18F-mFBG Imaging for Lewy Body Dementia

(IRP101-231 Trial)

This trial tests a new imaging method called 18F-mFBG, a radiotracer used in PET scans, to assess its effectiveness in detecting heart damage caused by neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia. The researchers aim to compare these images with those of individuals with other neurologic diseases and healthy individuals. Participants should have either Parkinson's, Lewy body dementia, or a different neurologic condition unrelated to these diseases. As a Phase 2 trial, this research measures the imaging method's effectiveness in an initial, smaller group, offering participants a chance to contribute to advancements in diagnostic imaging.

You may need to stop taking certain medications that interfere with the study's imaging agent, but only if they can be safely withheld 24 hours before the study procedures. It's best to discuss your specific medications with the study team.

Studies have shown that 18F-mFBG is a safe and effective imaging agent. Research indicates that patients tolerate it well during PET scans, which assess heart function. Previous studies have reported no major safety concerns. This evidence suggests that 18F-mFBG is a safe and practical choice for heart imaging, especially for individuals with conditions like Lewy body dementia.¹²³⁴⁵

Unlike the standard treatments for Lewy body dementia, which often focus on managing symptoms with medications like cholinesterase inhibitors and levodopa, 18F-mFBG imaging offers a novel diagnostic approach. This technique employs a radioactive tracer, 18F-mFBG, to capture detailed images of the nervous system, potentially enhancing the detection and understanding of Lewy body pathology. Researchers are excited because this imaging could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnosis, improving how we manage and treat these conditions in the future.

Research has shown that 18F-mFBG effectively aids heart imaging to assess neurodegenerative diseases like Lewy body dementia. In this trial, participants will receive an intravenous injection of 18F-mFBG, followed by whole-body imaging. Studies have demonstrated that 18F-mFBG PET/CT scans can distinguish between Lewy body disease and other neurological conditions by examining the heart's nerve supply. This imaging method offers advantages over older techniques, such as [123I]MIBG scintigraphy, used for similar purposes. Identifying differences in heart imaging helps doctors better understand and diagnose conditions like Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia. Early findings suggest that this new imaging agent could improve the accuracy of diagnosing these diseases.¹²³⁶⁷