The TearAD Study: Tear Biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) Screening and Diagnosis

NCT ID: NCT05655793

Last Updated: 2024-03-13

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Total Enrollment

200 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2022-06-09

Study Completion Date

2025-07-01

Brief Summary

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The goal of this observational longitudinal study is to investigates whether tear fluid is a non-invasive source of biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease. The main aim of the study is to evaluate diagnostic accuracy measures (sensitivity and specificity) of tear and retinal biomarkers to discriminate individuals with and without neurodegeneration.

Tear fluid from participants will be collected non-invasively with Schirmer's strips, which is a small paper strip placed in the lower eye lid for a maximum of 5 minutes. Additionally, standard, ultra-wide field and cross-sectional retinal images will be obtained.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Alzheimer Disease

Study Design

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Observational Model Type

COHORT

Study Time Perspective

PROSPECTIVE

Study Groups

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With Neurodegeneration

Includes patients with mild cognitive impairment and dementia

Tear Fluid collection (Schirmer's strip)

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Tear fluid will be collected non-invasively form all participants with the use of Schirmer's strips, which is a small paper strip placed in the lower eye lid for a maximum of 5 minutes.

Retinal imaging

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

The retina from all participants will be visualised with the use of a standard (Clarus 700 Zeiss), ultra-wide field (Optos), and cross-sectional (Optical Coherence Tomography) retinal images.

Without Neurodegeneration

Includes healthy controls and patients with subjective cognitive decline

Tear Fluid collection (Schirmer's strip)

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Tear fluid will be collected non-invasively form all participants with the use of Schirmer's strips, which is a small paper strip placed in the lower eye lid for a maximum of 5 minutes.

Retinal imaging

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

The retina from all participants will be visualised with the use of a standard (Clarus 700 Zeiss), ultra-wide field (Optos), and cross-sectional (Optical Coherence Tomography) retinal images.

Interventions

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Tear Fluid collection (Schirmer's strip)

Tear fluid will be collected non-invasively form all participants with the use of Schirmer's strips, which is a small paper strip placed in the lower eye lid for a maximum of 5 minutes.

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Retinal imaging

The retina from all participants will be visualised with the use of a standard (Clarus 700 Zeiss), ultra-wide field (Optos), and cross-sectional (Optical Coherence Tomography) retinal images.

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Available CSF, PET, CT or MRI data to evaluate the presence/absence of neurodegeneration (preferably within 1 year of inclusion in this study)
* Absence of cognitive complaints or treatment and did not seek help for cognitive complaints in the past
* MMSE score 26-30 at baseline
* Age \> 50 years
* Available for follow-up (up to 24 months)
* Written informed consent obtained and documented


* Available CSF, PET, CT or MRI data to evaluate the presence/absence of neurodegeneration (preferably within 1 year of inclusion in this study)
* Available for follow-up (up to 24 months)
* Written informed consent obtained and documented
* Capable of giving informed consent themselves (MMSE score \> 17/30)

Exclusion Criteria

* Ocular conditions that could influence tear biochemical parameters (including eye infection, eye inflammation, eye surgery within the last 28 days or other acute eye conditions)
* Neurological or systemic chronic conditions known to interfere with retinal thickness (e.g., glaucoma, diabetes mellitus)
* Ocular conditions interfering with optical coherence tomography (OCT) quality/retinal thickness: e.g. severe cataract, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma
Minimum Eligible Age

50 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Maastricht University Medical Center

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Marlies Gijs, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Maastricht University Medical Center

Locations

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Academic Hospital Maastricht

Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands

Site Status RECRUITING

Amsterdam University Medical Center

Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Netherlands

Central Contacts

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Marlies Gijs, PhD

Role: CONTACT

+31 (0)43 3872241

Nienke van de Sande, MSc

Role: CONTACT

+31 (0)43 3875345

Facility Contacts

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Marlies Gijs, PhD

Role: primary

Frank Verbraak, MD, PhD

Role: primary

References

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van de Sande N, Ramakers IHGB, Visser PJ, Verhey FRJ, Verbraak FD, Bouwman FH, Berendschot TTJM, Nuijts RMMA, Webers CAB, Gijs M. Tear biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease screening and diagnosis (the TearAD study): design and rationale of an observational longitudinal multicenter study. BMC Neurol. 2023 Aug 5;23(1):293. doi: 10.1186/s12883-023-03335-y.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 37543602 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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20-033

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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