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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03290040

Identification of Predictors for Early Cognitive Decline in Men

The research program explores how aging influences brain function in test-persons from a Danish birth cohort of men born in 1953.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy Test Persons Alzheimer Disease Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Cognition Disorders Cognitive Dysfunction Dementia Mental Disorders Mild Cognitive Impairment Nervous System Diseases Neurocognitive Disorders Neurodegenerative Diseases Tauopathies

Age range

60 year and older

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Dept. of Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine and PET, Rigshospitalet - Glostrup

Glostrup Municipality, 2600, Denmark

About this study

The research program explores how ageing influences brain function in healthy test-persons from a Danish birth cohort of men born in 1953 in the Metropolitan area of Copenhagen. These test-persons are divided into two groups based on performance in cognitive tests at late midlife compared to young adulthood; Positive expected performance and negative expected performance and sampled from a birth cohort of 11.532 men.

Additionally, persons diagnosed with either MCI or AD will be included from the Memory Clinic at Herlev Hospital.

Researchers aim to identify factors earlier in life that affects or predict changes in cognitive function, specifically of cognitive decline in order to predict healthy vs unhealthy cognitive ageing, including progression to possible dementia. The objective is to be able to predict cognitive decline in ageing.

During the years of data collection, approximately 550 participants will be included and examined.

The examinations include:

  • Cognitive test including Cambridge Neuropsychological test automated Battery (CANTAB);
  • Sleep
  • Life events
  • Depression questionnaire
  • Blood sample analysis including functional analyses of mitochondria and gene analyses such as genome scanning, SNP analysis
  • ApoE ε-type
  • Structural and functional changes in the brain measured with magnetic resonance (fMRI)
  • Electroencephalography (EEG) recordings of electrical activity and visual attention
  • PET-scan (Amyloid and FDG)

The results from these studies will hopefully point to new avenues for intervention in order to change the course of brain ageing

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Participants who have participated in the Metropolit study and the Copenhagen Aging and Midlife Biobank project
  • Participants who have been informed about the project and who have signed the informed consent form

Exclusion criteria

  • Persons who have been asked to participate in the past and have rejected
  • Reduced ability to understand project information
  • Reduced ability to complete the examinations
  • Abuse of alcohol, psychedelic drugs or habit-forming drugs
  • Certain neurological disorders
  • Certain neurological, mental or psychiatric diagnoses
  • Certain depressive diseases
  • Former traumatic brain injury
  • Contraindication for MR scanning
  • Pathological MR result
  • Persons that do not like to be informed about a possible pathological result

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. Gamma band EEG power during evoked potentials correlates to cognitive decline

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

    Visual and auditory evoked potentials are elicited in the brain using flickering visual stimuli and amplitude-modulated tones, respectively. The potentials are recorded through scalp electroencephalography (EEG), using a 64-channel EEG cap. A measure of cognitive decline is approximated using intelligence test scores collected at three distinct times in the lifespan of the subject, as well as other clinical cognitive tests sensitive to aging effects

  2. Alpha band EEG-power during evoked potentials correlates to cognitive decline

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

    Visual evoked potentials are elicited in the brain using flickering visual stimulus. The potentials are recorded through scalp electroencephalography (EEG), using a 64-channel EEG cap. A measure of cognitive decline is approximated using intelligence test scores collected at three distinct times in the lifespan of the subject, as well as other clinical cognitive tests sensitive to aging effects

  3. Examination of how visual attention effects cognitive deterioration.

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

    The accuracy of reporting shown isoluminant letters of the patient is compared to speed of processing (ms), IQ and short term memory function.

  4. Clarification of how processing speed (ms), short term memory and visual perceptive threshold effect cognitive capacity.

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

    Relating brain states to attentional functions by linking visual event-related potentials measured with EEG to specific attentional functions derived from behavioural testing

  5. Changes in mitochondrial respiration as predictor of cognitive impairment

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

  6. Microstructural parameters, derived from diffusion tensor imaging as predictor of cognitive impairment

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

  7. Correlation between basal ganglia volumes and structure and cognitive functions

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

    Cognitive composite scores are based on CANTAB as well as paper and pencil tests. Basal ganglia volumes are based on automatic segmentation procedures. Basal ganglia microstructure and iron content will be estimated using quantitative susceptibility imaging

  8. Correlation between patterns of brain perfusion and patterns of cognitive function

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

    Cognitive composite scores are based on CANTAB as well as paper and pencil tests. Brain perfusion will be measured with arterial spin labeling, and the analysis performed using multivariate techniques

  9. Correlation between Subjective sleep quality and patterns of cognitive function

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

    Cognitive functions are based on CANTAB as well as paper and pencil tests. Sleep quality is measured using the self-report questionnaire Pittsburgh Sleep quality Index (PSQI).

  10. Objective sleep measures: Sleep stages as determined by standard international scoring and quantitated measures using - spectral analysis from sleep EEG in relation to cognitive impairment

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

  11. Effects of demographic, social and health predictors on change in cognitive function from young adulthood to late midlife

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

    Cognitive composite score (based on CANTAB, paper- and pencil tests)

  12. Correlation between daytime sleepiness and patterns of cognitive function

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

    Cognitive functions are based on CANTAB as well as paper and pencil tests. Daytime sleepiness is measured using the Epworh Sleepiness Scale (ESS) questionnaire.

  13. FDG - PET

    Time frame: This examination will be performed in 2020-2021.

