned
- Started
- 1 Sept 2021
- Expected to end
- 31 Mar 2027
- Type of study
- Observational, 2 groups
- Treatments tested
- Study procedures for MSA patients
- Study procedures for PSP patients
- Record updated
- 10 February 2026
Who can take part
AI summary
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.
The trial is looking for adults with multiple system atrophy (MSA) or progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). It uses brain scans to study damage to nerve cell connections and tau protein build-up.
- Age
- 45 to 80 years at the time of consent.
- Sex
- Men and women can join. Women who could become pregnant must not be pregnant or breastfeeding and must use birth control. Men with a partner who could become pregnant must use birth control for 90 days after each dose of the scan tracer.
- Disease stage
- MSA group: probable or possible MSA (Gilman et al., 2008), expected survival of at least 3 years. PSP group: suggestive, probable or possible PSP (Höglinger et al., 2017), with preference for PSP-RS, PSP-OM, PSP-PI, PSP with gait freezing, PSP-SL and PSP-P subtypes.
- Earlier treatment
- In the MSA group, treatment for MSA and other conditions must be stable for at least 30 days before screening. People who had brain surgery for parkinsonism or stem cell treatment cannot join. MSA group: people using drugs acting on SV2A, such as levetiracetam or brivaracetam, cannot join. PSP group: people in any trial of drugs targeting tau cannot join.
Main reasons for not taking part
- Other brain or nerve diseases, such as stroke, bleeding in the brain or a growth in the head.
- Anything that rules out MRI, such as a pacemaker or metal in the body, or claustrophobia.
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Cancer in the last 5 years, except non-spreading basal cell skin cancer.
- Alcohol or drug abuse. In the MSA group: HbA1c ≥ 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) or poorly controlled diabetes, severe dependence on caregivers, severe swallowing problems or frequent falls.
The registry criteria, word for word
Show all 35 criteriaShow less
Who can take part
- MSA group:
- Male or female, aged 45-80 at the time of informed consent. Meet criteria for diagnosis of probable or possible MSA (Gilman et al., 2008) (Appendix 1)
- A female subject is eligible to participate if she is a) of non-childbearing potential, defined as pre-menopausal females with a documented tubal ligation or hysterectomy, or postmenopausal defined as 12 months of spontaneous amenorrhea or b) of childbearing potential but not pregnant (as determined by urinary pregnancy test on screening and on each study day), is not lactating and is willing to use one of the contraception methods listed below:
- Combined (estrogen and progesterone containing) hormonal contraception associated with initiation of ovulation( oral, intravaginal, or transdermal)
- Progesterone-only hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation (oral, injectable, implantable)
- Intrauterine device
- Intrauterine hormone releasing system
- Bilateral tubal occlusion
- Vasectomized partner
- Sexual abstinence; Male subject with a female partner of child-bearing potential must use one of the following contraceptive methods for 90 days after each dose of radiotracer:
- Condom plus partner use of a highly effective contraceptive (see point above) OR
- Abstinence Subjects must understand the nature of the study and be able to provide signed and dated written informed consent in accordance with local regulations before the conduct of any study-related procedures. They must be able and willing to participate in all scheduled evaluations, abide by all study restrictions, and complete all required tests and procedures; Must have anticipated survival of ≥3 years (in the opinion of the Investigator); Medical treatment of MSA and co-morbid medical conditions must be stable for at least 30 days prior to screening and between screening and baseline PET scan. Intermittently administered treatment may be considered stable if the dose and dosing frequency have been unchanged for the greater of 30 days or three dosing inbiomartervals (e.g. a treatment given once a month must be at a stable dose and dosing frequency for 3 months); For inclusion in optional CSF sampling, written informed consent must be provided, either by separate signed and dated written informed consent or by specific written acknowledgement on the main study informed consent form, according to local procedure. Failure to participate in optional CSF sampling will have no influence on the subject's ability to participate in the main study; In the opinion of the investigator, the subject must be considered likely to comply with the study protocol and to have high probability of completing the study; PSP Group:; Male or female, aged 45-80 at the time of informed consent. Meet criteria for diagnosis of suggestive, probable or possible PSP - with preference for PSP-RS, PSP-OM, PSP-PI, PSP with gait freezing, and PSP-SL and PSP-P subtypes (Höglinger et al., 2017 (Appendix 2); A female subject is eligible to participate if she is a) of non-childbearing potential, defined as pre-menopausal females with a documented tubal ligation or hysterectomy, or postmenopausal defined as 12 months of spontaneous amenorrhea or b) of childbearing potential but not pregnant (as determined by urinary pregnancy test on screening and on each study day), is not lactating and is willing to use one of the contraception methods listed below:
- Combined (estrogen and progesterone containing) hormonal contraception associated with initiation of ovulation( oral, intravaginal, or transdermal)
- Progesterone-only hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation (oral, injectable, implantable)
- Intrauterine device
- Intrauterine hormone releasing system
- Bilateral tubal occlusion
- Vasectomized partner; Sexual abstinence; Male subject with a female partner of child-bearing potential must use one of the following contraceptive methods for 90 days after each dose of radiotracer:
- Condom plus partner use of a highly effective contraceptive (see point above) OR Abstinence Subjects must understand the nature of the study and be able to provide signed and dated written informed consent in accordance with local regulations before the conduct of any study-related procedures. They must be able and willing to participate in all scheduled evaluations, abide by all study restrictions, and complete all required tests and procedures
Who cannot take part
- Pregnancy, lactation, or, if female of childbearing potential, positive urine β-hCG at screening or prior to PET scan
- Use of drugs acting on SV2A such as antiepileptics (e.g. levetiracetam or brivaracetam)
- History of other neurological disorders or intracranial co-morbidities, such as stroke, haemorrhage, space-occupying lesions
