Understanding how the brain communicates in young people with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study investigates how individuals aged 12-21 with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) perceive and interpret visual information. By utilizing a looming task, researchers aim to explore the communication between different brain regions in these patients. The findings may provide insights into the natural history of POTS and its associated co-morbidities, potentially enhancing the understanding of this condition. The study includes age-matched healthy controls for comparative analysis.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Females 12-21 years old
* Able to communicate and provide consent/assent
* English speaking
* Diagnosed with POTS (POTS will be defined standardly as a symptomatic ≥ 40 bpm rise in heart rate without a drop in blood pressure and with symptoms of orthostatic intolerance clinically)
* Age-matched healthy control subjects: no POTS or other neurological disorders

Exclusion Criteria:

* Inflammatory arthritis, connective tissue or auto-immune disorder
* Any chronic neurological disorder besides POTS
* Evidence of unstable medical disorder, such as kidney (rising creatinine, or end-stage renal failure) or liver impairment (rising AST or ALT, or end-stage with coagulopathy), poorly controlled significant cardiovascular (CHF), respiratory, endocrine (diabetes - A1c \> 9 - or untreated thyroid dysfunction) or uncontrolled psychiatric illness (such as untreated depression, psychosis, etc.)
* Neuropathy, central nervous system disorder (e.g., Cerebral palsy, developmental delay, seizure disorder, MS, stroke, etc.)
* Treatment with a drug or medical device within the previous 30 days that has not received regulatory approval
* Use of hormones (except insulin, thyroid replacement or oral contraceptives, which will be carefully documented)
* Current substance or alcohol abuse
* Any major surgical intervention with general anesthesia in the last 60 days and minor procedure, such as tooth extraction, endoscopy, etc., with local or conscious sedation within 7 days
* Any on-going or pending medical, health or disability related litigation, or current pursuit of disability
* Any condition that in the judgment of the investigator would interfere with the patient's ability to provide informed consent, comply with study instructions, place the patient at increased risk, or which would clearly confound the interpretation of the study results (specific reason will be documented)
* Chronic use of narcotics for pain
* Claustrophobia or any metal hardware that may interfere with MRI
* Investigators and study staff

Where it's running

• Virginia Commonwealth University
  Richmond, Virginia, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Gisela Chelimsky, M.D. — Virginia Commonwealth University
• Study coordinator: Gisela Chelimsky, M.D.
• Email: gisela.chelimsky@vcuhealth.org
• Phone: (804) 628-0145

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Stellate ganglion block to help POTS symptoms

  This study tests whether a stellate ganglion block can improve symptoms and heart rate in adults with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome compared with a sham injection.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Stanford University · Stanford, California and 1 other locations · NCT06953661

• Registry for Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia and Postural Tachycardia Syndrome treatments

  This study is collecting information on the safety and effectiveness of AtriCure devices used to treat people with Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia or Postural Tachycardia Syndrome.

  Recruiting at 15 sites AtriCure, Inc. · Loma Linda, California and 14 other locations · NCT05107635

• Observing autonomic neuropathies and Ehlers Danlos syndromes over time

  This study is trying to understand how autonomic neuropathies and Ehlers Danlos syndromes change over time in patients compared to healthy individuals.

  Recruiting RWTH Aachen University · Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia · NCT04310644

• Effects of CO2 on heart rate and symptoms in POTS patients

  This study tests if breathing in higher levels of carbon dioxide can help improve heart rate and symptoms for people with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).

  Recruiting University of Calgary · Calgary, Alberta · NCT04271878

• Comparing Propranolol and Ivabradine for treating POTS

  This study tests which medication, Propranolol or Ivabradine, works better to help people with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome feel better and manage their symptoms.

  Recruiting Phase 2 University of Calgary · Calgary, Alberta · NCT04186286

• Investigating antibodies in patients with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome

  This study is testing if people with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome have more specific antibodies in their blood compared to healthy individuals, which could help us understand the condition better.

  Recruiting University of Calgary · Calgary, Alberta · NCT02673996

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.