Amyloid and cognition after TIA and stroke
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Correlation between cerebral amyloid and cognition in subjects with TIA and Stroke in the Oxford Vascular Study
IRAS ID
131886
Contact name
Peter Rothwell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford
Research summary
A history of stroke is associated with an increased risk of problems with thinking and memory but the reasons for this are unclear. It is likely that brain nerve cell loss from Alzheimer-type changes as well as the stroke damage itself are important. Stroke damage can be seen using MRI brain scans but visualisation of Alzheimer-type changes requires PET scanning using a marker, flutemetamol, that binds to a brain protein called amyloid. Levels of brain amyloid are increased in Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment but there are few studies in patients with stroke. Quantifying brain amyloid in patients with strokes or mini-strokes (transient ischaemic attacks-TIAs) might enable a better understanding of the mechanisms of dementia occurring after stroke. Specifically, we will determine whether pattern of amyloid deposition is associated with particular problems with thinking and memory and whether it predicts increased risk of cognitive decline. This would allow better targeting of treatment in the future and selection of patients for inclusion in clinical trials of treatments to reduce cognitive decline.
Patients for the proposed study would be recruited in Oxford from the established ongoing Oxford Vascular Study (OXVASC-commenced 2002), an internationally recognised study of all acute events involving the arteries (TIA, stroke, heart attack and the major blood vessels) in 91,000 Oxfordshire residents. OXVASC has made major contributions to the management of patients with TIA and stroke being instrumental in changing national and international guidelines. Between 1 and 6 months after their TIA or stroke, patients will undergo a PET/CT brain scan involving intravenous injection of a radiolabelled amyloid marker, flutemetamol and a separate assessment of thinking and memory lasting about an hour on a different day. The study has ongoing funding from the NIHR, MRC, Wellcome Trust and the Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre.
REC name
South Central - Oxford B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/SC/0003
Date of REC Opinion
27 Feb 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion