Investigating blood vessel health in people addicted to cocaine using advanced imaging techniques
Atherosclerosis in cocaine addiction: imaging risk with PET/MR
This study is looking at how cocaine addiction might affect the health of your blood vessels, especially in older adults who have used cocaine, to catch early signs of heart problems before they become serious.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11044071 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how cocaine addiction affects blood vessel health, particularly looking for early signs of atherosclerosis in individuals who may not yet show symptoms. By using advanced imaging techniques, including PET and MRI, the study aims to detect inflammation in blood vessels and assess plaque buildup in the carotid artery. This early detection is crucial for preventing serious health issues, such as strokes, in individuals with cocaine use disorder. The study targets an aging population that has a history of cocaine use, aiming to improve their health outcomes through timely intervention.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of cocaine use who are currently asymptomatic but at risk for vascular disease.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have a history of cocaine use or those with overt symptoms of vascular disease may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier detection and prevention of serious vascular diseases in individuals with cocaine addiction.
How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies on arterial disease in cocaine users postmortem, this approach of using advanced imaging for early detection in living patients is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alia-Klein, Nelly — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Alia-Klein, Nelly
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.