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The Link Between Anemia and Deficits in Memory and Attention in Individuals With Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle-Cell Disease: Neuroimaging and Cognitive Decline

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT00451919
Enrollment
120
Registered
2007-03-26
Start date
2006-07-31
Completion date
2009-02-28
Last updated
2016-08-19

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Sickle Cell Disease

Keywords

MRI, Neuropsychology

Brief summary

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects red blood cells (RBCs). People with sickle cell disease frequently experience anemia, or a low number of RBCs. RBCs are responsible for carrying oxygen to the brain and other body tissues that need oxygen to function properly. The purpose of this study is to determine what changes, which were possibly caused by anemia, exist in the brains of individuals with sickle cell disease.

Detailed description

The role of RBCs is to carry oxygen from the lungs to the brain and other body tissues. Individuals with anemia have unusually low numbers of RBCs. They also often have difficulty concentrating and remembering information, which is likely caused by a reduced oxygen supply to the brain. Previous research has shown that correcting anemia in patients without sickle cell disease improved their memory and attention. The purpose of this study is to examine any abnormal changes in the brains of individuals with sickle cell disease and to determine whether these changes are related to reduced memory and attention capabilities. Participants will attend one study visit. During this visit, a brain magnetic resonance image (MRI) will be performed while participants complete neuropsychological tests that measure memory, attention, and organizational ability. There will be no follow-up visits. The study completion date listed in this record was obtained from the End Date entered in the Protocol Registration and Results System (PRS) record.

Interventions

None listed

Sponsors

University of California, San Francisco
CollaboratorOTHER
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Lead SponsorNIH

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
21 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Diagnosis of sickle cell disease

Exclusion criteria

* Pregnancy * Claustrophobia * Mass lesion (e.g., meningioma, cyst, or spinal block) * Need for life support constant monitoring * Any unstable condition that is likely to require resuscitation * Presence of a pacemaker or other iron-containing magnetic substances in the body

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026