The role of phosphodiesterase 2A in PD with cognitive impairment
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The role of phosphodiesterase 2A (PDE-2A) in patients with early Parkinson’s disease and cognitive impairment: An in vivo positron emission tomography study
IRAS ID
191120
Contact name
Oliver Howes
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Phosphodietserase 2A (PDE-2A) is a protein mainly expressed in specific areas of the brain called striatal, hippocampal and cortex, which contribute to the control of movement and memory. Previous work on animals have shown have shown that dysregulation of PDE-2A lead cells in the brain to die, and drug acting on PDE-2A enhanced memory and cognitive function. Parkinson’s (PD) is a progressive neurological condition, which affect mainly the striatum and the cortex. The loss of nerve cells in the striatum causes the development of PD. The loss of neurons in the cortex causes the development of cognitive impairment. PDE-2A levels have never been investigated people with PD.
We will ask the participants to undertake a special type of brain scan, which can be used to measure the activity of PDE-2A enzyme. This type of scan is called positron emission tomography (PET), which can be used to measure chemical changes within the brain and consequently study the functions of the brain. We will also ask participants to take a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain that will be used to help us with the analysis of the PET scans.
We believe PDE-2A may be altered in PD and its change may influence the development of cognitive impairment. If this hypothesis is true, PDE-2A could be a targeted with drugs which could improve cognitive functions in PD.
We will analyse the results from the PET scans with advanced computer software in order to investigate the expression of PDE-2A in Parkinson’s disease. The investigators of this study have world-class experience with this type of computer image analysis.
REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/0047
Date of REC Opinion
4 Feb 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion