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NCT Number: NCT01727622

Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) MRI for Cognitive Decline

The purpose of this study is to determine the value of Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) MRI, a measure of blood flow to the brain, in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and compare it to existing measures. In particular, the investigators will compare ASL MRI to Positron Emission Tomography (PET/CT), which measures brain metabolism reflecting how well cells in a patient's brain are functioning. In addition, the investigators will assess the relationship of these measures to specific protein levels associated with Alzheimer's Disease in the patient's cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord) obtained by lumbar puncture. By comparing the information that is available from these procedures to the patient's performance on cognitive tests, the investigators hope to learn which procedures most accurately reflect and assist in determination of the potential causes of cognitive difficulties that arise with MCI, and thus, which are most useful in the clinical setting. In particular, PET scans have been found to be very useful in diagnosis of 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.

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Key information

Conditions

Mild Cognitive Impairment Alzheimer Disease Alzheimer's Disease Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Cognition Disorders Cognitive Dysfunction Dementia Mental Disorders Nervous System Diseases Neurocognitive Disorders Neurodegenerative Diseases Tauopathies

Age range

55 year–89 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Penn Memory Center

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Males and females between the ages of 55 and 89.
  • Fluent in English
  • Part of the longitudinal cohort of the PMC/ADCC (must already be or agree to become a part of the Penn Memory Center cohort so baseline neuropsychological testing is available before study participation begins)
  • Adequate visual and auditory acuity to allow for neuropsychological testing
  • Women: post-menopausal or surgically sterile
  • Willing and able to complete all required study procedures
  • Completed 6 grades of education
  • Geriatric Depression scale less than 6 (assessed within 3 months)

PATIENTS ONLY:

  • Diagnosis of MCI
  • MMSE between 24 and 30
  • Has a study partner

Exclusion criteria

  • Any contraindication to MRI (i.e. presence of pacemaker, ferrous metal in the eye, severe claustrophobia that would preclude subject from completing the MRI, etc.).
  • Major depression, bipolar disorder, history of schizophrenia
  • History of substance abuse or dependence within the past 2 years.
  • Any medical or neurological condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would compromise the subject's safety, successful participation in, or integrity of the study.
  • Pregnancy
  • Recent history of poorly controlled diabetes (e.g. multiple blood glucose reports of ≥ 180 mg/dl.)
  • Currently receiving medical or drug treatment contraindicating protocol participation e.g. anticoagulants such as Coumadin/Warfarin

Treatment and study plan

FDG-PET

Drug

Diagnostic: FDG-PET imaging to examine neuronal health

Other names: fluorodeoxyglucose

ASL-MRI

Other

Arterial-Spin Labeled MRI to examine cerebral blood flow

Other names: Arterial Spin Labeling

Lumbar Puncture

Procedure

Lumbar puncture to acquire a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid for protein level analyses. Note that this will not be required in all participants.

Other names: Spinal Tap

Primary outcomes

  1. Composite region of interest (ROI) measure of cerebral blood flow (CBF) measured by ASL MRI versus composite ROI measure of cerebral metabolism measured by FDG PET

    Time frame: 2 weeks

    Our primary aim is to determine if the diagnostic accuracy of 'state-of-the art' Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) MRI is as good as (i.e., noninferior to) the diagnostic accuracy of FDG-PET/CT in comparison of MCI patients to cognitively normal adults. To test if ASL in noninferior to FDG-PET, we will use an asymptotic z test statistic for equivalent studies described in an equation of Zhou et al. (2002). The test statistic compares the AUCs from ASL and FDG-PET/CT by appropriately accounting for the correlation between them.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Prediction of longitudinal change in hippocampal volume

    Time frame: 1 year

    Investigators will compare ASL MRI versus FDG PET in their ability to predict disease progression based on change in hippocampal volume. Investigators will define patients as 'progressors' if they display an atrophy rate greater than one standard deviation above the mean rate for healthy controls. Investigators will again use the composite ROI for ASL sequences and FDG-PET data to determine the best single or combination of predictors of progression.

  2. Prediction of longitudinal change in clinical status (i.e. progression to Alzheimer's Disease)

    Time frame: 2 years

    Investigators will compare ASL MRI versus FDG PET in their ability to predict disease progression based on conversion to clinical Alzheimer's Disease. Investigators will determine which measure best predicts conversion to clinical Alzheimer's Disease.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Pennsylvania

Other

Collaborators

  • National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Registry information

Official study title

Optimized Arterial Spin Labeling MRI for Cognitive Decline

Important dates

Study start
2012
Primary completion
2018
Study completion
2018
First posted
Nov 16, 2012
Registry last updated
Sep 28, 2020

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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