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Tracking the Brain in Myotonic Dystrophies: a 5-year Longitudinal Follow-up Study

Completed
Conditions
Myotonic Dystrophy 1
Myotonic Dystrophy 2
Registration Number
NCT02729597
Lead Sponsor
University Hospital, Bonn
Brief Summary

The natural history of brain affection in myotonic dystrophy types 1 and 2 is still unknown. The investigators designed a 5-year longitudinal neuropsychological and neuroimaging follow-up study to address this issue. Myotonic dystrophy type 1, myotonic dystrophy type 2 patients, and healthy controls were enrolled. All participants undergo clinical-neurological examinations, neuropsychological analyses according to a 13-item neuropsychological test battery, and 3T-brain MRI including voxel-based morphometry and diffusion tensor imaging at baseline and at follow-up using identical examination protocols.

Detailed Description

It is unknown whether brain affection in myotonic dystrophy types 1 and 2 is due to neurodevelopmental defects, neurodegeneration, or both. An exact definition of the nature and dynamic of brain affection is of urgent need for the identification of clinical trial outcome parameters and the design of therapy compounds. The investigators planned a 5-year longitudinal study to examine the natural history of functional and structural brain affection. Myotonic dystrophy type 1, myotonic dystrophy type 2 patients, and healthy controls were enrolled. All participants undergo clinical-neurological examinations, neuropsychological analyses according to a 13-item neuropsychological test battery, and 3T-brain MRI at baseline and at follow-up using identical examination protocols. The intended time span between baseline and follow-up examinations is 5 years minimum. To investigate gray and white matter affection, voxel-based morphometry and diffusion tensor imaging are performed, and data are statistically analyzed including (i) group comparisons between patients and controls at baseline and follow-up, and (ii) group comparisons using difference maps to focus on isolated disease-related effects over time.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
49
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in diffusivity indices as assessed by brain MRI with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) sequencesFirst analysis at baseline and after 5 years at follow-up
Gray matter changes assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-voxel-based morphometry (VBM)First analysis at baseline and after 5 years at follow-up
Quantification of white matter lesions using age-related white matter changes (ARWMC) rating scaleFirst analysis at baseline and after 5 years at follow-up
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
MIRS (Muscular impairment rating scale)First analysis at baseline and after 5 years at follow-up

Rating scale to assess disease severity in myotonic dystrophy type 1 patients

Motor performance (Purdue Pegboard, bimanual)First analysis at baseline and after 5 years at follow-up

A bimanual task to assess fine motor function in patients and controls. Results are used as a covariate for neuropsychological tests

Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)First analysis at baseline and after 5 years at follow-up

To assess depressive symptoms

Boston Naming TestFirst analysis at baseline and after 5 years at follow-up

A test to evaluate semantic memory.

Verbal memory recognition task, a subtest of a computerised neuropsychological screening test battery, named NeuroCogFX (Fliessbach et al., 2006).First analysis at baseline and after 5 years at follow-up

Word list learning: 3 repetitions of word list presentation, 12 words. Yes/No recognition test (items:distractors 1 : 2) (reaction intervall: 2 seconds).

Data measurement: reaction time, number of correct hits

Figural memory recognition task, a subtest of a computerised neuropsychological screening test battery, named NeuroCogFX (Fliessbach et al., 2006).First analysis at baseline and after 5 years at follow-up

Figural pattern learning: 12 different checkerboard patterns are presented, 3 repetitions of checkboard pattern presentation. Checkerboard consists of 3x3 fields, each pattern consists of 4 highlighted fields. Yes/No recognition test (items:distractors 1 : 2) (reaction interval: 2 seconds).

Data measurement: reaction time, number of correct hits

Focussed Attention. Focussed attention concerning processing speed is assessed with a symbol-counting task (subtest 1 of the "Cerebraler Insuffizienztest", c.I.T.S. (Lehrl, 1997)).First analysis at baseline and after 5 years at follow-up

Data measurement: time

Psychomotoric Speed. Psychomotoric speed is assessed using the Trail-Making Test, TMT A (Reitan, 1958).First analysis at baseline and after 5 years at follow-up

The TMT-A test consists of 25 numbered circles randomly distributed over a sheet of paper. The study participant needs to draw lines to connect the numbers in ascending order.

Data measurement: time

Reaction time, a subtest of a computerised neuropsychological screening test battery, named NeuroCogFX (Fliessbach et al., 2006).First analysis at baseline and after 5 years at follow-up

Data measurement: time

Selective attention (Choice reaction time), a subtest of a computerised neuropsychological screening test battery, named NeuroCogFX (Fliessbach et al., 2006).First analysis at baseline and after 5 years at follow-up

Data measurement: time

Interference. Interference is analysed using two tasks.First analysis at baseline and after 5 years at follow-up

1. Response inhibition subtest of the "Cerebraler Insuffizienztest" (c.I.T.I; Lehrl and Fischer, 1997).

2. Inverted choice reaction with reversed conditions of a choice reaction task, a subtest of a computerised neuropsychological screening test battery, named NeuroCogFX (Fliessbach et al., 2006).

Data measurement: reaction time

Attention shift. Attentional shift is analysed using the the Trail-Making Test, TMT B (Reitan, 1958).First analysis at baseline and after 5 years at follow-up

The TMT B test consists of 25 circles randomly distributed over a sheet of paper. These circles include both numbers and letters. The study participant needs to draw lines to connect the numbers and letters in an ascending order, but alternating between numbers and letters.

Data measurement: time

Visual-spatial / visual-constructive abilities. Visual-spatial / visual-constructive abilities are investigated using the Block design Test (part of "Hamburg-Wechsler Intelligenztest für Erwachsene"-Revision (HAWIE-R); Tewes, 1991).First analysis at baseline and after 5 years at follow-up

The block design test consists of 9 blocks and 9 pictures. The study participant needs to look at the picture and reconstruct each picture by arranging all 9 blocks.

Data measurement: time

Phonematic fluency. Phonemic verbal word fluency is assessed using the oral word-fluency test, subtest 6 of the "Leistungsprüfsystem"; Horn, 1983.First analysis at baseline and after 5 years at follow-up

In a given time (one minute) the study participant needs to list as many words that begin with a certain letter.

Data measurement: number of correct words

Semantic fluency. Semantic word fluency is assessed using a test by Strauss et al.,2006.First analysis at baseline and after 5 years at follow-up

A certain category is provided and in a given time (one minute) the study participant needs to list as many items belonging to that category.

Data measurement: number of correct items

Daytime Sleepiness Scale (DSS)First analysis at baseline and after 5 years at follow-up
Krupp's Fatigue Severity Scale (KFSS)First analysis at baseline and after 5 years at follow-up
Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS)First analysis at baseline and after 5 years at follow-up
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)First analysis at baseline and after 5 years at follow-up
Ullanlinna-Narcolepsy Scale (UNS)First analysis at baseline and after 5 years at follow-up

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