Research projects

Structural and Functional MRI Studies and Accompanying Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL)

About

Status:

Ongoing

Principal investigator:

Country:

Germany

Study start:

2022-10

Completion (planned):

Not available

Last update:

2023-12-01

Research types:

Clinical research

Research areas:

Nervous system dysfunction, Cardiovascular system dysfunction

Interventions:

Arterial spin labelling (ASL) MRI, Functional MRI

Priv. Sector Partner:

Not available

Sponsors:

Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)

Links

Project website

Project description

Structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies, as part of the diagnostic platform within the National Clinical Study Group (NKSG).

The aim of the NKSG diagnostic platform is to identify diagnostic and prognostic markers of post-COVID syndrome (PCS) and ME/CFS in order to investigate treatment effects on imaging and vascular markers. The results of the diagnostic platform will improve the understanding of the disease and identify possible new treatment options. In addition to the therapeutic interventions in the respective NKSG clinical trials, patients part-taking in the NKSG hence receive state-of-the-art accompanying examinations. These include non-invasive analyses of the structure, function and blood flow of the brain MRI, accompanied by arterial spin labeling (ASL), examinations of vascular endothelial function using Endothelial Peripheral Arterial Tonometry (EndoPAT) and dynamic fundus vascular analysis (DVA), as well as measurement of retinal microcirculation using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A). The examinations take place before and after treatment interventions and thus enable the effect of specific treatments to be analysed in-depth. In addition to study-specific clinical parameters, objective measurements of brain structure and function, vascular endothelial function and retinal microcirculation are available. These data enable an additional assessment of the effectiveness and mechanisms of action as well as a comparison of the different therapeutic approaches.

The diagnostic platform also takes current research results into account: PCS is associated with reduced cognitive performance and fatigue, is accompanied by structural and functional changes in the brain and can lead to disorders the retinal and choroidal microcirculation. The results of the NKSG diagnostic platform can therefore help to establish standards for data collection for MRI (incl. ASL), OCT-A, DVA and EndoPAT, which will facilitate the future diagnosis of PCS and ME/CFS patients in everyday clinical practice and which may be used as endpoints in clinical trials.

(Description adapted from project website: see link above)

Patient cohort

Post-COVID Syndrome (PCS) according to WHO as well as post-infectious ME/CFS according to Canadian Consensus Criteria (CCC), including post-COVID ME/CFS. Comparisson of sham/placebo vs treated patients or responders vs non-responders along clinical trials with healthy recovered COVID-19 patients and controls.

Patients enrolled: Not available

Age group: ≥ 18 years (Adults)

Research areas

8

Research types

1

Research networks

1

Working groups

2

People

2

Publications

1

Organisations

3

Research areas

Nervous system dysfunction

Nervous system is the entire nerve apparatus, composed of a central part, the brain and spinal cord, and a peripheral part, the cranial and spinal nerves, autonomic ganglia, and plexuses. Diseases of the nervous system include diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system. This includes disorders of the brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves, peripheral nerves, nerve roots, autonomic ner...

Research projects:

A decrease in the flow of blood through or around an organ or region of the body, including the brain. Description adapted from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68012039 & https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68002560.

Research projects:

8

Publications:

7

Cardiovascular system dysfunction

The cardiovascular system includes the heart and the blood vessels by which blood is pumped and circulated throgh the body. Cardiovascular diseases describe pathological conditions involving the cardiovascular system, including the heart, blood vessels or the pericardium. Description adapted from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68002319...

Research projects:

Cerebral perfusion

Cerebrovascular circulation describes the circulation of blood through the blood vessels of the brain. Description adapted from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68002560.

Research projects:

6

Publications:

3

Cognitive dysfunction

Cognitive dysfunction pertains to diminished or impaired mental and/or intellectual function. Description adapted from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68060825.

Research projects:

4

Publications:

2

The part of the central nervous system that is contained within the skull. The developed brain consists of cerebrum, cerebellum, and others structures in the brain stem. Diseases of the of the central nervous system pertain to any component of the brain (including the cerebral hemispheres, diencephalon, brain stem, and cerebellum) or the spinal cord. Description adapted from:

Research projects:

Central nervous system dysfunction

Diseases of any component of the brain (including the cerebral hemispheres, diencephalon, brain stem, andcerebellum) or the spinal cord. Description adapted from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68002493.

Research projects:

13

Publications:

4

Non-invasive methods of visualising the central nervous system, especially the brain, by various imaging modalities. Description adapted from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68059906.

Research projects:

4

Publications:

1