Astroglial activation, β-amyloid deposition and neuronal activity

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Multi-modal imaging correlates of astroglial activation, β-amyloid deposition and neuronal activity as markers of cognitive impairment in AD

• IRAS ID

  183102

• Contact name

  Paul Matthews

• Contact email

  p.matthews@imperial.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Imperial College JRCO

• Duration of Study in the UK

  2 years, 0 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  With PET (a special type of imaging) we have previously shown that Alzheimer’s disease (AD) subjects have significantly increased accumulation of an abnormal protein called amyloid in the brain. In this research, we propose a proof-of-concept study to characterise the brain uptake of a novel astroglial (brain cell) activation imaging marker called [11C]BU99008 in a population of patients with mild to moderate AD. We will define the relationships between brain uptake of this marker, amyloid deposition (measured with a different marker called [18F]florbetaben) and brain glucose metabolism (measured by uptake of another PET tracer, [18F]FDG). The potential clinical significance of astroglial activation measured in this way will be explored by testing for relationships with measures of brain and memory performance, measures of activities of daily living and measures of brain activity.
  Primary objective
  To test whether the uptake of [11C]BU99008 is increased in the brains of people with mild to moderate AD relative to age-matched healthy volunteers
  Secondary objectives
  1. To assess the relationship between [11C]BU99008 uptake and reduction in glucose metabolism in the brain
  2. To assess whether [11C]BU99008 binding in the brain corresponds to amyloid accumulation

• REC name

  London - West London & GTAC Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  15/LO/1609

• Date of REC Opinion

  9 Nov 2015

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion