The noradrenergic locus coeruleus in healthy ageing and AD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Assessing the role of the noradrenergic locus coeruleus in healthy ageing and early Alzheimer's disease
IRAS ID
222083
Contact name
Joe Mirza
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2017/05/42, Data Protection
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 7 months, 31 days
Research summary
Research suggests that loss of nerve cells (neurons) in a brain structure called locus coeruleus (LC) is partly responsible for the difficulties experienced by older people such as ‘remembering things’ and ‘adapting to changes’. In people with Alzheimer’s disease, the Locus Coeruleus is one of first brain structures to be affected, and regions to which the Locus Coeruleus is functionally connected are affected as the illness progresses. Unfortunately, the role of Locus Coeruleus in healthy ageing and Alzheimer’s is not fully understood in people because non-invasive measures have only recently been developed.
We could previously show that it is possible to measure the anatomical structure as well as functional activation of Locus Coeruleus non-invasively in younger and older adults. We will use these new brain imaging procedures to examine to what extent the Locus Coeruleus has shrunk in healthy older adults as well as older adults with mild Alzheimer’s disease. Also, we will be able to test how changes in Locus Coeruleus volume and function relate to a decline in memory and adapting to changes. To do this, we use a memory task as well as a newly developed computerized gambling task that simulates a changing environment.
If successful, our research will provide novel insights into the mechanisms of cognitive and brain decline in healthy ageing and dementia. We also anticipate that we will establish new methods for psychiatric and dementia research. Our insights will ultimately help to develop interventions that aim at maintaining a high level of well-being in healthy ageing and provide tools to examine causes of pathological ageing.REC name
London - Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1419
Date of REC Opinion
21 Sep 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion