Deciphering dystonia:a multimodal imaging and neurophysiological study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Deciphering dystonia: the use of spinal and cranial optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs), MRI and neurophysiology to understand brain and spinal contributions to genetic and task-specific dystonias
IRAS ID
351781
Contact name
Thomas Warner
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Joint Research Office University College London (UCL)
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2025/02/46 , Data Protection Reference number; 178696, EDGE
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Dystonia is a poorly understood hyperkinetic movement disorder affecting around 90,000 people in the UK and over 3 million worldwide. It is defined by “involuntary abnormal focal or generalised movements or postures caused by sustained or intermittent muscle contractions”, and can lead to significant life-long disability for patients. Many conditions may result in dystonia, from genetically-determined non-degenerative “system” disorders such as genetic DYT1 dystonia and sporadic adult onset focal dystonia, to degenerative neurological conditions. Despite this aetiological variability, it is likely these collapse onto a common pattern of motor dysfunction (dystonic signature), with similar mechanisms controlling the expression of the manifesting phenotype.
This project aims to extend the current understanding of the relationship between oscillatory neural activity in the peripheral and central nervous systems and the expression of motor deficits in movement disorders. We will record from patients making naturalistic movements to acquire signals generated by the muscles, brain and spinal cord. Specifically we will employ a non-invasive neuroimaging system. This portable system uses sensors operating at room temperature ("optically pumped magnetometers"- OPM) that can be worn on the subject’s head and spine using a fitted "scanner cast" moulded to the subject's MRI. The use of portable OPM technology allows us to record from patients as they move. This device is UK CE/CA marked and used inside its marked intended purpose. Alongside OPMs, we will use electromyography and electroencephalography to record from cortex and muscle.
By obtaining high quality neural recordings of structures thought to be associated with dystonia we can:
a) infer patterns of activity induced by a motor task designed to mimic daily motor activities; and
b) ask how voluntary movement may interact with dystonia symptoms
c) use new MRI techniques to identify microstructural changes within the brain and spinal cord for dystonia and other movement disorder patients.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/YH/0161
Date of REC Opinion
11 Aug 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion