Brain scan tracer could reveal hidden signs of psychosis in Parkinson's
NCT ID NCT05357612
First seen Jul 20, 2026 · Last updated Aug 07, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study uses a special PET scan tracer, [18F]MH.MZ, to measure serotonin 2A receptors in the brains of people with neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's. Researchers want to see if these receptors differ between patients with psychosis and healthy people of the same age. Some participants will also take the drug pimavanserin to see how it affects receptor binding. The goal is to better understand the brain changes behind psychosis in these diseases.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- a radioactive PET tracer called [18F]MH.MZ, and the drug pimavanserin for some participants
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help doctors better understand and diagnose psychosis in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage imaging study, not a treatment trial. The tracer may not reliably distinguish between patient groups, and results may not lead to direct clinical benefits.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 4
Runs after approval, following long-term safety and how well the treatment works in everyday use.
- Participants
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About 75 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jan 2023
- Expected to finish
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Aug 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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50 to 85 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Patient arm - clinical diagnosis of Parkinson disease, diffuse Lewy body disease, multiple systems atrophy, Huntington's Disease, Frontotemporal Dementia, and other variants * Healthy arm - age and gender matched to patient arm * Psychosis (presence of hallucinations or delusions) starting after the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, occurring at least weekly for 4 weeks, severe enough to warrant treatment. * Study partner available for study visits Exclusion Criteria: * Prior stroke or other uncontrolled serious neurological or medical illness * Contra-indication or inability to tolerate MRI scan * Use of serotonergic medications in the last 6 weeks * Incapable of providing independent consent. * Pregnant or breastfeeding women * psychosis due to a metabolic, toxic, or primary psychiatric disease * Deemed unable to complete neurocognitive testing * For PD Participants: current or prior use of pimavanserin * Use of antipsychotics in the last 2 weeks
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Vanderbilt University Medical Center
RECRUITINGNashville, Tennessee, 37212, United States
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