Multimodal Imaging in the Study of Disorientation in the Hospital

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to investigate whether markers of brain structure and function from MRI are associated with different levels of spatial orientation and gait parameters in people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia due to Alzheimer's disease when walking through a real world environment.

Detailed Description
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This is an experimental cross-sectional study which primarily aims at identifying characteristic features of spatial disorientation among people with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. The features of interest are motion and physiological related changes that occur during instances of spatial disorientation, which will be derived from wearable sensors. Additionally, brain structure and functional connectivity changes associated with different levels of spatial orientation and gait parameters will also be investigated through resting-state functional imaging.

Official Title
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Multimodal Imaging in Alzheimer's Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases

Conditions
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Dementia, Mild Cognitive Impairment, Disorientation, Older Adults, Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 50 years and above Mini mental state examination (MMSE) ≥ 12 < 28 points for experimental group Mini mental state examination (MMSE) ≥ 28 points for control group Sufficient knowledge of German to understand participant information, declaration of consent and questionnaires Dated and signed declaration of consent Sufficient mobility and motivation to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: Less than 50 years Significantly impaired vision or hearing Severely reduced mobility: cannot move around independently (even with aids)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 50 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Control<br>Neurologically healthy older adults above the age of 50 | |
| Experimental<br>Older adults above the age of 50 with Mild Cognitive Impairment or Dementia | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Spatial disorientation | Incidences of disorientation will be annotated in real-time using a customized annotation scheme in the pocket observer software | Up to 3 years from start of the study | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Heart rate variability | Rate of change in heart rate will be measured using a wearable Photoplethysmography sensor | Up to 3 years from start of the study | 
| Skin conductance | Rate of change in electrodermal response will be measured using a wearable electrodermal activity sensor | Up to 3 years from start of the study | 
| Accelerometry | Incidences of change in movement behaviour and activity level will be measured using accelerometers | Up to 3 years from start of the study | 
| Grey matter volume | Rate of change in brain structural volume will be measured using a 3-Tesla scanner | Up to 3 years from start of the study | 
| White matter integrity | Rate of change in structural connectivity of brain white matter will be measured using a 3-Tesla scanner | Up to 3 years from start of the study | 
| Resting-state functional connectivity | Rate of change in functional connectivity of resting-state brain networks will be measured using a 3-Tesla scanner | Up to 3 years from start of the study | 
| Interview responses | Participants assessments of their sense of orientation are obtained using a structured interview. | Up to 3 years from start of the study |