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Circulating Ghrelin as a Biomarker for Dementia

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Dementia
Interventions
Diagnostic Test: Venous blood collection
Registration Number
NCT05381090
Lead Sponsor
Swansea University
Brief Summary

The primary objective of this study will explore whether circulating acyl-ghrelin (AG) and unacylated-ghrelin (UAG) are reduced in neurodegenerative disease associated with cognitive impairment. It will focus on validating pilot data generated following the analysis of Parkinson's disease (PD), Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD) and healthy cohorts (IRAS project ID: 250933). In addition to the advantages of study replication we will extend the analysis to include two further patient groups that are associated with cognitive impairments, namely, Alzheimer's dementia (AD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). This study will increase confidence in the replication of our findings.

This will be a cross-sectional study using peripheral venous blood.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
100
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age > 60 years
  • Subject or carer / legal representative is willing to sign consent document

Specific criteria for each group;

Parkinson's Disease

  • PD diagnosed by a movement disorder specialist and meets the diagnosis of PD
  • MoCA > 26/30
  • No evidence of cognitive symptoms causing functional impairment

Parkinson's Disease Dementia

  • PD diagnosed by a movement disorder specialist
  • Duration of motor symptoms > 1 year
  • Meets MDS task force criteria for PDD
  • MoCA < 21/30

Dementia with Lewy Bodies

  • Meets criteria for probable DLB as defined by the 4th report of the DLB consortium

Alzheimer's Disease

  • Meets criteria for probable AD dementia (consistent with NIA/AA core clinical criteria for probable AD dementia)
Exclusion Criteria
  • Age < 60 years
  • Current major depression
  • Use of anti-psychotic medication
  • Type I or Type II diabetes mellitus (DM) (excluding diet-controlled DM)
  • Tobacco use
  • BMI <15.0 kg/m2
  • BMI > 30 kg/m2
  • Comorbid gastrointestinal disease i.e. includes Coeliac, active Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Colitis), evidence for active gastric ulcers within the last 12 months, but excludes gastroesophageal reflux and hiatus hernia.
  • >5 kg weight change over the preceding 3 months (determined by researcher from previous clinic visit and discussion with partner/carer)
  • Significant active comorbidity
  • Difficult venous access
  • Vagotomy

Additional disease specific exclusions;

  • Parkinson's Disease exclusion criteria
  • Evidence of dementia or mild cognitive impairment
  • Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
  • Use of Duodopa

Parkinson's Disease Dementia exclusion criteria

  • Dementia within 12 months of diagnosis of PD
  • DBS

Dementia with Lewy bodies exclusion criteria

  • Onset of motor Parkinsonism symptoms greater than 12 months prior to dementia diagnosis

Alzheimer's dementia exclusion criteria

  • Presence of PD, PDD, DLB, or Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)

Controls exclusion criteria

  • Evidence of parkinsonism
  • Evidence of dementia or mild cognitive impairment
  • MoCA <26/30

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Dementia with Lewy BodiesVenous blood collectionVenous blood collection
Healthy controlVenous blood collectionVenous blood collection
Parkinson's diseaseVenous blood collectionVenous blood collection
Alzheimer's diseaseVenous blood collectionVenous blood collection
Parkinson's disease dementiaVenous blood collectionVenous blood collection
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Ghrelin ratio in PD and PDDThrough study completion, an average of 1 year

Quantification of circulating ghrelin peptides

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Ghrelin ratio in AD and DLBThrough study completion, an average of 1 year

Quantification of circulating ghrelin peptides

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Swansea University

🇬🇧

Swansea, United Kingdom

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