CompletedNot Applicable

Simultaneous Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Magnetic Resonance (MR) in Visual Snow Syndrome

22 participantsStarted 2017-01-02

Plain-language summary

Visual snow syndrome (VSS) is a neurologic condition where patients experience tiny flickering dots in their entire visual field. It has been reported that the brain consumes more glucose in the lingual gyrus (a subdivision of the occipital cortex) and that this also shows increased volume of grey matter (neurons and supporting cells). In this study, the investigators apply fluor-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with magnetic resonance imaging (18F-FDG PET/MR) in patients with VSS and compare this to healthy controls. Aside from an analysis in each brain volume element (voxel), the accuracy of classifying groups based on a volume-of-interest (VOI) analysis of both PET and MR is studied, Lastly, this is also compared to a visual assessment of the PET and MR images.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 85 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

GROUP 1: VSS Patients Inclusion Criteria: * M/F, age 18-85, * diagnosis of VSS by an experienced neurologist : dynamic, continuous, black and white tiny dots in the entire visual field lasting longer than 3 months, with at least two additional visual symptoms Exclusion Criteria: \- other underlying neurological conditions inclusive ophthalmological examinations GROUP 2 : Controls Inclusion Criteria: * age 18-85 years, M/F, in general healthy condition * normal neurological examination, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) ≥ 28, Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) score ≤ 9, and a normal structural volumetric MRI. Exclusion Criteria: * history of major internal pathology, neurological and/or psychiatric disorders (including psychosis, depression, and anxiety), * history of frequent migraine attacks, substance abuse or current use of any central acting medication * first-degree relatives with dementia.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Group difference in regional brain metabolism as assessed with 18F-FDG positron emission tomography

Timeframe: analysis done immediately after imaging

Group difference in regional brain volume assessed with volumetric magnetic resonance imaging.

Timeframe: at baseline

Trial details

NCT IDNCT05569733

SponsorUniversitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2017-09-02

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Visual Snow Syndrome trials