Dual Energy CT For Brain Iron Quantification In Neurodegeneration
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Quantification of Brain Iron by Dual Energy CT in Patients wit Alzheimer's Dementia, Parkinson's Disease and in Age Matched Healthy Volunteers - A Proof of Principle Study
IRAS ID
163416
Contact name
CE Hutchinson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Warwick
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, days
Research summary
Iron is an essential element in the normal functioning of the nervous system. There is growing evidence that dysfunctional usage of iron in the brain is linked to several neurodegenerative disorders. Post-mortem studies of the brain have shown that the concentration of iron varies greatly in different parts of the brain and increases in certain parts of the brain with age. Post-mortem and MRI studies have also demonstrated abnormal levels of iron in specific areas of the brain in Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's dementia and a variety of other neurodegenerative disorders. MRI can quantify brain iron, however the scans are time consuming and expensive. Dual energy CT has the capacity to quantify iron due to the two different types of x-ray absorption. DECT offers the potential to quantify brain iron in a quicker and cheaper manner. Given the rise in dementia within the ageing population, it is imperative to identify more efficient methods of evaluating neurodegenerative disorders.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/YH/0217
Date of REC Opinion
11 Aug 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion