MEG and cognition in Myotonic Dystrophy 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Using magnetoencephalography to understand the cognitive burden associated with myotonic dystrophy; a cohort study based at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, and Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Neuroimaging
IRAS ID
300647
Contact name
Umesh Vivekananda
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
UCL
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Myotonic dystrophy (DM1) is an inherited multisystem disorder predominantly affecting skeletal muscle and the heart. However another recognised feature are cognitive problems, especially with attention and speed of thinking. Indeed cognitive issue comprise a significant part of the burden associated with DM1. In this study we aim to use a validated functional imaging method, called Magnetoencephalography or MEG, to better understand how brain function may be affected during cognitive tasks in patients with Myotonic Dystrophy. MEG is an alternative non-invasive brain scanning technique that gives a unique window into whole brain function. It detects the changes in magnetic field outside the head that are generated by synchronised current flow through neuronal populations in the brain, thereby providing a direct representation of brain activity.
In this study we will record MEG from 20 patients with genetically confirmed DM1 whilst they perform different tasks known to be affected by the condition; a visuospatial task where patients are immersed in a virtual 3D environment (on a laptop) and asked to remember object locations, a working memory task where patients are asked to remember lists of novel objects and subsequently tested, and reward based task where patients will be asked to predict outcomes of events e.g. coin toss.
We will then look at activity in important brain regions (prefrontal cortex and temporal lobes) during task performance and compare the results of DM1 patients with previously acquired data from healthy controls. This work may identify novel biomarkers associated with cognitive deficit in DM1 which can be used as targets for future therapy of this important comorbidity.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
22/NS/0152
Date of REC Opinion
16 Jan 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion