Brain Insulin Resistance in Mild Cognitive Impairment

Launched by TURKU UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL · Oct 30, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the role of insulin resistance in the brain of individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and early Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Researchers want to understand if people with MCI experience changes in how their brains use glucose (a type of sugar) when insulin levels are increased. They believe that insulin resistance in the brain may be linked to the development of Alzheimer's. To do this, they will compare brain glucose uptake in 20 participants with MCI or early AD to healthy individuals, using advanced imaging techniques.

To participate in this study, individuals must be aged 55 to 80 and have a diagnosis of MCI due to Alzheimer's or early Alzheimer's Disease. They cannot have diabetes, be overweight, or have certain other medical conditions. Participants will undergo a series of tests, including brain scans and cognitive assessments, to help researchers gather important information about changes in the brain before Alzheimer's becomes more severe. This research could lead to new treatments that may help slow down or change the course of Alzheimer's Disease in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• Inclusion criteria for MCI/early AD -patients for the present study are:
• • diagnosis of MCI due to AD or early AD based on a neurologist's or a geriatrician's clinical examination and/ or cognitive testing showing either a decline during at least a 6 month follow-up or a slight decline in episodic memory
• • clinical dementia rating (CDR) = 0,5, based on an interview with the patient's spouse or close relative
• • age 55 to 80 years
• * Inclusion criteria for the cognitively unimpaired group for the present study are:
• • no subjective cognitive complaints
• • consortium to establish a registry for Alzheimer´s Disease (CERAD) test battery at screening visit within the normal range
• • clinical dementia rating (CDR) = 0, based on an interview with the study volunteer´s spouse or close relative
• • age 55 to 80 years
• Exclusion Criteria:
• Exclusion criteria for both groups are:
• • diabetes (type 1 or type 2)
• • overweight or obesity (BMI \> 26 kg/m2)
• • BMI \< 18 kg/m2
• • impaired fasting glucose of impaired glucose tolerance in the 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test, performed at the screening visit
• • other major neurological disease than MCI (such as a major stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease). Volunteers with minor neurological diseases such as migraine and a previous transient ischemic attack (TIA) can participate
• • major psychiatric illness such as schitzophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depression
• • conditions that affect the ability to participate in PET or MRI scanning (cancer diagnosis/ treatment within the last five years, claustrophobia, metal object in the body)
• Exclusion criteria for the MCI/early AD patients only are:
• • • amyloid negative PET scan (during the study or performed previously in the clinic or normal beta-amyloid42 or beta-amyloid42/40 ratio in CSF (measured previously in the clinic) (to exclude patients with cognitive decline due to some other pathological process than AD)