Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) MRI for Cognitive Decline
Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) MRI for Cognitive Decline
Overall Status:
Recruiting
Brief Description:
The purpose of this study is to determine the value of arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging (ASL MRI), a measure of blood flow to the brain, in finding the cause of cognitive decline in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Investigators will also compare ASL MRI to existing measures, in particular positron emission tomography (PET).
Patient Qualifications:
| Min Age | Max Age | Gender | Healthy Volunteers |
|---|---|---|---|
55 Years | 89 Years | Both | Yes |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Fluent in English
- Adequate seeing and hearing ability to allow for neuropsychological testing
- Completed six grades of education
- Geriatric Depression scale score of less than 6 (assessed within 3 months)
- Women: Postmenopausal or surgically sterile
-
Participants with MCI:
- MMSE between 24 and 30
- Part of the longitudinal cohort of the Penn Memory Center/Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Cohort
- Available study partner
Exclusion Criteria:
- Any significant neurological disease other than MCI
- Presence of pacemakers, aneurysm clips, artificial heart valves, ear implants, metal fragments, or foreign bodies in the eyes, skin, or body; occupational risks for ferrous metal in the eye
- Major depression, bipolar disorder, or history of schizophrenia
- History of substance abuse or dependence within the past 2 years
- Significant illness or unstable medical condition that could lead to difficulty complying with the protocol
- Severe claustrophobia
- Pregnancy
- Clinically relevant abnormalities in prior blood or urine samples, including a blood glucose level of 180 mg/dl or higher
- Prohibited medications: anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin); other medical or drug treatment contraindicating protocol participation
Detailed Description:
This study will evaluate ASL MRI, a measure of blood flow to the brain, and compare it to PET imaging in healthy participants and people with MCI. PET scans have been found useful in diagnosing MCI and Alzheimer's disease, but the investigators want to find out if they can get the same, or better, information from an ASL MRI scan, which is less expensive and easier to acquire. In addition, the investigators will assess the relationship of these measures to specific protein levels associated with Alzheimer's disease in cerebrospinal fluid, which surrounds the brain and spinal cord and is obtained by lumbar puncture. By comparing the information that is available from these procedures to paticipants' performance on cognitive tests, the researchers hope to learn which procedures most accurately identify the possible causes of cognitive difficulties that arise with MCI.
Locations:
| Map Marker | City | State | Zip Code | Status | Primary Contact | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Geolocation is 39.9583587, -75.1953934 | Penn Memory Center | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | 19104 | Recruiting |
Lead Sponsor:
| Agency |
|---|
University of Pennsylvania |
Collaborator Sponsor:
| Agency |
|---|
National Institute on Aging |
Facility Investigators:
| Name | Role | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
David A. Wolk, MD | Principal Investigator | University of Pennsylvania |
Study Contact:
| Name | Phone | |
|---|---|---|
Dasha Kliot | 215-746-3949 |
Locations
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT01727622 (follow link to view full record on ct.gov in new window)
Official Title:
Optimized Arterial Spin Labeling MRI for Cognitive Decline
Study Start Date:
August 2012
Study End Date:
May 2017
Disease Stage:
Pre-clinical
Early
Enrollment:
120
