Actively Recruiting
Integrating Metabolism, Connectivity, and Mesoscale Imaging at Ultra-high Field to Decipher Mechanisms of Resilience and Neurodegeneration in Neurological Diseases and Healthy Aging
Led by Assistance Publique Hopitaux De Marseille · Updated on 2025-10-01
700
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
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AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are investigating how the brain and spinal cord adapt and change in neurological diseases and healthy aging by using advanced brain and spinal imaging techniques. This study focuses on understanding how energy failure in neurons, measured by sodium levels, affects brain connectivity and structure. The study includes patients with various neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and others, as well as healthy adults, to compare changes in the central nervous system over time. Participants will undergo detailed brain and spinal cord imaging using multiple MRI methods at both high and ultra-high magnetic fields. These include sodium and phosphorus imaging alongside assessments of brain connectivity and structure. The study will observe participants at the start and again after 24 months to track changes. Various clinical assessments like neuropsychological tests and specific disease-related evaluations will accompany imaging to understand the impact on physical and cognitive functions. During the study, participants will have MRI scans, clinical assessments, and functional tests including motor and visual evaluations. Researchers will measure brain connectivity, sodium concentration, cortical thickness, and other metabolic and structural factors at baseline and after two years. The study aims to provide detailed data to help improve diagnosis and understanding of neurodegenerative diseases and healthy brain aging. Participation will last at least two years with follow-up assessments to monitor changes.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Integrating Metabolism, Connectivity, and Mesoscale Imaging at Ultra-high Field to Decipher Mechanisms of Resilience and Neurodegeneration in Neurological Diseases and Healthy Aging
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Female or male, aged 18 years or older
- No uncontrolled general diseases such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, liver failure, severe or untreated high blood pressure, or severe rhythm disorders
- No chronic psychiatric illnesses, including severe dementia
- No contraindications for MRI exams such as claustrophobia, metal foreign bodies, pacemakers, or severe kidney failure
- Must have social security coverage
- Must have read, understood, and signed the informed consent
- Specific disease criteria for each neurological condition apply, such as MS based on McDonald criteria, NMOSD based on Wingerchuk 2015, Alzheimer's meeting NINCDS-ADRDA criteria, etc.
You will not qualify if you...
- Pregnant women
- Unable or unwilling to provide informed consent due to mental or physical conditions
- Refusal to undergo brain MRI
- Contraindications for MRI exams such as claustrophobia, metal foreign bodies, pacemakers, or severe kidney failure
- Known allergy to Dotarem contrast agent for neuroinflammatory patients
- Severe renal insufficiency or other conditions preventing MRI scanning
- Chronic psychiatric conditions including severe dementia or cognitive dysfunction
- Adults under legal protection such as guardianship or curatorship
- Individuals deprived of liberty
- Neurological diseases such as ischemic accidents, brain trauma, or encephalitis
- Patients on treatments that interfere with the study protocol
- Allergy to contrast agent Dotarem for neuroinflammatory patients
- Unable or unwilling to adhere to the study protocol
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Baseline and 24 months (longitudinal follow-up)
Participants undergo advanced imaging procedures including MRI 3T & 7T, functional, structural, and metabolic imaging to assess brain and spinal cord characteristics.
2 visits (in-person) at baseline and 24 months
Duration - 24 months
Participants are monitored over 24 months to evaluate changes in nodal connectivity, sodium concentration, phosphorus metabolism, cortical thickness, and iron accumulation.
2 visits (in-person) at baseline and 24 months
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Chu Timone
Marseille, France
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
J
Jan-Patrick STELLMANN
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
10
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