7T MRI biomarkers in CADASIL version 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An observational study of adults with CADASIL using 7-Tesla MRI, phase contrast imaging and arterial spin-labelling to explore the correlation between structural features of cerebral small vessel disease with imaging of intracranial small vessels.
IRAS ID
274193
Contact name
Sam Neilson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Glasgow on behalf of NHS GG&C
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
CADASIL is the most common genetic condition that causes disease of the small blood vessels of the brain. People with CADASIL develop symptoms of migraine, depression, strokes and dementia. The genetic fault is present in around 1 person in 300. There is currently no treatment for CADASIL other than standard preventative treatments for stroke, which are started after someone has had a stroke. Besides the need for treatments in people with CADASIL, understanding CADASIL is likely to offer useful information on vascular dementia more generally.
We know that CADASIL affects the small vessels within the brain and this prevents them regulating blood flow, leading over time to damage. There is wide variation in how individuals with CADASIL are affected, and before being able to investigate possible treatments, it is important to have better ways of measuring blood vessel function in the brain. The development of higher resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques allows us to better visualise the brain, its blood vessels and any associated tissue damage. We will use a strong magnetic field 7-Tesla MRI scanner to explore the feasibility of measuring blood flow in small blood vessels, look in greater detail at visible blood vessels, and measure blood flow. These will add to information on the structure of the brain and the possible effects of age, health and routine medicines. We hope that further understanding of the relationship between blood vessel function, blood flow and brain scan appearances will provide new methods that will allow us to assess how a possible treatment might be investigated.This is a prospective single-centre observational study. We will recruit adult patients with a diagnosis of CADASIL who have capacity to consent from the regional clinic which they regularly attend.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 3
REC reference
23/WS/0184
Date of REC Opinion
29 Jan 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion