Ultra-high field MRI in familial Alzheimer's Disease
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Ultra-high field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in familial Alzheimer’s disease
IRAS ID
307382
Contact name
Philip Weston
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Changes in the brain that lead to the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) begin over a decade before symptoms. Initially abnormal proteins are deposited, but it is the later loss of brain cells (neurons) that most closely predicts symptomatic decline. Effective treatments have been elusive; targeting treatments earlier, before symptoms develop and significant neuronal loss has occurred, may increase success. To do this we need to improve our understanding of early AD-related neuronal loss, and develop methods for identifying at risk individuals and tracking progression.
In AD the earliest damage to neurons occurs on the brain’s outer surface – the cerebral cortex. One way of assessing early cortical changes is with advanced forms of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
One difficulty with research involving asymptomatic individuals is knowing who already has presymptomatic AD, and therefore who to include. One option is to study people from families affected by the genetic form of AD – familial AD (FAD) – where, by doing a genetic blood test, it is possible know who will and will not develop symptoms in future.
This study will recruit 25 FAD family members: 5 who are mildly symptomatic and 20 who are asymptomatic but at 50% risk of carrying an abnormal gene and so developing symptoms in coming years. Participants will undergo MRI scanning on a new ultra-high field 7-Tesla scanner, allowing characterization of cortical changes with unprecedented detail and precision, with an approach known as quantitive multiparameter mapping (qMPM) enabling quantitive assessment of tissue microstructure. Each individual will undergo a total of two scans, two years apart, allowing measurement of change over time. Participants will have blinded genetic blood test with asymptomatic individuals being split into presymptomatic FAD and controls, and cortical changes compared.
The study will provide new, important insights in to the earliest cortical changes in AD.
REC name
London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/LO/0540
Date of REC Opinion
6 Sep 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion