New PET tracer aims to spot Parkinson's protein in the brain
NCT ID NCT06891703
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This early-phase study tests a new radioactive tracer called [18F]ACI-15916, designed to detect clumps of α-synuclein protein in the brain using PET scans. These protein deposits are linked to Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, and dementia with Lewy bodies. The trial will include 46 people—both healthy volunteers and those with suspected α-synuclein-related conditions—to check if the tracer is safe and can reliably show differences in protein buildup between groups.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- [18F]ACI-15916 (a radioactive imaging agent)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to a reliable brain scan to diagnose diseases like Parkinson's and Lewy body dementia earlier and more accurately.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early Phase 1 study with only 46 participants. The tracer may not bind well to α-synuclein or may cause side effects. Results may not apply to all patients.
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 46 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Mar 2025
- Expected to finish
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Mar 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
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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20 years and older
- 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 for all Participants: 1. Subject is able to provide written informed consent, which must be obtained before any assessment is performed. 2. Subjects must be able to understand and be willing to comply with study procedures, restrictions, and requirements. 3. Body mass index is \> 18 and \< 31 kg/m2 and Bodyweight ≥ 50 kg and ≤ 100 kg. 4. Female participants must not be of childbearing potential or agree to use highly effective methods of contraception. 5. For subjects receiving arterial cannulation, an adequate circulation to the hand for safe placement of arterial line (as determined by Allen's test). Additional Inclusion Criteria for Healthy Volunteers: 6. Males and females aged ≥ 20 at the time of signing the informed consent. 7. Normal MRI and DAT PET or SPECT (except for Part 4 participants), as judged by the investigator. 8. The subject is, in the opinion of the investigator, generally healthy based on the assessment of medical history, physical examination, vital signs, ECG, and the results of the hematology, clinical chemistry, urinalysis, serology, and other laboratory tests. 9. No family history of α-synucleinopathy, including PD, or other early-onset neurological disease associated with dementia. 10. No personal history of clinically significant neurologic and/or psychiatric disorders. 11. Have a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score ≥ 26 12. No cognitive impairment as judged by the PI or delegated physician. Additional Inclusion Criteria for Participants with α-synucleinopathies: 13. Males and females aged ≥ 40 at the time of signing the informed consent. 14. Subjects diagnosed with any of the following: * Idiopathic PD based on MDS criteria * PD with genetic risk factor (except some mutations as mentioned in exclusion criteria) * Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) * Diagnosis of possible or probable Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) 15. Evidence of dopamine transporter deficit on DAT PET or SPECT imaging performed either as part of Screening or previously acquired (if not older than 6 months) and of good quality as judged by the investigator. 16. Medications taken for symptomatic treatment of α-synucleinopathy must be maintained on a stable dosage regimen for at least 30 days before the Screening Visit. Exclusion Criteria for all Participants: 1. Female subjects pregnant, lactating or breastfeeding. 2. Presence of psychiatric symptoms that may interfere with the objectives of the study, as judged by the investigator. 3. Clinically significant concomitant disease or condition within 6 months prior to screening, that could interfere with the conduct of the study, or that would, in the opinion of the investigator, pose an unacceptable risk to the participant, or compromise the scientific quality of the study. 4. History of brain surgery or any neurosurgical procedures. Subject has received treatment with a drug, antibody or vaccine targeting α-synuclein. 5. Known or suspected drug, alcohol or other abuse, or positive urine drug screen which may interfere with the study objective, as judged by the investigator. 6. History of severe allergy/hypersensitivity or ongoing allergy/hypersensitivity as judged by the investigator. 7. Subject is involved in the planning and/or conduct of the study (i.e. part of the study team) 8. History of clinically significant cardio-or cerebrovascular, pulmonary, renal, hepatic, neurological, mental or gastrointestinal disorder or any other major disorder that may interfere with the objectives of the study, as judged by the investigator. 9. History of and/or screening brain MRI scan (except for Part 4 subjects) indicative of, clinically significant abnormality including but not limited to prior haemorrhage or infarct or \>3 lacunar infarcts, except changes consistent with α-synucleinopathies for PD, MSA, DLB patients. 10. Subjects being treated with any anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs, except aspirin at doses of 100 mg daily or lower within 2 weeks of the planned arterial cannula placement (if performed) for either the baseline or retest imaging. 11. Screening supine blood pressure \> 150 mm Hg (systolic) or \> 90 mm Hg (diastolic), following at least 5 minutes of supine rest. If blood pressure (BP) is \> 150 mm Hg (systolic) or \> 90 mm Hg (diastolic), the BP should be repeated two more times and the average of the three BP values should be used to determine the subject's eligibility. 12. Electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities of clinical significance as judged by the investigator. Screening supine 12-lead ECG demonstrating QTc \> 450 msec at Screening. 13. Any contraindications to obtaining a brain MRI (except for Part 4 subjects), DaT-SPECT (except for Part 4 subjects) or PET (e.g., claustrophobia unresponsive to reassurance or low dose of an anxiolytic agent, metal implants not compatible with MRI or known hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients) and ability to tolerate lying in the scanner for up to \~180 minutes. 14. Previous exposure to radiation for medical, scientific or other reasons which could have a high negative impact on the research subject, as judged by the investigator. 15. Treatment with any other investigational therapy within 5 drug elimination half-lives or 30 days (whichever is longer) prior to inclusion in the study. Additional Exclusion Criteria for Healthy Volunteers: 16. Current use of CNS active drugs, including antidepressant or neuroleptic medications is not permitted, anti-inflammatory drugs or sleep medications may be allowed at the discretion of the investigator. 17. History of neurological disease/condition that may interfere with the objectives of the study, as judged by the investigator. Additional Exclusion Criteria for Participants with α-synucleinopathy: 18. Medical history indicating a Parkinsonian syndrome other than idiopathic PD, including but not limited to, progressive supranuclear palsy, drug-induced parkinsonism, essential tremor, vascular parkinsonism, primary dystonia or corticobasal syndrome (CBS). 19. Known carriers of certain familial PD gene mutations (PRKN, PINK1, DJ1, LRRK2), based on previous source documentation.
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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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Karolinska Institutet
RECRUITINGSolna, Sweden
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