Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Decline of Aging Aviator Performance

Age-related Cognitive Decline Clinical Trial

Official title:

MRI and Decline of Aging Aviator Performance

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT01120860
• Other study ID #: TAYRNW0001/TAY0002
• Secondary ID: 11097
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• First received: May 7, 2010
• Last updated: February 24, 2017
• Start date: November 2002
• Est. completion date: July 2011

Study information

• Verified date: February 2017
• Source: Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Observational

Clinical Trial Summary

The primary purpose of this study is to apply state-of-the-art Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging (MRSI) techniques to measure changes over time in the brain.

Description:

We expect that MRI and MRSI techniques will be a useful adjunct in research efforts to understand individual differences in performance of a complex attention-demanding task, such as flying a plane or driving a car. Other predictors of change in performance of a complex task may include simple tests of processing speed and working memory, past training and recent practice of the task, and genetic risk factors for degenerative brain disease. In this project, we will examine whether baseline MR measures are as useful as longitudinal MR measures in predicting amount of change over time in task performance.

This research is part of a long-term effort to achieve earlier identification of individuals at risk of decline and ultimately minimize loss of function.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 67
• Est. completion date: July 2011
• Est. primary completion date: July 2011
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: All
• Age group: 45 Years to 100 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subjects will be included if they have participated in the protocol "Age-Related Longitudinal Changes in Aviator Performance" and agree to participate in this protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects will be excluded if they currently have a major neurological disease, unstable/untreated medical disease (such as untreated hypertension).

• In consideration of the magnetic fields in which subjects will be placed for the MR scanning, we will also exclude subjects who are unable to safely and comfortably complete the scanning session. This includes individuals who are wearing any metal prosthesis or who have cardiac pacemakers or any other nonremovable metal objects.

• Subjects reporting a history of severe claustrophobia or poorly controlled back pain will be excluded because it is unlikely they could comfortably remain still in the MRI scanner for the duration of the scan.

• In addition, subjects who do not fit in the apparatus will also be excluded.

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Age-related Cognitive Decline

Intervention

Device:
• MRI
MRI - routine imaging sequences, designed for anatomical quantification

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	VA Palo Alto Health Care System	Palo Alto	California

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	flight simulator performance summary score	z-score composite of executing ATC communications, avoiding traffic, monitoring engine malfunctions, visual approach and landing	yearly for up to 6 years
Secondary	CogScreen-AE	computerized battery (assesses processing speed, executive function, paired assoc memory, n-back task, psychomotor tracking	yearly
Secondary	Salthouse processing speed measures	digit copy & pattern comparison	yearl