The ACUMEN-HD Study : v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Assessing Cognitive Function and MEasuring the Cerebral CirculatioN on Haemodialysis Study
IRAS ID
162408
Contact name
Patrick Mark
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Clinical Research and Development, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
Patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) are at increased risk of stroke and cognitive decline, although the mechanisms underpinning this are not fully understood. Additionally, the risk factors, clinical impact and natural history of stroke and cognitive impairment in kidney failure are poorly studied. On starting haemodialysis an initial rise in stroke frequency is reported, although this rise levels off with time. This finding suggests that an underlying factor related to haemodialysis is involved in increasing stroke risk. In this study we plan to observe the immediate and long term effects of haemodialysis on brain function, structure and blood flow by combining cognitive assessment, brain magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound in patients established on haemodialysis (HD) within the catchment of the Glasgow renal and transplant unit. All patients in our study will undergo initial cognitive assessment and ultrasound scans at baseline and 12-months later, during and after dialysis sessions. Blood tests will be taken at 0 and 12months and stored frozen to allow testing for markers of vascular injury, if funding permits. A subgroup will undergo a MRI scan following their dialysis session at study entry and 12 months later. This will provide us with information which will allow us to examine immediate and long-term effects of dialysis treatment with a view to developing future interventional trials to reduce the impact of stroke disease.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
15/WS/0024
Date of REC Opinion
26 Feb 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion