Imaging Inflammation With Alcohol Use Disorder: an [18F]NOS Study

NCT ID: NCT05885594

Last Updated: 2025-11-26

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: EARLY_PHASE1
• Total Enrollment: 4 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-08-08
• Study Completion Date: 2027-03-15

Brief Summary

Study to enroll up to 90 individuals, those with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) (up to n=60) and non-dependent healthy volunteers (HV) (up to n=30).

PET/CT imaging will be used to evaluate brain and whole-body inflammation using the investigational radiotracer [18F]NOS.

All participants will have one [18F]NOS positron emission tomography/ computed tomography (PET/CT) scan performed.

Detailed Description

The Investigators plan to enroll up to 90 individuals in this study, which will enroll individuals with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) (up to n=60) and non-dependent healthy volunteers (HV) (up to n=30).

PET/CT imaging will be used to evaluate brain and whole-body inflammation using the investigational radiotracer [18F]NOS. All participants will have one [18F]NOS positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scan performed, unless this has been performed as part of another study. AUD participants enrolled in a companion treatment study #851593 "A Randomized, Double-blind Placebo-Controlled Study of Ibudilast for Treating Alcohol Use Disorder" will be asked to undergo a second [18F]NOS PET scan after the initiation of the study treatment.

For each PET/CT scan, patients will undergo approximately 60 minutes of dynamic scanning starting at the time of injection of [18F]NOS. PET/CT imaging sessions will include an injection of ≤ 6.5 mCi (approximate range for most studies is anticipated to be 3.5-6.5 mCi) of [18F]NOS. Data will be collected to evaluate uptake of [18F]NOS in the brain and other organs (e.g., lungs, heart, and liver), and measurements will be compared between groups.

Each participant will undergo a 90 minute brain MRI to measure brain inflammatory markers using GluCEST and spectroscopic imaging, unless this has been performed as part of another study and deemed acceptable by an investigator. On the PET day, a blood sample will be collected to measure established peripheral inflammatory biomarkers to be correlated with [18F]NOS uptake. AUD participants who are enrolled in the companion treatment study will be asked to undergo a second brain MRI, PET/CT scan, and blood draw for inflammatory markers after the initiation of treatment.

Conditions

Alcohol Use Disorder

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NON_RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: DIAGNOSTIC
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

AUD-Alcohol Use Disorder

60 adult men and women who have alcohol use disorder will undergo up to 2 PET/CT scans each approximately 60 minutes of dynamic scanning starting at the time of injection of \[18F\]NOS. PET/CT imaging sessions will include an injection of ≤ 6.5 mCi (approximate range for most studies is anticipated to be 3.5-6.5 mCi) of \[18F\]NOS.

Group Type: OTHER

[18F]NOS

Intervention Type: DRUG

\[18F\]-6-(2-fluoro-propyl)-4-methylpyridin-2-amine, also known as \[18F\]NOS, is a positron emitting radiopharmaceutical that has been studied in animals and humans which permits the visualization and measurement by positron emission tomography (PET/CT) imaging of in vivo iNOS expression as a marker of inflammation.

HV-Healthy Volunteer

30 adult men and women between the ages of 18-65 who do not have alcohol use disorder and are a healthy volunteer will be enrolled in this study.

Group Type: OTHER

[18F]NOS

Intervention Type: DRUG

\[18F\]-6-(2-fluoro-propyl)-4-methylpyridin-2-amine, also known as \[18F\]NOS, is a positron emitting radiopharmaceutical that has been studied in animals and humans which permits the visualization and measurement by positron emission tomography (PET/CT) imaging of in vivo iNOS expression as a marker of inflammation.

Interventions

[18F]NOS

\[18F\]-6-(2-fluoro-propyl)-4-methylpyridin-2-amine, also known as \[18F\]NOS, is a positron emitting radiopharmaceutical that has been studied in animals and humans which permits the visualization and measurement by positron emission tomography (PET/CT) imaging of in vivo iNOS expression as a marker of inflammation.

Intervention Type: DRUG

Other Intervention Names

FNOS

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Age 18 years to 65 years old (inclusive)
• Willingness to provide signed informed consent and commit to completing the procedures in the study

• Meets DSM-5 criteria for AUD
• Average weekly ethanol consumption of at least 15 standard drinks over the past month prior to consent (self-report)
• Minimum 1 year history of heavy drinking (self-report).
• Must have had last drink within 1 week of the first PET visit.
• Alcohol specified as the preferred drug (self-report)
• Participants must agree to not consume alcohol beverages for 12 hours prior to laboratory sessions (self-report with 0 breath alcohol level)

• Enrolled in the clinical trial titled "A Randomized, Double-blind Placebo-Controlled Study of Ibudilast for Treating Alcohol Use Disorder" and eliglible to be randomized into the study to receive study medication.

• AUDIT score < 6
• Drinks alcohol 15 standard drinks or less per month (by self-report).

Exclusion Criteria

• Females who have a positive urine pregnancy test or are breast feeding at the time of screening will not be eligible for this study; a urine pregnancy test will be performed in women of child-bearing potential at screening, MRI, and at the PET/CT scan visits
• Current untreated and unstable diagnosis of substance use disorder that could interfere with study participation or make it hazardous for the subject to participate (except for nicotine or cannabis use disorder, and alcohol use disorder in the alcohol group)
• Positive urine drug screen for opiates, methamphetamine or cocaine at screening or study visit (may be repeated once and if result is negative on repeat it is not exclusionary)
• Individuals who are HIV positive, as the human immunodeficiency virus affects neurocognitive function, even in otherwise asymptomatic individuals, which can confound the results of PET and MRI testing
• Current, serious psychiatric illness (i.e., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychotic major depression, panic disorder, or imminent suicide or violence risk) that could compromise participant safety or successful participation in the study
• Use of inhaled or oral corticosteroids or anti-inflammatory medications per medical record review or self-report and judged by a physician investigator to be potentially confounding
• Head trauma with loss of consciousness for more than 30 minutes or associated with skull fracture or inter-cranial bleeding or abnormal MRI (self-report, medical history)
• Presence of ferromagnetic objects in the body that are contraindicated for MRI of the head, fear of enclosed spaces, or other standard contraindication to MRI and or PET scanner (self-report checklist)
• Inability to tolerate imaging procedures in the opinion of an investigator or treating physician
• Any current or past medical condition, illness, or disorder as assessed by medical record review and/or self-reported that is considered by a physician investigator to be a condition that could compromise participant safety or successful participation in the study
• Judged by the principal investigator or his designee to be an unsuitable candidate for study participation

• Current DSM-5 diagnosis of Alcohol use disorder

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

University of Pennsylvania

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Jacob Dubroff, MD, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Perelman School of Medicine, Dept. of Radiology

Locations

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Countries

United States

Other Identifiers

851462

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id