Overview
This prospective study aims:
- to compare cognitive performance in different clinical groups of participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia [Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Vascular Cognitive Impairment (VCI) and Fronto-temporal Dementia (FTD)] to determine whether scores reveal differential profiles between the groups,
- to demonstrate differences in imaging markers between different dementia syndromes and healthy volunteers using ultra high-field MRI at 7T.
Description
The imaging arm of the study include:
- to demonstrate differences in brain iron levels between different dementia syndromes and healthy volunteers using ultra high-field MRI, quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) at 7T.
- to demonstrate variations in the resting oxygen usage as an important biomarker to discriminate between different dementia syndromes.
- to demonstrate cerebral blood flow changes in the brain, particularly in the hippocampus region, and its correlation with different dementia syndromes using Arterial Spin Labelling MRI technique.
- to demonstrate increased blood brain barrier leakage in the brain, particularly in the hippocampus region, and its correlation with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Vascular Cognitive Impairment (VCI) using a new dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) technique.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Ability to give informed consent.
- Either pathological, genetic or imaging biomarker evidence to suggest Fronto-temporal Lobar Degeneration, Alzheimer's Disease or Vascular Cognitive Impairment, or defined clinical diagnoses.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Lack of mental capacity to consent to study involvement.
- Not speaking English before age 5 years.
- Learning disability.
- MRI contraindications