New PET tracer could spot Parkinson's protein in living brains

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * General Inclusion criteria, all subjects must: 1. Age 50-80 2. Be able to provide written informed consent or assent 3. Be able to read, speak and understand English (The investigators do not have the resources necessary to properly study non-English speaking patients in this study, given that translation and validation of the assessment tools would be necessary) 4. Be willing and able to participate in one PET/MRI scanning session Additional Inclusion criteria for PD patients, subjects must: 1. Have an existing diagnosis of idiopathic PD, using consensus criteria 2. Stable medications for at least 30 days 3. Hoehn and Yahr stage I-IV 4. A study partner who can answer questions pertaining to daily functioning Additional Inclusion criteria for MSA patients, subjects must: 1. Have an existing diagnosis of MSA, using consensus criteria 2. Stable medications for at least 30 days 3. MSAp or MSAc 4. A study partner who can answer questions pertaining to daily functioning Additional Inclusion criteria for DLB patients, subjects must: 1. Have an existing diagnosis of probable DLB, using consensus criteria 2. Stable medications for at least 30 days 3. Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR) \< 0.5 4. A study partner who can answer questions pertaining to daily functioning Exclusion Criteria: * General Exclusion Criteria (All Subjects) 1. History of vascular risk factors (e.g. hypertension, hyperlipidemia), if not well-controlled 2. Major psychiatric disease (e.g.schizophrenia) 3. History of stroke 4. Focal brain lesions on MRI scans 5. History of other major illnesses including, but not limited to, major kidney or liver problems or significant neurological illness 6. Recent surgery that is deemed major by our reviewing physician or nurse practitioner within the past 6 months 7. History of head trauma (as defined as having any insults to the brain that may have resulted from an external mechanical force, such as rapid acceleration or deceleration, impact, blast waves, or penetration by a projectile) 8. Impaired elimination (as defined as having problems with urination) unless being managed 9. Past or present diagnosis of bipolar disorder or other Axis I diagnosis, (treated depression is allowed) 10. Any present substance abuse including drug/alcohol abuse 11. Inability to lie flat on camera bed for up to 90 min 12. Pregnancy or breastfeeding 13. Metallic foreign bodies that would be affected by the MRI magnet, or fear of enclosed spaces likely to make the subject unable to undergo an MRI scan 14. Recent exposure to radiation (i.e., PET from other research) that, when combined with this study, would be above the allowable limits (50 milliSieverts) General MR and PET safety exclusion criteria listed below 1. Ferromagnetic implants such as aneurysm clips, surgical clips, prostheses, artificial hearts, valves with steel parts, metal fragments, shrapnel, metallic tattoos anywhere on the body, tattoos near the eye, steel implants, ferromagnetic objects such as jewelry or metal clips in clothing 2. Electrical implants such as cardiac pacemakers or perfusion pumps 3. Pre-existing medical conditions including a likelihood of developing seizures or claustrophobic reactions, and any greater than normal potential for cardiac arrest 4. Is unable to lie comfortably on a bed inside a PET camera with their head in the field of view for 60 to 90 minutes as assessed by physical examination and medical history (e.g. back pain, arthritis) 5. Pregnancy: A negative serum pregnancy test is required on the day of the PET procedure in women of child bearing potential 6. Body weight of \> 300 lbs (weight limit of the MRI table) 7. Breast feeding mothers Exclusion Criteria for Subjects Undergoing Blood Draws Through an Arterial Line During PET Scan 1. An abnormal result on the modified Allen's test on both hands 2. Raynaud syndrome 3. Bleeding disorder 4. Use of anticoagulants such as Coumadin, Plavix or Lovenox 5. An allergy to Lidocaine