Brain scan breakthrough? new tracer targets protein tangles in MSA and Parkinson's
NCT ID NCT06032026
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This early-phase study tests a new radioactive tracer called 11C-HY-2-15, designed to detect abnormal alpha-synuclein protein in the brain. Researchers will scan 70 adults with multiple system atrophy, Parkinson's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, or healthy volunteers to see if the tracer can distinguish these conditions. The goal is to improve diagnosis of these brain protein disorders.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- 11C-HY-2-15 (a radioactive tracer for PET scans)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to a new way to diagnose and distinguish diseases like multiple system atrophy, Parkinson's, and progressive supranuclear palsy using brain scans.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early Phase I study with only 70 participants, so the tracer may not reliably detect the intended protein or may have safety issues. Results may not apply to broader populations.
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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Early phase 1
The earliest testing in people: a first look at safety, in a very small group.
- Participants
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About 70 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jul 2023
- Expected to finish
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Jul 2028
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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40 to 80 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: * The entire cohort will include men and women clinically diagnosed with MSA, PD, PSP or are healthy controls. A sub-set of these participants who undergo whole body scanning that will be used for analysis of biodistribution and dosimetry calculations. * Patients in all cohorts will be male or female adults from 40 to 80 years of age. * Participants must be informed of the investigational nature of this study and be willing to provide written informed consent and participate in this study in accordance with institutional and federal guidelines prior to study-specific procedures or Participants who are deemed unable to provide informed consent must have a designated study partner present for consent and to accompany them to study visits * We will ask PD/MSA/PSP participants to agree to brain donation but this choice is not mandatory for participation in this study. * Diagnosis-specific inclusion criteria: Clinical diagnoses will be determined by consensus committee for diagnostic agreement (PD, MSA, PSP or Healthy Control) Exclusion Criteria: * Females who are pregnant or breast feeding will be excluded, a urine pregnancy test will be performed in women of child-bearing potential prior to injection of 11C HY-2-15, 11C-PiB or Florbetaben * Forms of parkinsonism other than PD, PSP and MSA as defined above * Major psychiatric disorder (e.g. schizophrenia or bipolar disorder) - major depressive disorder is allowed * History of significant or ongoing alcohol abuse or substance abuse or dependence based on medical record review or self-reported * Contraindications or inability to tolerate imaging, arterial line or IV placement or blood draw procedures in the opinion of an investigator or treating physician * Contraindication to MRI, such as non-compatible implanted medical device * PSP and MSA subjects will be excluded if they have a history of any prior positive ß-amyloid PET scan or positive CSF AD biomarkers. * Any current medical condition, illness, or disorder as assessed by medical record review and/or self-reported that is considered by a physician or investigator to be a condition that could compromise participant safety or successful participation in the study
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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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University of Pennsylvania
RECRUITINGPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
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