Motor, sensory and cognitive mechanisms in brain impairment (MoSCo)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Motor, sensory and cognitive mechanisms in brain impairment (MoSCo)
IRAS ID
270599
Contact name
Barry Mitra Seemungal
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Joint Research Compliance Office, Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
The brain controls our balance and spatial orientation enabling us to walk effortlessly. To balance, the brain uses information from the inner ear vestibular and auditory organs, joints and muscles (providing limb movement information), eyes, and memory. This project assesses how the brain combines these different aspects to help our balance in health and disease. People with and without manifest brain dysfunction and/or at risk of brain dysfunction, due to trauma, inflammation, vascular or neurodegenerative problems, will be recruited either in the hospital (on ward or in clinic) or by advertising to community medical, social and charity services. We will focus on aspects that may explain problems with balance and spatial orientation. (1) Laboratory tests. Participants will be tested in the laboratory using battery of behavioural tasks including non-invasive brain stimulation, vestibular-motion and orientation testing, gait and balance testing, and neurophysiological recordings. (2) Brain imaging. Participants will have MRI scans. (3) Home tests. We will assess patients at home via wearable devices that record movement and neurophysiological signals (e.g. heartbeat or nervous activity). (4) Participants will also undergo a set of questionnaires. (5) Effect of medication. To control for the effect of medication in patients, we will assess the effect of medication on our behavioural tests in healthy controls, using two Dopamine agonists and placebo. We will use a single oral administration of each of Pergolide (0.25mg), used in Parkinson’s Disease; Donezepil (5mg), used in dementia; and Atomoxetine (60mg), used to improve attention. We will compare the effect of these medications with placebo. We will use blood sampling to evaluate the effect of medication on performance. Data obtained from the participants will provide valuable information for development of effective therapies in patients suffering with imbalance and spatial disorientation.
REC name
London - Harrow Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/LO/0112
Date of REC Opinion
22 Apr 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion