Development of VR/AR navigation tests for AD diagnosis

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Development of VR/AR spatial navigation tasks for AD diagnosis

  • IRAS ID

    351870

  • Contact name

    Dennis Chan

  • Contact email

    dennis.chan@ucl.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University College London

  • Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

    Z6364106/2025/01/111, UCL Data Protection Registration Number

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 6 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    Our previous research has found that virtual reality (VR) based tests of spatial navigation are highly sensitive and specific for detection of early Alzheimer's disease (AD), prior to dementia onset. However these research VR tests are long and require trained staff. For clinical use two additional pieces of work are needed. The first is to develop an augmented reality (AR) version of the VR test, utilising the increased user-friendliness of AR over VR. The second is to establish the construct validity of the VR/AR tests, ie that they are measuring the behaviour that they are designed to measure. To achieve this we will develop new AR tests and also undertake comparison testing of behaviours that may contribute to test performance, such as ability to measure angular rotation.

  • REC name

    London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    25/LO/0778

  • Date of REC Opinion

    14 Nov 2025

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion