Pilot of a UK Remote Brain Health Clinic for patients with MCI v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
FEASIBILITY AND ACCEPTABILITY OF A UK BASED REMOTE BRAIN HEALTH CLINIC FOR PATIENTS WITH MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT (MCI)
IRAS ID
294633
Contact name
Dag Aarsland
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 2 months, 1 days
Research summary
In this project we aim to understand feasibility, acceptability and real-world evidence of a novel UK based remote brain health clinic for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). A timely and accurate diagnosis of dementia is a priority in the UK and MCI is indicative of future risk of cognitive decline. An accurate etiological diagnosis of MCI (MCI-subtyping - distinguishing those who are likely to go on to develop dementia and those who are not) is vital for treatment planning. Whilst the assessment of molecular biological markers (biomarkers) for etiological diagnosis of MCI and Alzheimer’s disease is increasingly recommended and employed internationally, the uptake is low in UK memory clinics. The Brain Health Clinic has been specifically designed as a state-of-the art diagnostic centre for those with MCI. Procedures will include a range of clinical and biomarker assessments, with molecular biomarkers based on lumbar puncture and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis. Additionally, the clinic will employ remote neuropsychiatric assessments using digital and telephonic methods. This allows for regular contact and assessment of participants, whilst adhering to changes in clinical practice and national guidance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our overarching objectives are to firstly establish the acceptability and feasibility of the remote brain health clinic and its novel clinical and biomarker assessment programme. Then secondly establish the impact of care under the Brain Health Clinic on: i) care management decisions (e.g. follow up and treatment planning); ii) time to etiological diagnosis of MCI (MCI-subtyping); and iii) time to diagnosis of dementia and severity of dementia at time of diagnosis.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/SC/0109
Date of REC Opinion
20 Apr 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion