Multi-Modal Hippocampal Imaging in MS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
In vivo characterisation of hippocampal pathology in patients with Depression associated to Multiple Sclerosis using novel multimodal quantitative MR imaging
IRAS ID
277501
Contact name
Alessandro Colasanti
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Sussex
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, debilitating disease caused by inflammation in the brain and spinal cord. MS represents a major cause of neurological disability in individuals aged between 30 and 60. The signs and symptoms are variable, they can come and go initially and then remain persistent later on.
There is robust evidence that showing high prevalence of Depression in individuals with MS, and that this is not just the psychological consequence of disability caused by MS. Half of people who have MS, are reported to also suffer with Depression in the course of their lifetime and when both conditions occur together in the same individual, there are worsening outcomes and a poorer quality of life. Efforts to figure out what causes Depression in MS patients are therefore paramount and are ongoing.
The Hippocampus is a brain region noted to be extensively affected in MS patients. The Hippocampus also has varying connections and involvement with areas of the brain that control our emotions, behaviour and memory. Research evidence has shown abnormalities in hippocampus structure, function, and metabolism associated to MS. There are converging evidences indicating the role of neuroinflammation in the origins of depression in general. Preliminary investigations have identified neuroinflammation of the hippocampus to be associated with development of depressive symptoms in MS.
We intend to apply various novel MRI techniques to quantify hippocampal changes in MS associated to depression, and investigate if these techniques are sensitive to demonstrate in vivo the effects of treatments for MS that are likely to reduce neuroinflammation. The results of this study will help to better understand the causes of depression associated to MS, and will be helpful to measure directly the effects of immuno-modulating disease modifying treatment on brain inflammation.REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/LO/1303
Date of REC Opinion
25 Jan 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion