Project details

Summary

What is the study about?

As our population ages, there are increasing numbers of people living with memory and cognitive problems and dementia. These problems are caused by different changes in the brain that affect people with cognitive problems in different ways. Medical imaging methods such as MRI are already used to help diagnose cognitive problems and dementia, but the MRI techniques commonly used in hospitals only show changes at a late stage in the disease.

What are you trying to find out?

Our aim in this project is to test new imaging techniques that could tell doctors early on that someone is more likely to go on to develop more serious problems like dementia and what type of dementia they will have.

We will test whether a combination of scanning and blood tests could make better predictions about cognitive change in the future. This could help with deciding what the best treatment will be. We are also trying to make the scans as short as possible so they are better for patients and can be run easily on busy hospital scanners.

What does taking part involve?

Researchers want to determine whether a single package of tests consisting of 

1. A blood sample
2. A pen-and-paper test
3. A 30-45 minute MRI brain scan

...can be used to predict further decline in cognition.

Participants will have a short pen-and-paper test every 6 months for 2 years to see whether their memory or thinking problems progress or stay stable. They may be offered a further brain scan and blood tests at a later date.

More information is available in the Key Documents at the top of this page. 

Who is it for?

The study will recruit people who are over 50 years of age and have a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment, also known as MCI.

We are hoping to recruit 100 people to participate in the All-in-One Study.

As part of the All-in-One study, we will need you to bring along a trusted friend or relative to each study visit (apart from Visit 2, the MRI scan, although they are welcome to join you if you wish). This person will be there to support you during the study but also to provide valuable information about how well you are able to complete everyday activities. We recommend that you nominate one individual who knows you well to accompany you to each visit. This could be a friend, neighbour, relative or anyone else who knows you well and doesn’t have any problems with their own memory.

Why is it important? 

There is the possibility you will find out earlier and more definitively whether or not your brain is showing signs of underlying Alzheimer’s Disease or another disease that can cause dementia.

The information we gain from the study will help us to develop better imaging techniques for diagnosing the causes of dementia at an earlier stage than we currently can.

How can I find out more?

You can find out more information about taking part in this study by downloading the key documents at the top of this page.

If you are interested in taking part in this study, or have questions for the research team, click the button below to email us:

Email the research team