BRAIN AI: Biomarker Research to Assess Inflammation in Neurodegeneration using Artificial Intelligence
Award Number
NIHR301287Award Type
HEE/NIHR ICA Programme Clinical LectureshipProgramme
HEE/NIHR Integrated Clinical Academic ProgrammeStatus / Stage
ActiveDates
9 February 2021 -9 January 2024
Duration (calculated)
02 years 11 monthsFunder(s)
NIHRFunding Amount
£208,693.00Funder/Grant study page
NIHRContracted Centre
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation TrustContracted Centre Webpage
Principal Investigator
Dr Sofia MichopoulouPI Contact
sofia.michopoulou@uhs.nhs.ukPI ORCID
0000-0003-1974-8388WHO Catergories
Development of BiomarkersDisease Type
Dementia (Unspecified)CPEC Review Info
| Reference ID | 22 |
|---|---|
| Researcher | Reside Team |
| Published | 12/06/2023 |
Data
| Award Number | NIHR301287 |
|---|---|
| Status / Stage | Active |
| Start Date | 20210209 |
| End Date | 20240109 |
| Duration (calculated) | 02 years 11 months |
| Funder/Grant study page | NIHR |
| Contracted Centre | University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust |
| Contracted Centre Webpage | |
| Funding Amount | £208,693.00 |
Abstract
Early diagnosis of dementia allows for prompt medical management which helps preserve the patient’s cognition, daily function and quality of life for longer. Dementia diagnosis often requires multiple investigations, including cognitive assessments, blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests and neuroimaging. Despite this wide-range of techniques currently at our disposal, diagnosis remains a highly subjective and lengthy process. There is strong demand from the clinical community for objective tools to enable early dementia diagnosis.Neuroimaging studies show that reduced brain perfusion is an early functional marker of dementia. In addition, new evidence implicates inflammation as a driving force for neurodegeneration. Blood and CSF biomarkers of inflammation, some of which were pioneered by researchers in Southampton, are associated with accelerated progression of dementia. The quantitative combination of these diagnostic techniques could support earlier diagnosis of dementia.AimTo evaluate the role of routine clinical and targeted biomarkers of inflammation in dementia progression and identify neuroimaging signatures of the impact of inflammation on brain perfusion. To exploit the added value of using inflammation markers for dementia prognosis by combining them with neuroimaging and patient demographics using a quantitative diagnosis support tool that will facilitate objective diagnosis of dementia. MethodsThis study proposes secondary analysis of data from a cohort of 446 patients at University Hospital Southampton collected during the NIHR-funded Brain Imaging in Dementia (BRAIID) study, which focused on optimising the use of imaging data for diagnosis and prognosis. BRAIID includes data on neuroimaging, patient demographics and blood/CSF results, presenting a unique opportunity for multiparametric analysis. Targeted biomarkers including cytokines and vascular markers will be measured in BRAIID CSF samples using assay kits. Secondary data analysis of routine biomarkers from previously assayed blood and CSF samples will also be performed. Functional brain perfusion imaging data will be analysed using statistical parametric mapping to identify neuroimaging signatures of inflammation in patients with high vs low burden of inflammation.To harvest the complementary nature of inflammation markers, neuroimaging and patient demographics, these data will be quantitatively combined into a diagnosis support tool using Artificial Intelligence techniques. The tool will be trained and validated on clinical data from BRAIID, to support future integration into dementia care pathways, with input from patients and clinicians to direct its development most appropriately. Impact, timelines for delivery and dissemination This research will provide: Neuroimaging signatures of routine (publication by Mar. 2022) and targeted (publication by Nov. 2023) biomarkers of inflammation. These signatures will provide new insights into the impact of inflammation on brain function, highlighting the areas of the brain most affected and expanding our understanding of dementia pathophysiology and progression in the presence of inflammation A quantitative diagnosis support tool for objective assessment of dementia (Complete evaluation using BRAIID cohort data and publish outcomes by Aug 2024).Dissemination will be achieved through: Open-access publishing in reputable scientific journals Presentation of results in scientific conferences Participation in Patient and Public Involvement engagement events Visiting other NHS Trusts to share knowledge and methods, and to cross-validate the developed techniques.
Aims
To evaluate the role of routine clinical and targeted biomarkers of inflammation in dementia progression and identify neuroimaging signatures of the impact of inflammation on brain perfusion. To exploit the added value of using inflammation markers for dementia prognosis by combining them with neuroimaging and patient demographics using a quantitative diagnosis support tool that will facilitate objective diagnosis of dementia.