Francois Corbin
Francois Corbin
The goal of this study is to better understand the relationship between peripheral and central nervous system measurements of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system in otherwise healthy individuals. the main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does GABA cross the blood-brain barrier? 2. Can peripheral measurements of the GABAergic system be used to study GABA in the brain? Participants will receive oral GABA and Placebo and undergo blood draws, MRI scans and transcranial magnetic stimulation sessions.
GABAergic System
Acute Oral gamma-aminobutyric acid (Natural Health Product in Canada)
Acute Placebo
NA
Although gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system in humans, and various pharmacological compounds and natural products aim to modulate it, it is still unknown whether GABA can cross the blood-brain barrier. The present project aims to clarify this issue by comparing measurements obtained in the central nervous system (the brain) with peripheral measurements (serum) following oral administration of the amino acid GABA. This will help determine if peripheral concentrations of GABA in the blood reflect levels in the brain. This would facility studying the GABAergic system in vulnerable clinical populations (such as children or patients with intellectual disabilities) to participate in without resorting to expensive neuroimaging exams and the inclusion of individuals who cannot undergo neuroimaging exams (e.g., claustrophobia, presence of metal in the body). To achieve this, GABA measurements (serum and neuroimaging) will be obtained before and after the oral intake of 1800mg of GABA or a placebo in 30 healthy adults participating in a cross-over, single-blind study with repeated measures.
| Study Type : | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Estimated Enrollment : | 30 participants |
| Masking : | DOUBLE |
| Masking Description : | The research team will conduct the randomization and participant code allocation process using REDCap and will dispense the medication or placebo based on the randomization. The placebo will be visibly identical to that of the active medication (i.e. white powder in a gel capsule of the same size and colour as the active medication) |
| Primary Purpose : | BASIC_SCIENCE |
| Official Title : | The GABAergic System: Study of the Association Between Serum Measurements and Those Obtained Through Neuroimaging in Healthy Human Adults |
| Actual Study Start Date : | 2025-05-05 |
| Estimated Primary Completion Date : | 2026-05-01 |
| Estimated Study Completion Date : | 2026-07-01 |
Information not available for Arms and Intervention/treatment
| Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years to 35 Years |
| Sexes Eligible for Study: | ALL |
| Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | 1 |
Want to participate in this study, select a site at your convenience, send yourself email to get contact details and prescreening steps.
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