Narcolepsy EEG-fMRI Version 2.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating functional changes in brain states using simultaneous EEG and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in adults with narcolepsy during wake to sleep transitions.
IRAS ID
137621
Contact name
David Edwards
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Research summary
We are studying what happens to activity in the brain when falling asleep using 2 non-invasive techniques; Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and Electroencephalography (EEG). Using these techniques, we are hoping to learn how brain activity during this key period may be different in people who suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness (a condition called narcolepsy). In this small feasibility study, we will collect data from two small groups, one consisting of clinically stable narcolepsy patients, and another of healthy adult volunteers. The subjects will have an MRI scan with a simultaneous EEG recording, during which time they will be allowed to fall asleep inside the MRI scanner. The combination of the two techniques for studying narcolepsy is novel, but ideal for studying this condition as it will allow both the identification of the characteristic electrical activity (with EEG) and importantly also allow the location of the activity to be precisely mapped to specific regions of the brain(with fMRI). Although simultaneous recordings of fMRI and EEG in a sleeping subject poses several technical and experimental challenges, advances in hardware and sophisticated software means that it is now easier to perform. This study is designed to optimise the techniques in a well defined group of subjects, thereby providing validation and potentially important observational data.
REC name
London - Brent Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/1392
Date of REC Opinion
6 Nov 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion