Imaging Neuromelanin in Dementia with Lewy bodies
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Neuroimaging of Neuromelanin in dementia with Lewy bodies
IRAS ID
328067
Contact name
Foo Keat Mak
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a common form of dementia, affecting over 100,000 individuals in the UK. Despite being the second most prevalent type of degenerative dementia in older people, reliable methods for early diagnosis, monitoring disease progression, and assessing treatment efficacy remain elusive. Our study aims to address this gap by employing a novel brain imaging technique, Neuromelanin Magnetic Resonance Imaging (NM-MRI).
NM-MRI is a non-invasive method that allows us to investigate changes in the brain associated with DLB. It focuses on the degradation of brain cells containing a dark pigment called neuromelanin, predominantly found in the substantia nigra and locus coeruleus, regions typically affected by DLB. Our goal is to determine if NM-MRI can detect early changes in these brain areas in DLB patients, potentially aiding in early diagnosis and improved monitoring of disease progression and treatment outcomes.
Recent studies in Parkinson's disease (PD) have shown a correlation between NM-MRI signals and the severity of motor and cognitive symptoms, as well as disease duration. However, the utility of NM-MRI in DLB remains unexplored. Our study will compare NM-MRI signals in the substantia nigra and locus coeruleus between 25 DLB patients and 25 healthy controls. We will also examine associations between NM-MRI signals and cognitive/motor symptoms and disease duration in DLB. Furthermore, we plan to longitudinally assess changes in NM-MRI signals over time and their relationship to cognitive decline
REC name
East of England - Essex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/EE/0052
Date of REC Opinion
17 Apr 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion