Multi-nuclear MRI investigation of Respiratory Disease - MURDOCH
Research type
Research Study
Full title
MUlti-nuclear MR imaging investigation of Respiratory Disease-associated CHanges in lung physiology (MURDOCH)
IRAS ID
265997
Contact name
Jim Wild
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
8 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Lung magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with inhaled inert gases has a demonstrated ability to provide valuable structural and functional information in lung disease. Advances in lung MRI methods have led to our department handling clinical imaging referrals from local and national respiratory units. Hyperpolarised Xenon-129 gas MRI is now the gold-standard imaging method used in clinical practice for asthma and COPD in Sheffield. \n\nIn an ongoing study (MICHAL - REC ref 17/LO/0725) we are using these techniques to study changes in physiology in healthy volunteers, particularly in relation to age, smoking and environmental pollutants. Identifying whether micro-structural and physiological changes are present in the absence of obvious disease or symptoms has foreseeable advantages in future research, such as detecting sub-clinical changes in the lung at an early stage of disease and defining ‘at risk populations’.\n\nIn this new study we will use MR imaging with two types of inhaled, inert gas to obtain physiological, structural, and functional information about patients with known respiratory disease, namely asthma and COPD. Up to 20 patients with asthma and up to 20 patients with COPD will be recruited. Study visits will involve lung function tests and imaging using proton MRI, hyperpolarised xenon gas MRI, and perfluoropropane MRI. After initial baseline assessments, patients will be followed up after 3 and 6 years to investigate the utility of MRI and lung function measurements in tracking disease progression over time. [COVID-19 amendment 04/06/2020 In this sub-study we will use nationally unique lung and pulmonary vascular MR imaging methods to investigate the pathophysiology of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and the resulting changes seen in vivo in the lung, pulmonary\nvasculature and heart of patients with COVID-19. In addition, during the COVID-19 pandemic we will also be using MR Imaging to study the long term effects of this novel disease.
REC name
London - Hampstead Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/1115
Date of REC Opinion
29 Jul 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion