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

Summary

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.

Conditions

• Aging

Interventions

OTHER

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.

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.

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).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University Hospital, Toulouse

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Pierre PAYOUX, MD · University Hospital, Toulouse

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

60 Years

Max Age

100 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-03-22

Primary Completion

2028-03-22

Completion

2028-03-22

Countries

• France

Study Locations