prodromale fase van de ziekte van Alzheimer / preklinische fase Alzheimer's disease
Conditions
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
Universiteit Maastricht
Eligibility
Age
18 Years to 99 Years
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: For the patients: - diagnosis of prodromal Alzheimer's disease based on the latest research criteria - Clinical Dementia Rating score of 0.5 - Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 23 and being mentally competent - Age: between 60 and 85 years old - 50% female - Right-handedness - Average level of education (CBS level 3-4-5-6) - Informed consent before participation in the study;For the healthy older individuals: - Average neuropsychological test results - No substantial memory complaints (according to the participant) - Age: between 60 and 85 years old - 50% female - Right-handedness - Average level of education (CBS level 3-4-5-6) - Informed consent before participation in the study
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: - Strong reduced vision - Psychoactive medication use - Abuse of alcohol and drugs - Cognitive impairment due to alcohol/drug abuse or abuse of other substances - Past or present psychiatric or neurological disorders (major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder (or treatment for it), epilepsy, stroke, Parkinson*s disease, multiple sclerosis, brain surgery, brain trauma, electroshock therapy, kidney dialysis, Menière*s disease, brain infections) - Major vascular disorders (e.g. stroke) - Heart diseases or pacemakers - Contraindications for scanning (e.g. brain surgery, cardiac pacemaker, metal implants, claustrophobia, body tattoos)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| The main outcome measures are performance on the MRI-task (mean reaction time and accuracy), the Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) response, reflecting brain activity during the functional task., episodic memory performance and noradrenalin levels. We will investigate i) how the locus coeruleus interacts with other brains areas during memory performance and how this is different in Alzheimer's disease patients compared to healthy older individuals; ii) how noradrenalin levels change during memory performance and how they interact with brain functioning; and iii) which parts of the memory-related brain networks are influenced by applying transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation once, and whether this might be different for Alzheimer's disease patients whose brain functioning is compromised. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Our secondary objectives pertain to the anatomical properties of the locus coeruleus. The outcome variables are: grey matter volume and shape properties and their correlation to neuropsychological performance. The associated research questions are 1. Is there a difference in grey matter volume and shape properties of the locus coeruleus across the two groups? 2. Do morphological group differences relate to neuropsychological performance? | — |
Countries
Netherlands
Outcome results
None listed