Recruiting
Structure and Function MRI of Asthma
The investigators will apply 129Xenon and/or 3He image acquisition and analysis methods in 200 asthma patient volunteers in order to characterize and probe the relationship between lung structure and function using imaging.
ClinicalTrials.gov IDNCT02351141
PhaseNA
Enrollment200
SponsorDr. Grace Parraga
Age18 Years – 60 Years
SexALL
Conditions studied
Asthma
About this study
The investigators will apply 129Xenon and/or 3He image acquisition and analysis methods in 200 asthma patient volunteers in order to characterize and probe the relationship between lung structure and function using imaging.
Interventions
- Other: Hyperpolarized Noble Gas MRI — Hyperpolarized Helium-3 and/or Xenon-129. Noble gas magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has recently emerged as another research approach for the non-invasive measurement of lung structure and function, including conduction of gas through airways and into airspaces. Noble gas MRI provides a complimentary and alternative method for evaluating lung disease and may be superior to CT because it allows simultaneous visualization of both airway and airspace structure and function.
Primary outcomes
- Ventilation Defect Percent as measured by Xenon-129 and/or Helium-3 MRI (3 years)
Eligibility information
Inclusion Criteria:
* Subjects male and female aged 18-60 with a clinical diagnosis of asthma
* Smoking history ≤ 1 pack/year
* Subject understands the study procedures and is willing to participate in the study as indicated by signature on the informed consent
* Subject is judged to be in otherwise stable health on the basis of medical history
* Subject able to perform reproducible pulmonary function testing (i.e., the 3 best acceptable spirograms have FEV1 values that do not vary more than 5% of the largest value or more than 100 ml, whichever is greater.)
* FEV1 \>60% predicted
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patient is, in the opinion of the investigator, mentally or legally incapacitated, preventing informed consent from being obtained, or cannot read or understand the written material
* Patient is unable to perform spirometry or plethysmography maneuvers
* Subject has an implanted mechanically, electrically or magnetically activated device or any metal in their body which cannot be removed, including but not limited to pacemakers, neurostimulators, biostimulators, implanted insulin pumps, aneurysm clips, bioprosthesis, artificial limb, metallic fragment or foreign body, shunt, surgical staples (including clips or metallic sutures and/or ear implants.) (At the discretion of the MRI Technologist/3T Manager)
* In the investigator's opinion, subject suffers from any physical, psychological or other condition(s) that might prevent performance of the MRI, such as severe claustrophobia.
* Patient is pregnant
Study locations
- Robarts Research Institute; The University of Western Ontario; London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario N6A 5B7 Canada
Before you participate: Varda Clinical is an independent discovery tool, not the study sponsor or a medical provider. Eligibility can only be determined by the official study team. Discuss potential risks and benefits with a qualified healthcare professional.
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov. Record last refreshed by Varda Clinical: 2026-11-03.