- Presence of supranuclear gaze palsy. Presence of any clinically significant medical condition (including cardiovascular, respiratory, cerebrovascular, hematological, hepatic, renal, gastrointestinal, or other disease) that, based on the judgement of the investigator, is clinically unstable, is likely to deteriorate during the course of the study, could put the patient at risk because of participation in the study, could affect the subject's ability to complete the study, or could influence the study results
- Severe-to-complete dependence on caregivers (score >3 on UMSARS Part IV, Global Disability), severe impairment of swallowing (score ≥3 on UMSARS Part I, Question 2), or frequent falls (score ≥3 on UMSARS Part I, Question 8) at Screening
- Presence of any of the following MRI contraindications: pacemaker; cardiac defibrillator; spinal cord or vagus nerve stimulator; aneurysm clip; artificial heart valve; recent coronary or carotid stent; ear implant; CSF shunt; other implanted medical device (e.g. Swan-Ganz catheter, insulin pump); or metal fragments or foreign objects in the eyes, skin, or body. If the principal investigator considers the presence of any of the above not to be a contraindication to MRI in a given subject, the investigator may obtain approval from the MR operators based on a discussion of the case.Negative modified Allen test in both hands
- History of claustrophobia or back pain that makes prolonged laying on the MRI or PET scanner intolerable
- Current or recent history of alcohol or drug abuse / dependence (except nicotine dependence)
- History of cancer within the last 5 years, with the exception of nonmetastatic basal cell carcinoma of the skin
- History of brain surgery for parkinsonism or stem cell treatment. Clinically significant blood clotting or bleeding disorder, including clinically significant abnormal findings in laboratory assessments of coagulation or hematology
- Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) ≥ 6.5% at screening. Uncontrolled/poorly controlled diabetes mellitus
- Neoplasm or other space-occupying intracranial lesion on MRI. Any clinically important abnormality, as determined by the investigator, on physical examination or vital signs, ECG, or clinical laboratory test results other than abnormality due to a stable, well-controlled medical condition; or any abnormality that could be detrimental to the subject or could compromise the study; PSP group:; History of other neurological disorders or intracranial co-morbidities, such as stroke, haemorrhage, space-occupying lesions; Inclusion in any clinical trial with investigational drugs targeting tau. Presence of any clinically significant medical condition (including cardiovascular, respiratory, cerebrovascular, hematological, hepatic, renal, gastrointestinal, or other disease) that, based on the judgement of the investigator, is clinically unstable, is likely to deteriorate during the course of the study, could put the patient at risk because of participation in the study, could affect the subject's ability to complete the study, or could influence the study results; Presence of any of the following MRI contraindications: pacemaker; cardiac defibrillator; spinal cord or vagus nerve stimulator; aneurysm clip; artificial heart valve; recent coronary or carotid stent; ear implant; CSF shunt; other implanted medical device (e.g. Swan-Ganz catheter, insulin pump); or metal fragments or foreign objects in the eyes, skin, or body. If the principal investigator considers the presence of any of the above not to be a contraindication to MRI in a given subject, the investigator may obtain approval from the MR operators based on a discussion of the case; Abnormal modified Allen test in both hands. History of claustrophobia or back pain that makes prolonged laying on the MRI or PET scanner intolerable; Pregnancy, lactation, or, if female of childbearing potential, positive urine β-hCG at screening or prior to PET scan; History of brain surgery for parkinsonism or stem cell treatment. Clinically significant blood clotting or bleeding disorder, including clinically significant abnormal findings in laboratory assessments of coagulation or hematology; Current or recent history of alcohol or drug abuse / dependence (except nicotine dependence); History of cancer within the last 5 years, with the exception of nonmetastatic basal cell carcinoma of the skin; For subjects participating in optional CSF sampling:
- Any spinal malformation or other aspects (e.g. tattoos) / clinical findings (e.g. papilledema) that may complicate or contraindicate lumbar puncture, as judged by the investigator; Neoplasm or other space-occupying intracranial lesion on MRI. Any clinically important abnormality, as determined by the investigator, on physical examination or vital signs, ECG, or clinical laboratory test results other than abnormality due to a stable, well-controlled medical condition; or any abnormality that could be detrimental to the subject or could compromise the study
- MSA group:
- For subjects participating in optional CSF sampling:
- Any spinal malformation or other aspects (e.g. tattoos) / clinical findings (e.g. papilledema) that may complicate or contraindicate lumbar puncture, as judged by the investigator
Check if you might fit
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 45 and 80 years old?
Where in United Kingdom
- University Of ExeterExeter, United KingdomContact: Edoardo R de Natale, MD MSc PhDTaking people
About the trial
What the trial wants to find out
In this study the investigators would like to investigate the degree of damage of the synapses, an important part of the neurons vital for the communications between neurons, in Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), and pathology related to abnormal accumulation of a protein named tau, in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).
The 2 groups in the trial
- Patients with MSA
Patients with a diagnosis of MSA and either a clinical form MSA-C or MSA-P
Treatment: Study procedures for MSA patients
- Patients with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
Patients with a diagnosis of PSP, either the clinical forms PSP-RS or PSP-P
Treatment: Study procedures for PSP patients
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorData and sources
- Registry record
- Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
- Official title
- Molecular Imaging of Synaptic Loss in Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)
- Plain-language title
- Brain scans of nerve connection loss in multiple system atrophyGenerated from the registry record. The registry title is the official one.
- AI summary
- From the trial's eligibility criteria. Read by machine on 14 November 2026.
- Fit questions
- Built from NCT05121012, who can take part
- Record updated
- 10 February 2026