    FDG - PET scan uses a special radioactive glucose-analogue tracer which the body uptake similarly to normal glucose. This allows us to investigate how well an individual can uptake glucose in relevant brain areas and thereby how well they increase the metabolism and activity in these brain areas when stimulated.

    With this method, we can see how the brain is working and detect any abnormalities.

  14. PIB - PET

    Time frame: This examination will be performed in 2020-2021.

    PIB - PET scan uses special radioactive tracers that highlight amyloid protein plaques in the brain, which are a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. This scanning will allow us to see the distribution of Amyloid plaques in the cohort and to test for correlation with cognitive decline.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Gamma band EEG power distribution across the scalp during simultaneous auditory and visual stimulation correlates to cognitive decline

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

    Visual and auditory evoked potentials are elicited in the brain using a paradigm that presents a visual stimulus and an auditory stimulus simultaneously. The potentials are recorded through scalp electroencephalography (EEG), using a 64-channel EEG cap. A measure of cognitive decline is approximated using intelligence test scores collected at three distinct times in the lifespan of the subject

  2. Change of source location of gamma band EEG power of visual evoked potentials correlates to cognitive decline

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

    Visual evoked potentials are elicited in the brain using flickering visual stimulus. The potentials are recorded through scalp electroencephalography (EEG), using a 64-channel EEG cap. A measure of cognitive decline is approximated using intelligence test scores collected at three distinct times in the lifespan of the subject, as well as other clinical cognitive tests sensitive to aging effects

  3. The investigators would like to describe how visual attention correlates with the background EEG recorded before the examination.

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

    Linking functional effects of prestimulus alpha power measured by EEG to perception accuracy

  4. Change in levels of reactive oxygen species in PBMCs quantified by flow cytometry after application of dedicated fluorophores as predictor of cognitive impairment

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

  5. Change in levels of mitochondrial bioenergetics in PBMCs using the Seahorse XF24 extracellular flux analyser as predictor of cognitive impairment

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

  6. Change of levels of whole cell dNTP levels in PBMCs using polymerase extension assay and by quantification of tritiated nucleotides by scintillation counting as predictor of cognitive impairment

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

  7. Change of mutation frequency of mitochondrial DNA using deep sequencing as predictor of cognitive impairment

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

  8. Change of mtDNA copy number by qPCR as predictor of cognitive impairment

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

  9. Correlation between regional cortical thickness and cognitive parameters

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

    Cognitive composite scores are based on CANTAB as well as paper and pencil tests. Cortical thickness will be analysed using FreeSurfer or similar software, and the analysis performed using multivariate techniques

  10. Correlation between regional cortical surface and cognitive parameters

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

    Cognitive composite scores are based on CANTAB as well as paper and pencil tests. Cortical surface will be analysed using FreeSurfer or similar software, and the analysis performed using multivariate techniques

  11. Correlation between macrostructural parameters and candidate genes

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

    Macrostructural parameters will be derived from segmentation of T1-weighted images. The statistical analysis will consider macrostructural parameters as a possible mediator of common genetic variants upon cognition. Candidate genes will be selected due to their relation to 1) cardiovascular function and disease 2) oxidative stress, longevity and ageing and 3) memory and intelligence.

  12. Correlation between microstructural parameters and candidate genes

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

    Microstructural parameters will be derived from diffusion tensor imaging. The statistical analysis will consider microstructural parameters as a possible mediator of common genetic variants upon cognition. Candidate genes will be selected due to their relation to 1) cardiovascular function and disease 2) oxidative stress, longevity and ageing and 3) memory and intelligence.

  13. Correlation between macrostructural parameters and cognition

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

    Macrostructural parameters will be derived from segmentation of T1-weighted images. Cognitive composite scores are based on CANTAB as well as paper and pencil test.

  14. Correlation between microstructural parameters and cognition

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

    Microstructural parameters will be derived from diffusion tensor imaging. Cognitive composite scores are based on CANTAB as well as paper and pencil test.

  15. Correlation between cognition and candidate genes

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

    Cognitive composite scores are based on CANTAB as well as paper and pencil test.Candidate genes will be selected due to their relation to 1) cardiovascular function and disease 2) oxidative stress, longevity and ageing and 3) memory and intelligence.

  16. Correlation between sleep stages and microstructural parameters.

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

    Sleep stages will be determined by standard international scoring and quantitated measures using spectral analysis from sleep EEG. Microstructures will be measured with MRI.

  17. Correlation between sleep stages and regional volumes.

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

    Sleep stages will be determined by standard international scoring and quantitated measures using spectral analysis from sleep EEG. Regional volumes will be measured with MRI.

  18. Autonomic activity as measured by electrocardiography determined from the polysomnography during wakefulness and sleep in relation to cognitive impairment

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

  19. Presence of REM Sleep muscle activity (REM sleep without atonia (RSWA), REM Behavior disorder(RBD)) in relation to cognitive impairment

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

  20. Cognitive correlates of cognitive change

    Time frame: Participant is recruited and measured once at the examination day and reexamined every 5 year as long as the project is running and includes the measurement, expected up to 10 years

    Cognitive composite score (based on CANTAB, paper- and pencil tests)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Rigshospitalet, Denmark

Other

Collaborators

  • Herlev Hospital
  • University of Copenhagen

Registry information

Official study title

Identification of Predictors for Early Cognitive Decline: a Longitudinal Cohort Study in Men Born in 1953

Important dates

Study start
2015
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
Sep 21, 2017
Registry last updated
Nov 28, 2023

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

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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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