Glymphatic Kinetics In Healthy Adult Volunteers

This is a prospective, longitudinal study of MR imaging of intrathecally delivered gadolinium contrast (Magnevist, Gd-DTPA) in healthy adult male and female subjects. Subjects will be divided into two groups (20-50 years old and 51-80 years old) both of which will receive intrathecal injection of the drug Magnevist (Gd-DTPA), followed by serial MR imaging over the course of 10-12 hours. The purpose of the study is determine the transport kinetics of Central Nervous System (CNS) exposure to gadolinium contrast injected into the lumbar intrathecal space (lower back) and evaluate changes with age. This will allow investigators to evaluate the brain parenchymal penetration of gadolinium as an illustrative imaging marker that mirrors the glymphatic system. Investigators hypothesize the exposure and penetration patterns of the neuraxis to neurotherapeutic drugs can be modeled using gadolinium intrathecal contrast administered in the lumbar intrathecal space.

Inclusion criteria

• Deemed healthy and able to undergo MR imaging by the Site Investigator, based on screening assessments:

medical history, physical examination, vital signs, and clinical laboratory values

• Age 20-80
• Willing to undergo multiple imaging sessions
• Normal screening MRI to exclude subjects with a mass (e.g., disk herniation), congenital malformation (e.g., Chiari malformation), or an abnormal curvature of the spine that could alter CSF flow.
• If female of childbearing age: negative pregnancy test
• Normal Basic metabolic Panel and CBC (Platelet count > 150,000; Hb >8)
• Willing to undergo LP procedure. -

Exclusion criteria

• Kyphosis
• Claustrophobia
• Chronic cough
• Active infection with fever (>101.5), to limit risk of meningitis. Infections could include pneumonia, pharyngitis, skin infection, UTI, etc.
• History of CNS tumor or anomaly
• History of radiation therapy to the CNS
• History of hydrocephalus
• Abnormality on MRI that could impede CSF flow (i.e., extruded disk)
• Laboratory finding of prolonged coagulation times
• Pregnant/nursing
• Prior spine or brain surgery or trauma
• Inability to lay still and supine
• Recent lumbar puncture within 1 month of planned LP.