Mild AsthmaPAXTNCT07143747
PAXT: Pulmonary Imaging of Mild Asthma Using 129Xe MRI and Tc-99-Labeled-Carbon-Imaging (Tc99CImaging)
An observational study of Mild Asthma, run by Dr. Grace Parraga at 1 site in Canada.
Trial summary
The goal of this observational study is to better understand how asthma affects the lungs in young adults (ages 17-35) with mild asthma. The main questions it aims to answer are: Can advanced imaging detect abnormal airway function in people with mild asthma? Do changes in ventilation imaging correlate with asthma… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 17 to 35 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Mild Asthma
- What is being tested?
- Hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI and Tc-99m Technegas Ventilation Imaging
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCanada
- Study dates
- 2 Mar 2026to Dec 2028
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 17 to 35 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult
Study population: Participants will be young adults aged 17 to 35 years with physician-diagnosed mild asthma, consistent with Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) Step 1 criteria. All participants will be prescribed short-acting bronchodilators for as-needed use only and will have no regular controller medication use. Eligible individuals must be otherwise healthy, non-smokers (or with ≤5 pack-year history and no smoking in the past year), and free from other chronic respiratory diseases. Participants will be recruited from the general population and will undergo a single, comprehensive imaging and lung function assessment visit.
Who may be able to join
- Participants eligible for inclusion in this study must meet all of the following criteria:
- Participant diagnosed with mild (GINA1) asthma by physician
- Participant understands study procedures and is willing to participate in the study as indicated by the participant's signature
- Provision of written, informed consent prior to any study specific procedures
- Males and females 17 to 35 years of age
- Women of childbearing potential (after menarche) must ensure that they are using an effective form of birth control for at least 2 months prior to each imaging visit. Examples of effective birth control include:
Show all 15Show fewer
- True sexual abstinence
- A vasectomized sexual partner
- Implanon®
- Female sterilization by tubal occlusion
- Effective intrauterine device (IUD)/levonogestrel intrauterine system (IUS)
- Depo-Provera™ injections
- Oral contraceptive
- Evra Patch™
- Nuvaring™
Who cannot join
- Participants fulfilling any of the following criteria are not eligible for inclusion in this study:
- Participant 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)
- In the investigator's opinion, subject suffers from any physical, psychological or other condition(s) that might prevent performance of the MRI, CT, or Tc99CImaging, such as severe claustrophobia
- Participants who are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a positive pregnancy test at initial screening visit
- Participant is unable to perform spirometry or plethysmography maneuvers
- Participant is unable to perform MRI and CT breath-hold maneuvers
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Canada1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Robarts Research Institute; The University of Western Ontario
London, Ontario, N6A 5B7
Grace E Parraga, PhD, 519-931-5265, gparraga@robarts.ca
About this study
The goal of this observational study is to better understand how asthma affects the lungs in young adults (ages 17-35) with mild asthma. The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Can advanced imaging detect abnormal airway function in people with mild asthma?
- Do changes in ventilation imaging correlate with asthma symptoms or quality of life? Researchers will compare hyperpolarized xenon-129 MRI and Technegas (Tc-99m) imaging to see if these techniques reveal more detailed lung abnormalities than standard lung function tests.
Read more
Participants will:
- Complete a single 2-hour visit
- Undergo two types of lung imaging: Hyperpolarized xenon-129 MRI (to visualize how air moves in the lungs), Technegas (Tc-99m) imaging (to assess airflow using nuclear medicine)
- Perform spirometry and other breathing tests
- Answer questionnaires about asthma symptoms and quality of life This study is designed to improve our understanding of subtle changes in lung function that may not be detected by standard tests in people with mild asthma. The findings may lead to better diagnostic tools and more personalized treatment strategies in the future.
Read the detailed description
This is a single centre, study in university-aged participants diagnosed with mild asthma as indicated by a prescription for a short acting bronchodilator for use as needed.
Each participant will participate in one research study visit which includes pre- and post- bronchodilator (BD) spirometry, plethysmography, oscillometry, 129Xe MRI as well as pre-BD ultra-low dose chest CT, Tc99CImaging, blood CBC, sputum induction, as well as completion of the ACQ and AQLQ questionnaires.
- Conditions
- Mild Asthma
- Being tested
- Hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI, Tc-99m Technegas Ventilation Imaging
- Keywords
- Hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI, Technegas Ventilation Imaging, Pulmonary Function Testing, Mild Asthma, Ventilation Defects
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Hyperpolarized 129Xe MRIOther
Inhalation of hyperpolarized 129Xe gas followed by breath-hold MRI for ventilation imaging.
Tc-99m Technegas Ventilation ImagingOther
Inhalation of Tc-99m-labeled carbon aerosol (Technegas) followed by SPECT imaging to assess lung ventilation.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Mild Asthma | Not described Receives: Other: Hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI; Other: Tc-99m Technegas Ventilation Imaging |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Measure 129Xe and Tc99C Imaging ventilation defects qualitatively and quantitatively in participants diagnosed and treated as "mild" asthma.
Ventilation defects will be assessed using 129Xe MRI and Tc-99m Technegas SPECT imaging. Measurements will include ventilation defect percentage (VDP) and visual scoring to evaluate ventilation abnormalities in participants with mild asthma.
Measured: 1 baseline visit for pre- and post-bronchodilator imaging assessments
Secondary outcomes (1)
Evaluate the relationships of MRI and Tc99CImaging ventilation defects with ACQ, oscillometry (R5-19) and FEV1
In this exploratory study, we hypothesize that there will be significant relationships between ventilation abnormalities and oscillometry as well as FEV1 and asthma control questionnaire (ACQ) score.
