Clinical Trial: Quantitative MRI for Non-invasive Assessment of Severity of Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD)

Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Recruiting
Study Type: Observational

Official Title: Quantitative MRI for Non-invasive Assessment of Severity of Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD)

Brief Summary: The current goal in the treatment of Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD) is to manage ALD-associated complications as there are no disease-specific therapies. Identifying disease-specific therapies to slow ALD progression is critical to improving the outcomes in these patients. Despite preclinical treatment studies in animal models that have shown promise, clinical trials in ALD patients have been limited by the absence of sensitive, quantitative methods for identifying severity and monitoring progression of liver disease. The rates of progression of liver disease in ALD are variable and difficult to predict, which makes assessments of therapies difficult. Clinical measures of hepatic or biliary disease (e.g., bilirubin, transaminases) may be normal, only mildly elevated and/or stable despite ongoing organ damage. Liver biopsies are diagnostic, but are invasive and are of limited value for longitudinal monitoring. Currently clinical imaging, including standard volumetric imaging (MRI and ultrasonography) and hepatic fibrosis assessment (e.g. Fibroscan) are also of limited utility in fully staging disease severity and monitoring progression in ALD. The absence of clinically available methods for accurately determining the severity and progression of liver disease progression in ALD has limited implementation of clinical trials using novel therapeutic agents. Development of non-invasive imaging biomarkers to assess rates of liver progression will overcome this barrier and allow for such studies to be undertaken. This study intends to perform a one-time MRI on patients with ALD to search for these biomarkers that can improve the diagnosis and treatment of ALD patients.

Detailed Summary:
Sponsor: The Cleveland Clinic

Current Primary Outcome:

• T1 relaxation time [ Time Frame: 1 hour ]
  Quantification of T1 relaxation time assessed over 1 hour MRI
• Hepatic fat fraction [ Time Frame: 1 hour ]
  Quantification of hepatic fat fraction assessed over 1 hour MRI
• ASL (Arterial spin labeling) based perfusion measurements [ Time Frame: 1 hour ]
  Quantification of ASL (Arterial spin labeling) based perfusion measurement in Quantification of arterial spin labeling assessed over 1 hour MRI
• Signs of portal hypertension [ Time Frame: 1 hour ]
  Asses the presence or absence of splenomegaly and varices over a 1 hour MRI to help determine portal hypertension

Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

Original Secondary Outcome:

Information By: The Cleveland Clinic

Dates:
Date Received: April 5, 2017
Date Started: June 30, 2017
Date Completion: December 2018
Last Updated: April 17, 2017
Last Verified: April 2017