PET Scan to Map the Areas of the Brain Involved in Planning

NCT00001363 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: 93007793-N-0077
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 230
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a technique used to investigate the functional activity of the brain. The PET technique allows doctors to study the normal processes of the brain (central nervous system) of normal individuals and patients with neurologic illnesses without physical / structural damage to the brain. When a region of the brain is active, it uses more fuel in the form of oxygen and sugar (glucose). As the brain uses more fuel it produces more waste products, carbon dioxide and water. Blood carries fuel to the brain and waste products away from the brain. As brain activity increases blood flow to and from the area of activity increases also. Knowing these facts, researchers can use radioactive water (H215O) and PET scans to observe what areas of the brain are receiving more blood flow. This study will attempt to determine the areas of the brain activated by planning processes and decision making. Researchers will ask patients to participate in tests and games (chess) that will stimulate the areas of the brain involved with decision making and planning while undergoing the water PET blood flow technique.

Conditions

Cognition Disorders

Keywords

Blood Flow; Chess Play; Frontal Lobe; Neurobehavioral Deficits; Neuropsychology; Positron Emission Tomography; Prefrontal Cortex

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

Normal Controls: Males and female subjects from two age ranges: 18-30 and 50-65 years of age. Individuals with a history of neurological or psychiatric disorder will not be included nor will individuals currently taking psychoactive medication. Patients: Patients with outstanding problems in planning. Patients must have a diagnosed CNS disorder with lesion localization verified by MRI scanning available from the referring physician or completed at the NIH Clinical Center. Patients with unilateral or bilateral lesions that meet the behavioral criteria for selection (planning disorder). Patients will be medication free (or taking medication with no known central nervous system effects) and be able to understand instructions and task demands.

Contact the study team to discuss eligibility requirements. They can help determine if this study is right for you.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS): lead

Study Sites (1)

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Nichelli P, Grafman J, Pietrini P, Alway D, Carton JC, Miletich R. Brain activity in chess playing. Nature. 1994 May 19;369(6477):191. doi: 10.1038/369191a0. No abstract available.

  PMID: 8183339 BACKGROUND

• Partiot A, Grafman J, Sadato N, Flitman S, Wild K. Brain activation during script event processing. Neuroreport. 1996 Feb 29;7(3):761-6. doi: 10.1097/00001756-199602290-00020.

  PMID: 8733740 BACKGROUND

• Flitman S, O'Grady J, Cooper V, Grafman J. PET imaging of maze processing. Neuropsychologia. 1997 Apr;35(4):409-20. doi: 10.1016/s0028-3932(96)00086-3.

  PMID: 9106270 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cognition Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Sponsor Type: NIH

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 3, 1999
• First Posted: December 10, 2002
• Study Start: January 1, 1993
• Study Completion: March 1, 2001
• Last Updated: March 4, 2008

Record last verified: 2000-05

Locations

US (1)