PREVENT Study
At what time points do we do 1) an MRI, 2) blood work, and 3) cognitive testing?
All 3 are done at BL, 1 yr, 3 yr, and 5 yr timepoints
What does MRI Stand for?
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Generally, cognitive test results improve with age in our sample population.
False.
Age causes some natural decreases in cognitive performance.
Dementia is defined as a progressive loss of _____, resulting in brain atrophy.
Neurons.
True or False: The magnet is turned off over the weekend to save energy and money
FALSE
The magnet is ALWAYS on! It costs more money to power the machine on/off (due to hydrogen).
Describe the basic purpose of PREVENT
BONUS: How are we trying to accomplish this aim?
To help doctors diagnose dementia sooner.
BONUS: identify biomarkers (signals) that can identify the development of dementia (brain atrophy) before cognitive symptoms arise.
The strength of the magnet is measured in a unit called ____. BONUS: what is the strength of the MRI machine you toured?
Tesla.
BONUS: 3T
Can you diagnose dementia using only a cognitive test?
BONUS: the purpose of using a cognitive battery (several chosen assessments together.
No.
Careful combination of assessments can reveal patterns of performance associated with neurological or neuropsychiatric conditions
What is a TIA?
BONUS: Why do we include TIA patients in a dementia study?
Transient ischemic attack. Mini Stroke
Temporary blockage of blood flow in the brain
BONUS: TIA patients are at an increased risk for developing dementia and thus we hope to signals easier in this population.
Unlike CT and X-ray that use radiation to take images, what is used for MRI images?
Magnetic fields
Josie is a healthy control participant who you have called to book in for her 3 year follow up appointment. She informs you that she is worried about her memory over the last 6 months and she would like to have her MRI and Cognitive results shared with her doctor. How do you respond?
a) collect the information for her family doctor and have the results securely faxed over
b) inform Josie that unfortunately the general results are not shared with participants or their doctors
c) Tell Josie that you are sure her memory is fine since she is a healthy control and not to worry.
d) Send Josie an email with all of her results
b
results are NOT shared with participants unless their is a clinically relevant result found.
What molecule allows MRI images to be taken of the body?
Water (specifically the Hydrogen atoms)
True or False: Cognitive domains exist as a hierarchy.
TRUE. Certain domains can exert influence/control over more basic domains. (executive functioning and sensory/processing)
True or False: Using an MRI, you can tell if someone has had a TIA, even months after it has occurred
False
Transient symptoms
MRI with 10 days for study
You have been called to speak with participant X about joining the study. Use the following information to decide if they would be a good fit:
- 67 year old male
- TIA 17 days ago
- no other neurological conditions
- eyebrow piercing
- fluent in English and French
- willing to return for multiple visits
- claustrophobic but has had an MRI previously with sedation
Ineligible: the patient must have MRI within 14 days of their TIA
List 2 possible risks to having an MRI
Various answers
list 4 factors you should take into consideration when trying to compare the results of the cognitive tests across participants
variable answers
provide 2 example of modifiable risk factors and 2 examples of non-modifiable risk factors.
Various answers
Why is the research we do in PREVENT even important?
with adults living longer we are seeing aging diseases increase. prevalence of dementia is expected to double in the next 20 years, and recent treatment trials in established dementia is failing.
Burden on the healthcare system
List the general steps one should take to ensure their participant is ready to have an MRI?
put in ear plugs
Name 3 cognitive domains AND an example of a test that measures them
variable answers
explain the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease is a TYPE of Dementia