Enrolling by invitationOBSERVATIONAL

Twins MR Imaging Study

This study is inviting adult twins (aged 18 and over) to have special scans called MRI. These scans create detailed pictures of your brain, heart, spine, and other organs. Researchers want to use this information to build a large pool of data about how different body parts age. By comparing twins, even those who look similar at first, they can explore how changes over time might be linked to different life experiences, genes, and environment. This could help us understand why some people develop age-related conditions like Alzheimer's disease, heart problems, or fatty liver disease. Over time, this research could lead to better ways to prevent or treat these conditions.

At a glance

Status

Enrolling by invitation

Sponsor

King's College London

Enrolment target

2,500

Start

19 Dec 2023

Estimated completion

01 Mar 2028

Aging

What is this study about?

This study is all about understanding how our bodies age. We know that many things, like our genes, our lifestyle choices, and the environment we live in, can affect how we age and whether we develop certain diseases. For example, conditions like Alzheimer's disease, heart failure, and even some cancers are more common as we get older.

The researchers believe that looking at twins is a fantastic way to study this. When twins are young, their bodies are often very similar. But as they grow up and live different lives, their bodies might change in different ways. By comparing these changes, especially using detailed scans, scientists can get clues about what truly influences how we age and why some people develop age-related health issues.

To do this, the study uses a type of scan called an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). MRI scans are safe and don't use X-rays. They create very detailed pictures of the inside of your body, allowing doctors to see organs like your brain, heart, and spine clearly. These scans can often pick up tiny changes long before someone might feel unwell. By gathering all this information from many twins, the researchers hope to build a much clearer picture of how our bodies age and what might cause diseases to develop.

Key takeaways

This study uses MRI scans to understand how our bodies age.
It focuses on twins to explore how genes and environment affect ageing and disease.
Participation involves two 45-minute MRI scans of different body parts.
The study aims to create a valuable resource for future research into age-related conditions.
You must be an adult twin (18+) and already part of the TwinsUK Biobank to participate.
MRI scans are safe and do not use radiation.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be an adult twin, meaning you're 18 years old or older. You can be an identical twin or a non-identical twin, and the study is open to both men and women. It's also important that you are already part of a group called the TwinsUK Biobank, which is a big collection of health information from twins across the UK.

Before taking part, you'll need to understand the study information and be able to give your permission (called 'informed consent') to participate. This ensures you know what you're signing up for.

There are a few reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you are pregnant, or if you have medical implants (like certain pacemakers or metal clips) that aren't safe to be near an MRI machine. If you find small, enclosed spaces very difficult (claustrophobia) or have severe anxiety, an MRI scan might not be suitable for you either. Finally, if the main researcher thinks there's another condition that might affect the study results, you might not be able to join.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you an adult aged 18 or over?
Are you a twin (identical or non-identical)?
Are you already a participant in the TwinsUK Biobank?
Are you able to understand study information and give your consent?
Do you have any metal implants that might affect an MRI scan?
Do you experience severe claustrophobia or anxiety in enclosed spaces?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you will first go through a screening process to make sure you're suitable and safe for an MRI scan. If you pass this, you'll need to give your informed consent, which means you understand the study and agree to participate.

Your main involvement will be two MRI scan sessions. Each session will last about 45 minutes. During the first session, they'll scan your head and spine. In the second session, they'll scan your abdomen (tummy area) down to your upper thigh. These scans will create detailed pictures of your brain, spine, internal organs, and some bones and muscles. That's all that's required for most participants.

However, a smaller group of 350 twins, whose initial scans show interesting differences, will be invited back to have these MRI scans repeated about two years later. This is to see how their bodies have changed over time. There are no medications involved in this study, and the total duration for most participants is just the time taken for the screening and the two MRI scans.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study won't directly improve your health. However, the information gathered from your MRI scans will help scientists learn much more about how ageing affects the body and how diseases develop. This could benefit many people in the future by leading to better ways to prevent or treat age-related conditions. MRI scans are generally very safe and don't use radiation. The main risk is discomfort if you don't like small spaces, or if you have certain metal implants that aren't safe for an MRI. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

King's College London
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is an MRI scan?

An MRI scan uses strong magnets and radio waves to create detailed pictures of the inside of your body. It doesn't use X-rays.

Do I have to be an identical twin to join?

No, both identical and non-identical twins are welcome to participate, as long as you are 18 or older and part of TwinsUK.

How long will I be in the scanner?

You will have two scan sessions, each lasting about 45 minutes. So, roughly 1.5 hours in total for the scans.

Will I get to see my scan results?

The study focuses on research, and the detailed images are for scientific study. They won't routinely be shared with you to interpret for your health.

Is there any radiation involved?

No, MRI scans do not use any radiation, making them a safe imaging technique.

How to find out more

Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.