Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Eye-tracking Predictive Markers of Cognitive Ageing.

NCT ID: NCT06058897

Last Updated: 2025-12-22

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

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

100 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-03-22

Study Completion Date

2028-03-22

Brief Summary

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This research proposes to investigate physiological and cognitive markers of locus coeruleus (LC) neuronal integrity and function in cognitively-healthy participants over 60 years old. The locus coeruleus is a brainstem nucleus, sole source of noradrenaline for the brain. Tau pathology appears in neurons of this nucleus, which may induce initial cognitive changes. The study aims at relating locus coeruleus markers, assessed with MRI and eye-tracking techniques, with cognitive function.

Detailed Description

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The LC is a small brainstem nucleus, sole source of noradrenaline (NA) to the brain. NA is involved in the physiological arousal response: LC neuronal activity is closely related with pupil dilation, and pupil size is now considered a reliable and easy-access biomarker of LC function. NA-dependent cognitive functions include attention, flexibility and memory, which are selectively impaired with age. Accordingly, LC-NA system dysfunction may occur and contribute to initial cognitive changes during old age.

The study will assess, in cognitively-healthy older volunteers from the INSPIRE cohort (n=100, over 60 years old), MRI and pupillometry markers of LC integrity, LC-forebrain connectivity and LC activity. We aim at investigating the relationship between LC biomarkers and cognitive status. Four experimental visits will be conducted by each participant, every 6 months over an 18-month period. Visits V1 and V4 will include MRI, eye-tracking and detailed cognitive exams. Visits V2 and V3 will include a detailed cognitive exam.

Conditions

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Aging

Keywords

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ageing locus coeruleus noradrenaline cognition memory MRI pupillometry

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NA

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Study Purpose

OTHER

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Experimental

MRI, eye-tracking and cognitive exams will be completed by subjects.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

MRI

Intervention Type OTHER

MRI examinations will be conducted on the 3T MRI technical platform. During the MRI examination, images reflecting the integrity of the LC (quantification of neuromelanin as well as its functional connections with the different brain regions (resting functional MRI) will be acquired. High-resolution T1 and T2 weighted images of the the entire brain will also be acquired for the volumetry of cerebral areas.

eye-tracking

Intervention Type OTHER

Eye tracking examinations will be conducted using an EyeBrain medical device (class IIa) developed by Suricog. This eye tracker will be installed in a box, in an experimental room. The eye tracker is combined with a computer to present visual cognitive tasks. Pupillary dilation/constriction measurements will be acquired at rest (when fixing a cross presented on the screen) and during the performance of different cognitive tasks (exploration and processing of scenes visuals, reading texts, making saccades or anti-saccades when presenting visual targets). These pupillary measurements will then be linked to the memorization of the stimuli presented, this recognition being tested at the end of the exam.

cognitive exams

Intervention Type OTHER

Cognitive measures will be acquired during an evaluation session through interactive cognitive exercises. These exercises are developed using tools offered by Covirtua Healthcare (Covirtua Cognition software). Some exercises will test cognitive systems a priori dependent on NA release (episodic memory, working memory, selective attention, selective inhibition, planning) and other a priori independent of NA (semantic memory: categorization, naming).

Interventions

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MRI

MRI examinations will be conducted on the 3T MRI technical platform. During the MRI examination, images reflecting the integrity of the LC (quantification of neuromelanin as well as its functional connections with the different brain regions (resting functional MRI) will be acquired. High-resolution T1 and T2 weighted images of the the entire brain will also be acquired for the volumetry of cerebral areas.

Intervention Type OTHER

eye-tracking

Eye tracking examinations will be conducted using an EyeBrain medical device (class IIa) developed by Suricog. This eye tracker will be installed in a box, in an experimental room. The eye tracker is combined with a computer to present visual cognitive tasks. Pupillary dilation/constriction measurements will be acquired at rest (when fixing a cross presented on the screen) and during the performance of different cognitive tasks (exploration and processing of scenes visuals, reading texts, making saccades or anti-saccades when presenting visual targets). These pupillary measurements will then be linked to the memorization of the stimuli presented, this recognition being tested at the end of the exam.

Intervention Type OTHER

cognitive exams

Cognitive measures will be acquired during an evaluation session through interactive cognitive exercises. These exercises are developed using tools offered by Covirtua Healthcare (Covirtua Cognition software). Some exercises will test cognitive systems a priori dependent on NA release (episodic memory, working memory, selective attention, selective inhibition, planning) and other a priori independent of NA (semantic memory: categorization, naming).

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* INSPIRE cohort participant
* Mini-Mental State Examination score ≥ 27 on 30
* Access to a web connection from participant's or relative's home and regular use of web surfing
* Signature of the informed consent
* Affiliated to a social security scheme

Exclusion Criteria

* Any contra-indications to MRI exam
* Ophthalmic pathology impacting eye-tracking measures
* Neurological or psychiatric pathology
* Person under guardianship or curatorship

Contraindications to MRI examination:

* Pacemaker or cardiac defibrillator
* Implanted material activated by an electrical, magnetic or mechanical system
* Haemostatic clips for intracerebral aneurysms or carotid arteries
* Orthopedic implants
* Claustrophobia

Ophthalmological pathologies impacting eye tracking measurements:

* Glaucoma
* Age-related macular degeneration
* Unoperated cataract
Minimum Eligible Age

60 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

100 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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University Hospital, Toulouse

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Pierre PAYOUX, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University Hospital, Toulouse

Locations

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University Hospital

Toulouse, , France

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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France

Central Contacts

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Pierre PAYOUX, MD

Role: CONTACT

Phone: 0562746169

Email: [email protected]

Florence REMY, PhD

Role: CONTACT

Phone: 05 62 74 61 54

Email: [email protected]

Facility Contacts

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Pierre PAYOUX, MD

Role: primary

Florence REMY, PhD

Role: backup

Other Identifiers

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RC31/22/0357

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id