A new eye on the brain: could this tracer unlock Addiction's secrets?

NCT ID NCT02815917

First seen Aug 10, 2026 · Last updated Aug 11, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests a new imaging tracer called [18F]fluortriopride to see if it can clearly show D3 dopamine receptors in the brain. Researchers will compare brain scans from healthy volunteers and people with cocaine dependence, and also check how consistent the tracer's signals are across repeated scans. The goal is to develop a better tool for studying brain conditions like addiction and other disorders linked to dopamine.

What this could mean

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

Active substance
[18F]fluortriopride ([18F]FTP), a radioactive tracer used for PET/CT brain imaging
What this could lead to
If successful, this could provide a reliable way to visualize D3 receptors in the living brain, potentially aiding research into addiction, mood disorders, and Parkinson's disease.
What could go wrong
This is an early-phase imaging study with a small number of participants, so results may not be conclusive. The tracer's effectiveness and safety are still being tested.

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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.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • University of Pennsylvania

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States

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