Neurochemical Mechanisms of the Awake vs. Anesthetized Brain

• Status: Recruiting
• Trial end date: 2023-04-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

The investigators will be studying the sedative drug dexmedetomidine using hybrid PET/fMRI/EEG imaging to better understand the neuropharmacology of anesthesia/artificially induced sleep.

• Phase: Early Phase 1
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital
• Collaborator: Boston University
• Treatments: Dexmedetomidine

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults aged 18-45.

• No contraindications to MRI or PET scanning.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Contraindications to fMRI scanning and PET scanning (including presence of a cardiac pacemaker or pacemaker wires, metallic particles in the body, vascular clips in the head or previous neurosurgery, prosthetic heart valves, claustrophobia);

• Pregnancy or breast feeding;

• Current or past history of major medical, neurological, or psychiatric condition;

• History of major head trauma;

• Any cardiovascular disorders, including heart disorders or high blood pressure [>155/95];

• Breathing problems such as severe asthma;

• Bleeding disorder, or use of anticoagulants;

• Bladder obstruction, urinary problems, or history of impaired elimination;

• Known kidney or liver problems;

• Intestinal blockage;

• Raynaud syndrome

• Peripheral nerve injury;

• Diabetes;

• Glaucoma;

• Sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea, insomnia, or narcolepsy

• Current use of any drugs that affect sleep

• Current or recent use of medications (neurological or psychiatric) affecting brain function

• Current or past history of chronic pain (assessed at discretion of PI);

• History of allergic reactions

• History of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases

• Ulcerative skin conditions or other dermatologic conditions which could interfere with blood pressure cuff placement

• Body mass index above 30

• Current smoker

• Lack of current health insurance coverage

• Employed under the direct supervision of the investigators conducting the research

• Hair in dreadlocks, twists, or braids that cannot be removed

• Eczema on the scalp or face