Locus-coeruleus Function in Normal Elderly and AD Risk — LEAD  

Alzheimer Disease Clinical Trial

Official title: Locus-coeruleus Function in Normal Elderly and AD Risk

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

Growing evidence suggests that Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathological changes begin decades before clinical symptoms and tau abnormalities in the locus coeruleus (LC) can be observed since midlife. We have previously demonstrated functional vulnerability of the LC to aging and stress, as well as an association between higher CSF tau and impaired sleep phenomena influenced by the LC. We now aim to test whether LC dysfunction can be measured in preclinical AD stages by LC targeted imaging, and whether it objectively affects sleep architecture and attention. We will test this hypothesis in 30 cognitively normal older adults by performing a full clinical evaluation, one night of polysomnography, a lumbar puncture to obtain cerebrospinal fluid, [11C]MRB PET-MR, and attention testing. This study has the potential to identify a new mechanism by which tau pathology contributes to sleep and attention dysfunction and may provide a new therapeutic target for AD prevention.

Clinical Trial Description

The purpose of this study is three-fold: to test whether lower NET availability in the LC is associated with: first, CSF tau levels typical of preclinical stages of AD (Aim 1); second, reduced REM and spindle density (Aim 2); and third, impaired performance on attention tasks (Aim 3). The goal is to test the overarching hypothesis that LC dysfunction occurs in preclinical AD stages, can be measured with MRB-PET, and translates into impairment of sleep architecture (LC tonic dysfunction) and attention (LC phasic dysfunction). ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Alzheimer Disease

• NCT number: NCT04403165
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: NYU Langone Health
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: August 6, 2020
• Completion date: March 26, 2024