Measured: 1 baseline visit
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted27 Aug 2025
- Study start2 Mar 2026
- Primary completionAug 2028 (estimated)
- Study completionDec 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Mild AsthmaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Dr. Grace Parraga
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Cyclomedica Australia PTY Limited
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Dr. Grace Parraga, Western University, Canada
- Investigators
- Grace E Parraga, PhD, Principal investigator, Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07143747
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- ROB0055
- Acronym
- PAXT
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 8 Aug 2025
- Last updated
- 31 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 31 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- PAXT: Pulmonary Imaging of Mild Asthma Using 129Xe MRI and Tc-99-Labeled-Carbon-Imaging (Tc99CImaging)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07143747
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PAXT / ROB0055
- Conditions
- Mild Asthma
- Keywords
- Hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI, Technegas Ventilation Imaging, Pulmonary Function Testing, Mild Asthma, Ventilation Defects
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Dr. Grace ParragaUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Cyclomedica Australia PTY Limited
- Study start
- 2 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Aug 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Dec 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 27 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this observational study is to better understand how asthma affects the lungs in young adults (ages 17-35) with mild asthma. The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Can advanced imaging detect abnormal airway function in people with mild asthma?
- Do changes in ventilation imaging correlate with asthma symptoms or quality of life? Researchers will compare hyperpolarized xenon-129 MRI and Technegas (Tc-99m) imaging to see if these techniques reveal more detailed lung abnormalities than standard lung function tests.
Participants will:
- Complete a single 2-hour visit
- Undergo two types of lung imaging: Hyperpolarized xenon-129 MRI (to visualize how air moves in the lungs), Technegas (Tc-99m) imaging (to assess airflow using nuclear medicine)
- Perform spirometry and other breathing tests
- Answer questionnaires about asthma symptoms and quality of life This study is designed to improve our understanding of subtle changes in lung function that may not be detected by standard tests in people with mild asthma. The findings may lead to better diagnostic tools and more personalized treatment strategies in the future.
Detailed description
This is a single centre, study in university-aged participants diagnosed with mild asthma as indicated by a prescription for a short acting bronchodilator for use as needed.
Each participant will participate in one research study visit which includes pre- and post- bronchodilator (BD) spirometry, plethysmography, oscillometry, 129Xe MRI as well as pre-BD ultra-low dose chest CT, Tc99CImaging, blood CBC, sputum induction, as well as completion of the ACQ and AQLQ questionnaires.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Mild Asthma | – | Other: Hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI, Other: Tc-99m Technegas Ventilation Imaging |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 17 to 35 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
- Study population
- Participants will be young adults aged 17 to 35 years with physician-diagnosed mild asthma, consistent with Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) Step 1 criteria. All participants will be prescribed short-acting bronchodilators for as-needed use only and will have no regular controller medication use. Eligible individuals must be otherwise healthy, non-smokers (or with ≤5 pack-year history and no smoking in the past year), and free from other chronic respiratory diseases. Participants will be recruited from the general population and will undergo a single, comprehensive imaging and lung function assessment visit.
Key inclusion criteria (15 listed)
- Participants eligible for inclusion in this study must meet all of the following criteria:
- Participant diagnosed with mild (GINA1) asthma by physician
- Participant understands study procedures and is willing to participate in the study as indicated by the participant's signature
- Provision of written, informed consent prior to any study specific procedures
- Males and females 17 to 35 years of age
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Participants fulfilling any of the following criteria are not eligible for inclusion in this study:
- Participant 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)
- In the investigator's opinion, subject suffers from any physical, psychological or other condition(s) that might prevent performance of the MRI, CT, or Tc99CImaging, such as severe claustrophobia
- Participants who are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a positive pregnancy test at initial screening visit
- Participant is unable to perform spirometry or plethysmography maneuvers
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Hyperpolarized 129Xe MRIInhalation of hyperpolarized 129Xe gas followed by breath-hold MRI for ventilation imaging. | Other | Mild Asthma |
| Tc-99m Technegas Ventilation ImagingInhalation of Tc-99m-labeled carbon aerosol (Technegas) followed by SPECT imaging to assess lung ventilation. | Other | Mild Asthma |
Primary outcome
Measure 129Xe and Tc99C Imaging ventilation defects qualitatively and quantitatively in participants diagnosed and treated as "mild" asthma.
Time frame: 1 baseline visit for pre- and post-bronchodilator imaging assessments
Ventilation defects will be assessed using 129Xe MRI and Tc-99m Technegas SPECT imaging. Measurements will include ventilation defect percentage (VDP) and visual scoring to evaluate ventilation abnormalities in participants with mild asthma.
1 secondary outcome
Evaluate the relationships of MRI and Tc99CImaging ventilation defects with ACQ, oscillometry (R5-19) and FEV1
Time frame: 1 baseline visit
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 31 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Grace E Parraga, PhD principal investigator
Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Mild Asthma, run by Dr. Grace Parraga at 1 site in Canada.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 15 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 31 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Canada. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Grace E Parraga, PhD (519-931-5777 ext. 24197, gparraga@robarts.ca), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Measure 129Xe and Tc99C Imaging ventilation defects qualitatively and quantitatively in participants diagnosed and treated as "mild" asthma. (time frame: 1 baseline visit for pre- and post-bronchodilator imaging assessments). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 31 Jul 2026.