Parkinson Disease, Progression, Disease
Conditions
Brief summary
Prospective observational study to qualify NM-MRI as progression marker in early Parkinson's.
Detailed description
Parkinson's is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder with progressive, disabling motor and non- motor symptoms for which effective symptomatic, but non disease-modifying treatment is available. Neuromelanin- containing neurons in the substantia nigra undergo neurodegeneration during Parkinson's disease. There is considerable heterogeneity in the progression of cell loss and clinical symptoms with major research interest in identifying prognostic subtypes. A non-invasive biomarker that can track the loss of the neuromelanin-containing neurons would be highly desirable to (i) study subtype-specific trajectories of SN depigmentation, (ii) track disease progression in early Parkinson's to assist in stratifying groups and outcome assessment in clinical intervention trials, and (iii) enable patients and their families to better manage their condition including informed forward planning. Neuromelanin MRI (NM-MRI) is a new approach sensitive to the neuromelanin-iron complex, with proven association with the tissue changes of the number of the neuromelanin-containing neurons. Its diagnostic value was established in several studies case-control, but there is a lack of standardisation, multi-centre studies and prospective diagnostic trials. To date only a small, single arm retrospective study reported serial NM loss in Parkinson's. Building on our previous work, the proposed research entails the development of an early progression biomarker for Parkinson's disease that is pathologically relevant, non-invasive, and uses MRI which is a widely available imaging method for detection. The experimental approach combines advanced computational imaging, retrospective use and extension of existing cohorts with a new dedicated prospective serial study using NM-MRI in uncertain parkinsonism, de novo and early Parkinson and healthy controls using latest MRI technology.
Interventions
DIAGNOSTIC_TESTMRI
The clinical examination includes a short physical exam, a brief history of allergies, previous diseases and medications, and disease-related questionnaires. All the participants will undergo 4 serial MRI scans: one MRI scan at the baseline visit, 6, 12, 18 months follow-up visit, respectively to record the changes in the brain, which include the neuromelanin scan. For future proving the value of our study, we will also collect and store blood samples at the initial visit.
Sponsors
University of Nottingham
Study design
Observational model
CASE_CONTROL
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 90 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
-Inclusion criteria for patients: * For Parkinson's patients and early-onset Parkinson's: 1. Diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, based on UK Brain Bank criteria and made within the preceding 3 years ('recent onset cases'); or 2. diagnosed at under 50 years ('under 50 years cases') * For clinical symptoms suspicious for a diagnosis of PD but clinical uncertainty with regard to a definite diagnosis: 1. clinical symptoms not meeting all of the required UK Brain Bank diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of PD; or 2. clinical features not typically associated with PD and therefore raising the possibility of a different type disorder/movement disorder referred for a DaTSCAN as part of the National Health Service (NHS) clinical diagnostic work-up to investigate a suspicion for a parkinsonian movement disorder-type disease, or referred for a research DaTSCAN as part of existing N3iPD and PaMIR studies for the diagnostic work-up to investigate a suspicion for a parkinsonian movement disorder-type disease. * Age ≥18 to \<90years * Being able and willing to provide informed consent Inclusion criteria for healthy controls: * Age ≥18 to \<90years * Being able and willing to provide informed consent
Exclusion criteria
*
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Neuromelanin signal in PD | 6 months | The primary outcome measure of this study is the neuromelanin-related signal on dedicated 3T MRI. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Depigmentation rates | 2 years | * differences in depigmentation rates between Parkinson's and controls in extended retrospective cohorts (discovery) * to assess whether earlier depigmentation rates can predict longer term clinical change based on commonly used outcome markers in clinical trials |
Countries
United Kingdom
Contacts
Primary ContactYue (Lily) Xing, PhD
Backup ContactDorothee Auer, MD PhD
Outcome results
None listed