Alzheimer Disease, Mild Cognitive Impairment, Parkinson Disease
Conditions
Keywords
Autoimmune features, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Mild Cognitive Impairment
Brief summary
This study is being conducted to better understand the role of inflammation in Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). The investigators plan to recruit 30 PD, 30 AD/Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI), and 60 age matched healthy controls in this study to study the role of immune response in PD and AD. The study involves up to two study visits involving brief questionnaires and blood draw of up to 250cc (approximately 17 tablespoons) to be collected. More ways to participate, including 1) smaller amount blood donation (up to 100cc per visit for 1-2 visits); and 2) participation via tele-visit and mobile phlebotomy visits (blood donation up to 50cc, \ 5 tubes, by a certified mobile phlebotomist at home/location of choice) now available.
Detailed description
Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the misprocessing of specific proteins, but how and if this results in cell death is unknown. This study is being conducted to better understand the role of inflammation in Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Both AD and PD have long been known to feature prominent neuroinflammatory components. Preliminary studies have found autoimmune features in several patients including recognition of self-antigens by specific T cells. This study will test the hypothesis that AD and PD are associated with self-derived antigens (alpha-syn and tau protein) that become recognized by T cells during aging and disease. The overall aim is to identify antigenic responses associated with PD and AD. The specific aims include: 1. Identify the protein(s) or protein segments that may trigger inflammation 2. Identify the T cells (immune cells) that may recognize and kill brain cells (neurons and astrocytes) 3. Identify the genetic profile associated with this immune response (genetic analysis of the immune system)
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
Columbia University
Study design
Observational model
CASE_CONTROL
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
55 Years to 90 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
PD and age matched controls: For PD participants (n=30): Inclusion criteria: * Clinical diagnosed PD based on UK Brain Bank criteria for the clinical diagnosis of PD. And must demonstrate two of the following three, as modified from BioFIND criteria: rest tremor, rigidity, or bradykinesia, with dopaminergic medication benefit * Age at recruitment ≥ 55 * Age at motor onset \> 45 * PD onset age between 50-75 years * Willingness to have genotyping and genetic studies
Exclusion criteria
* Atypical features indicative of a Parkinson-Plus disorder (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD)) including cerebellar signs, supranuclear gaze palsy, apraxia and other cortical signs, or prominent autonomic failure, neuroleptic treatment at time of onset of parkinsonism, active treatment with a neuroleptic at time of study entry, history of repeated strokes with stepwise progression of parkinsonism, history of repeated head injury, history of definite encephalitis, prominent gait imbalance early in the course (\< 5 years) * History of Dementia * Recent history of cancer (past 3 years), except skin cancer * Autoimmune disease * Disease of the immune system (e.g. chronic leukemia, HIV) * On chronic immune-modulatory therapy (e.g. oral steroids, azathioprine, rituximab) * Inability to provide informed consent. For age-matched control participants (n=30): Inclusion criteria: * Ages ≥55 years old * With lack of PD in first-degree blood relatives * Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA): ≥26 * Willingness to have genotyping and genetic studies
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage of subjects with T-cell immune response | Week 1-2 | Blood samples from patients and controls will be processed. The presence of T cell response against the candidate antigens by patient blood-derived peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) will be assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISPOT) assay. |
Countries
United States
Contacts
CONTACTEllen Kanter
STUDY_CHAIRKaren Marder, MD, MPH
Columbia University
STUDY_CHAIRDavid Sulzer, PhD
Columbia University
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORJulian P Agin-Liebes, MD
Columbia University
Outcome results
None listed