Alzheimer Disease
Conditions
Brief summary
This study involves imaging participants' brains using MRI. The goal is to develop a high-resolution, high-sensitivity imaging tool, hyperpolarized xenon functional brain magnetic resonance imaging, which can provide more sensitive measurement of brain function, facilitating the development of drugs for more successful treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Detailed description
The described study is a pilot study in which the investigators aim to develop an enhanced sensitivity tool for assessment of neural function. Participation involves at least two study visits no longer than three hours in length each. During visit 1, informed consent and screening for eligibility will take place. During visit 2, fMRI scanning will take place in which participants will complete simple tasks. Two types of MRI scans will be performed: traditional proton fMRI and hyperpolarized xenon-129 fMRI (HP 129Xe fMRI) scans. The trade name for xenon-129 hyperpolarized with a Xemed LLC polarizer is NeuroXene. Participants will be placed in the 3T MRI at the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute with a Clinical MR Solutions (CMRS) Dual Brain Coil that fits over their head like a helmet. Several inhalation procedures will be performed by participants when breathing NeuroXene from a tube in the scanner. Preparation and administration of NeuroXene and the CMRS Dual Brain Coil will be carried out according to the SOP's developed by the TBRRI and Xemed LLC. MRI scanning will be performed with a MR Tech and Registered Respiratory Therapist present. Dispensing of 129Xe will be monitored using a gas dispensing form and a drug accountability log. This study will have a monitor assigned to it from the TBRRI that is not involved in this clinical trial. This is to ensure participant safety and adherence to the protocol.
Interventions
OTHERTraditional Proton fMRI
Conventional proton fMRI will be performed. During the functional imaging acquisitions, the participant will be asked by the research team to perform simple tasks. These tasks will be completed while the participant breathes air (normal breathing).
OTHERHyperpolarized Xenon-129 fMRI
HP 129Xe fMRI data will be acquired from all participants. Hyperpolarized xenon (NeuroXene) is expected to produce images that provide more clinically relevant information than traditional proton scans. Simple tasks will be performed by participants while breathing NeuroXene according to several inhalation procedures.
Participants will be asked to inhale specified amounts of NeuroXene according to several inhalation procedures. NeuroXene is the trade name for hyperpolarization of xenon-129 balanced with oxygen and nitrogen using a Xemed LLC polarizer. Hyperpolarization does not change the chemical or physical properties of xenon gas.
DEVICE1H-129Xe Dual-Tuned Quadrature Head Coil
A 1H-129Xe dual-tuned quadrature head coil (Clinical MR Solutions, LLC) will be used in this study. The RF coil will be used to acquire MRI images of the human brain after inhalation of hyperpolarized xenon-129 gas, and permits the acquisition of both conventional proton and HP xenon gas images.
Sponsors
Lakehead University
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 85 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
A participant is eligible for inclusion in the study if the individual meets all of the following criteria: 1. Self-reported proficiency in English language. 2. Equal to or more than 8 years of education. 3. Normal or corrected to normal vision. 4. Able to provide informed consent. 5. Able to hold their breath for 20 seconds. Normal cognition for healthy participant group inclusion criteria: 1. Preserved independence in functional abilities. 2. MoCA score no less than 26. 3. Males and non-lactating females of 18 to 85 years of age. Alzheimer's disease group inclusion criteria: 1. Participants meet National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association for probable or possible Alzheimer's Disease dementia. 2. MoCA score no less than 16. 3. Males and non-lactating females of 60 to 85 years of age. 4. Have a family member, close friend, or LAR that can be present for the informed consent process and study visits.
Exclusion criteria
A participant is ineligible for the study if the individual meets any of the following criteria: 1. Serious underlying medical condition, other, then the condition being investigated, which may affect cognitive function of the participant (in the opinion of the investigator): substance abuse, psychotic or depressive disorder, advanced or poorly controlled cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, renal, neurological disorders in which the patient has significant speech, visual, motor or cognitive deficit, seizure disorders, endocrine or infectious disease or active malignancy. 2. MRI incompatibility as determined by MR Technologist during MRI screening. 3. Self-identifies as claustrophobic. 4. Female exclusion only: Are or may be pregnant; Planning on becoming pregnant. 5. Is a student currently enrolled in a course at Lakehead University where the Principal Investigator (PI) is the instructor. 6. Is a student currently enrolled in a degree program at Lakehead University where the PI is their direct thesis supervisor. 7. Is currently an employee of the PI at the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute (TBRRI) and/or Lakehead University. Normal cognition group
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) | Three years | All scans will be optimized for the highest SNR possible; No aggregation of data |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| P-Value | Three years | To be calculated from a students paired t-test for signal change between healthy participant scans and participants with Alzheimer disease |
Countries
Canada
Outcome results
None listed