CogState in Mitochondrial Disease
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Computerised neurocognitive assessment in patients with Mitochondrial Disease
IRAS ID
307004
Contact name
Grainne Gorman
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Mitochondria are the ‘batteries’ of the cell that generate the energy we need. When they are faulty, it leads to mitochondrial diseases.
Mitochondrial diseases have a number of causes and symptoms. One of the most commonly affected areas is the brain. This can lead to problems with things like memory, understanding and communication (we use the term ‘cognitive function’ to describe these). Often these problems get worse over time.Having an easy and reliable way to measure cognitive function in people with mitochondrial disease is important. It allows us to measure whether they are getting worse over time. It also allows us to check whether potential new treatments can improve cognitive function.
There are different ways to measure cognitive function. Often we ask people to answer questions or complete activities on paper. The CogState tool is a way of measuring cognitive function using a computer. People are asked to sit at a computer and complete tasks. It has already been used to measure cognitive function in a number of medical conditions.
In this study we want to use the CogState tool to measure cognitive function in people with mitochondrial disease. We want to see how CogState compares to the ways that cognitive function is usually measured in mitochondrial disease .
Between 30 and 50 adults attending the Newcastle Mitochondrial Disease Clinic for Adults and Children will be invited to take part in the study. Study visits will take place at the same time and place as their usual clinic appointment.
In addition to all usual clinic assessments (including standard ways of measuring cognitive function) participants will have their cognitive function measured via CogState. These assessments will then be repeated one year later. Results from CogState will then be compared to the results from the standard assessments.
REC name
London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/PR/1052
Date of REC Opinion
16 Sep 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion