Advanced brain imaging support for REM sleep behavior disorder (early synuclein disorders)
NAPS2 Neuroimaging Core
This project uses high-resolution MRI and DaTscan brain scans to follow people with REM sleep behavior disorder over time to spot early signs of Parkinson’s and related conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11321179 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would get detailed, standardized brain scans using modern MRI methods and DaTscan at participating sites. The Core collects multimodal data (high-resolution diffusion MRI, resting-state fMRI, multi-echo GRE to measure iron, and DaTscan) at two time points. All images are harmonized across sites and analyzed centrally by imaging experts to find patterns that appear before clinical disease. The goal is to produce reliable imaging markers that can be used in future trials and care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) or other prodromal signs who can safely undergo MRI and DaTscan at a study site.
Not a fit: People without RBD/prodromal synuclein symptoms or those who cannot have MRI/DaTscan (for example due to incompatible implants or severe claustrophobia) are unlikely to receive direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal early brain changes that predict progression to Parkinson’s or other synucleinopathies, enabling earlier diagnosis and better-targeted trials.
How similar studies have performed: Prior imaging studies in RBD were generally small or retrospective and have shown some promising signals, but this larger, harmonized prospective imaging effort is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kantarci, Kejal — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Kantarci, Kejal
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.