Heart attack may spark brain inflammation, tiny study hints

NCT ID NCT03968445

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study uses a special PET/MRI scan with an investigational tracer called [18F]DPA-714 to see if a heart attack leads to inflammation in the brain. Researchers will compare 6 people who recently had a heart attack with a control group. The goal is to better understand the link between heart disease and brain health, not to test a treatment.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

[18F]DPA-714 (an imaging tracer)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could help researchers understand how heart attacks affect the brain and may point toward new ways to protect brain health after a heart attack.

What could go wrong

This is a very early, small study with only 6 participants. It is designed to observe, not treat, so it may not lead to any direct medical changes.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

myocardial infarction ST-elevation myocardial infarction

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical Center

    Birmingham, Alabama, 35294, United States