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Contact the study team using the details below to take part. If there are no contact details below please ask your doctor in the first instance.
Dr
James
Rowe
james.rowe@mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk
Dr
Haddy
Fye
hf367@medschl.cam.ac.uk
More information about this study, what is involved and how to take part can be found on the study website.
Other degenerative diseases of the nervous systemOrganic, including symptomatic, mental disorders
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The loss or damage of synapses have been implicated in the development of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and other forms of dementia. They may be an early indicator of the development of disease. Our understanding of the role of synaptic loss in neurodegenerative diseases comes largely from post-mortem studies, animal models and research using cell-lines (which allow scientists to investigate biological processes).
The primary aim of this project is to understand the relationship between synaptic health and the progression of human neurodegenerative diseases.
We use advanced brain imaging tools to measure early signs of synaptic function. Specific biochemically developed markers will measure changes to the amounts of important brain proteins in synapses, in diverse forms of dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). The functional imaging techniques allow one to quantify and localise the decline in brain activity and estimate the number of synapses, in life. Breakdown products from synapses released into the fluid around the brain (cerebrospinal fluid, CSF) will also be measured and analysed for correlation with disease and the brain imaging data.
The study will be conducted in dedicated brain imagining facilities at the University of Oxford (Department of Psychiatry) and University of Cambridge (Clinical Neurosciences Department). Where required, participants may scanned at a partner sites to these two Universities based at Invciro (on the Hammersmith Hospital campus, London).
Participants will be invited for a screening visit on the basis of their relevant diagnosis and registry data, including: severity/stage, age, family history of dementia and cognitive assessment. Individuals with genetic history as well as mild to moderate dementia will be included. Self-reported gender will be monitored to ensure approximate balance among groups. Participants will require sufficient proficiency in English to allow standardised cognitive testing. Once enrolled after written informed consent, participants will be followed up for a 24 month period.
Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.
The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:
Observational type: Case-controlled study;
You can take part if:
You may not be able to take part if:
1. Severe dementia so as to be unable to comply with study procedures or MMSE< 18 (except for in the FTD syndromes where MMSE does not accurately reflect severity, in which case we will use the CDR< 2). 2. Significant medical illness (including marked obesity, respiratory insufficiency and back pain) likely to interfere with tolerance of scanning. 3. History of recurrent significant head trauma or any head trauma resulting in protracted loss of consciousness, or serious infectious disease affecting the brain, within five years of screening or between screening and baseline visit. 4. Surgical implant, non-removable prosthesis or other fitment incompatible with MRI 5. Significant current psychiatric disorder. 6. Absence of reliable informant (for patients). 7. Women who are pregnant or who are breast-feeding; or of child bearing potential if sexually active or potentially sexually active during the course of the study. 8. Severe impairment of vision or hearing to a degree that would make assessments not possible. Wearing of glasses and hearing aids is not a contraindication.
Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.
Dr
Haddy
Fye
hf367@medschl.cam.ac.uk
Dr
James
Rowe
james.rowe@mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk
More information about this study, what is involved and how to take part can be found on the study website.
The study is sponsored by CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST and funded by Medical Research Council (MRC) .
Your feedback is important to us. It will help us improve the quality of the study information on this site. Please answer both questions.
Read full details
for Trial ID: CPMS 52227
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