Brain PET scans to spot epigenetic changes in Lewy body dementias using [11C]Martinostat
Imaging epigenetic dysregulation in the Lewy body dementias with [11C]Martinostat
This uses a new PET tracer called [11C]Martinostat to look for chemical changes on DNA‑regulating proteins in people with dementia with Lewy bodies or Parkinson disease dementia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11306645 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, you would have a PET scan with the tracer [11C]Martinostat that binds to histone deacetylases (HDACs), the enzymes that regulate epigenetic changes in the brain. Researchers will compare HDAC signal patterns between people with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), people with Parkinson disease dementia (PDD), and likely other comparison groups. Participants will also have cognitive, movement, and behavioral assessments so the team can link imaging findings to symptoms and disease patterns. The goal is to see whether epigenetic changes tracked by the PET tracer relate to where and how severe the disease is.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) or Parkinson disease dementia (PDD), including those with both cognitive and motor symptoms, are the intended participants.
Not a fit: People without Lewy body‑related disease or those who cannot safely undergo PET scanning (for example, unable to travel to the site or tolerate the procedure) may not benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal brain changes that explain symptoms and help identify people for future targeted therapies or trials.
How similar studies have performed: Early human PET work with [11C]Martinostat has been done in other groups, but applying it to Lewy body dementias is relatively new and not yet proven to change care.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gomperts, Stephen N. — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Gomperts, Stephen N.
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.