RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Optical Neuroimaging and Cognition

This research is investigating how oxygen and energy levels in the brain are affected in different types of dementia, including Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia with Lewy Bodies, as well as in Mild Cognitive Impairment. We're using a newer, more comfortable brain scanning technique called Near-infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS), which shines light to measure changes in brain activity. This method is easier for people to tolerate than older scans, is quieter, and less affected by small movements. The aim is to understand these brain changes better and to see if NIRS can help find new ways to identify and track dementia, potentially making future diagnosis and monitoring simpler for patients.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Cambridge

Enrolment target

200

Start

01 May 2023

Estimated completion

01 Sep 2025

Dementia With Lewy Bodies Alzheimer Disease Mild Cognitive Impairment

What is this study about?

This study is trying to understand more about how dementia affects the brain. We know that conditions like Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia with Lewy Bodies, often called DLB, involve problems with how the brain uses oxygen and energy. Current brain scans used to look at these things, like PET scans, can be uncomfortable, noisy, expensive, and not everyone can have them.

This research uses a newer, gentler way to look at the brain called Near-infrared Spectroscopy, or NIRS. Imagine it like shining a very safe, dim light into your brain that can tell us how much oxygen is being used and how the brain processes energy. It's much easier to tolerate, doesn’t make loud noises, and people can move a little without ruining the scan. This makes it a great option for future use, possibly even at home.

The main goal is to figure out exactly how brain oxygen and energy use change in different types of dementia, and also in a stage called Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), which can sometimes lead to dementia. By comparing people with these conditions to healthy people, we hope to find specific patterns that could help doctors diagnose dementia more accurately and track its progression in the future. We're also using computer learning to help us find these important patterns.

Key takeaways

This study uses gentle brain scans (NIRS) to understand dementia.
It aims to find new ways to diagnose and track Alzheimer's and Lewy Body Dementia.
Participants will have thinking tests and brain scans during a single visit.
It's a research study, so there's no direct personal benefit.
The scans are non-invasive and generally safe, with low risks.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, you would need to have been diagnosed with probable Lewy Body Dementia, Alzheimer's Disease, or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) that is thought to be related to Lewy Bodies or Alzheimer's. Alternatively, if you don't have these conditions, you could be considered as a healthy volunteer if your mental abilities are normal for your age and education, and you score well on a memory and thinking test.

Important requirements include having a good understanding of English. If you’re joining the study because you have one of the conditions, we'd also need a friend or family member (like a carer) who can be with you and help provide information throughout your participation.

There are also some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if your dementia is severe (meaning your score on a thinking and memory test is very low), or if you have certain other health problems that affect your body's energy use or blood flow, such as some long-term lung conditions or metabolic disorders. You also wouldn't be able to join if you have a serious mental illness, like severe depression or schizophrenia, or if there are any reasons why you can't have an MRI scan (like having a pacemaker).

Quick self-check

Have I been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, Lewy Body Dementia, or specific types of Mild Cognitive Impairment?
Do I have a good grasp of the English language?
If I have a diagnosis, can a friend or family member be available to help throughout my participation?
Do I have any serious medical conditions affecting my body's energy use or blood flow, like severe lung disease?
Do I have any metal implants or other reasons I can't have an MRI scan (if applicable)?
Is my dementia not considered severe (e.g., scoring above 12 on a thinking test)?

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you will visit the University of Cambridge. During your visit, you will have several memory and thinking tests — these are like puzzles and questions designed to check different brain functions like memory and attention. While you are doing these tests, we will use the special NIRS device to measure your brain activity. This device is placed gently on your head and uses light, it is not uncomfortable. Some participants may also have an MRI scan, which is a common brain scan. There are no medications involved in this study and no long-term follow-up visits after your main assessment. The total duration of your involvement will be a single visit, lasting a few hours.

Potential risks and benefits

By taking part, you won't directly benefit, but the information collected will help us understand dementia much better. This could lead to improved diagnosis and monitoring for others in the future. The risks are very low; the NIRS scan is safe and non-invasive, and MRI scans are generally safe, but we will check for any reasons you shouldn’t have one. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Univeristy of Cambridge
Cambridge, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is NIRS?

NIRS is a special light-based brain scan that measures how your brain uses oxygen and energy. It's gentle, quiet, and doesn't involve radiation.

Will I have to take any new medicines?

No, this study does not involve taking any new medications. It's all about observations and scans.

How long will my visit take?

Your participation will involve a single visit, which will last for a few hours.

Do I need to stop my current medications?

No, you should continue with all your prescribed medications as normal. This study does not require any changes to your treatment.

Can I leave the study at any time?

Yes, you have the right to withdraw from the study at any point, and it will not affect your medical care.

How to find out more

Emilia Butters, MSc

eb857@cam.ac.uk 07462064164 Official trial record

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