Amyloid deposits in the heart and heart function in people with Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Investigation of Cardiac Amyloid Deposits as a Cause of Cardiac Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease (Untersuchung Von Kardialen Amyloidablagerungen Als Ursache Einer Funktionseinschränkung Des Herzens Bei Alzheimer Demenz)
Run by University Hospital, Essen · NCT07154394 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will see if the same amyloid buildup found in Alzheimer's also shows up in the heart by adding a heart amyloid PET/MRI, an echocardiogram, and a dementia exam for people already having a brain amyloid PET.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 15 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Essen Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 15, 2022 |
| Main results expected | August 14, 2023 |
| Study ends | September 14, 2025 |
| Registry record updated | September 4, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07154394 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
People referred for cerebral amyloid PET to clarify Alzheimer's who can safely undergo MRI and PET and do not have other confirmed causes of dementia or major cardiac disease are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with vascular dementia or other confirmed non-amyloid causes of cognitive decline, those with significant cardiac comorbidities, or those who cannot undergo MRI or PET (including pregnant or breastfeeding women) are unlikely to benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational study adds cardiac PET/MRI using amyloid tracers to patients already undergoing cerebral amyloid PET for Alzheimer evaluation, plus an echocardiogram and a clinical dementia exam. Imaging and clinical data will be correlated to look for amyloid deposits in the heart and relationships between cardiac findings, brain amyloid status, and cognitive measures. Patients with MRI/PET contraindications, pronounced cardiac disease, or other confirmed non-amyloid causes of dementia are excluded. The single-site study at University Hospital Essen aims to improve understanding of possible shared amyloid-driven mechanisms in brain and heart and to inform diagnostic practice.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could improve detection of cardiac amyloidosis and clarify links between heart and brain amyloid, helping tailor care for people with Alzheimer's and unexplained heart dysfunction.
How similar studies have gone: Amyloid PET is well established for brain imaging and has been used in small prior studies to image cardiac amyloid experimentally, so this approach is plausible but still exploratory for routine clinical use.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients undergoing cerebral amyloid PET examination for clinical indication to clarify Alzheimer's disease * No contraindications to undergo an MRI examination * No contraindications to undergo an Amyloid PET scan Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with vascular dementia and confirmed other causes of dementia (e.g. stroke, vitamin deficiency, thyroid insufficiency, toxic causes such as alcohol) * Patients with pronounced cardiac preconditions * Pregnant and breastfeeding women
Where it's running
-
University Hospital Essen
Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: David Kersting, MD PhD
- Email: david.kersting@uk-essen.de
- Phone: +49-201-723-2073
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
One-day exercise test to see how brain and body react in epilepsy, cognitive disorders, Parkinson's, dementia, and related conditions
A one-day study tests how an acute bout of exercise changes brain function and bodily signals in people with certain neurological conditions compared with healthy individuals.
-
Choose Myself (Before) Losing Myself
We’re testing an educational interactive booklet to help people with dementia or memory problems think about future medical decisions and start conversations with family or caregivers.
-
Gut and Oral Microbiome and Cognitive Health in Aging
This study tests whether differences in gut and mouth bacteria are linked to cognitive health in adults across ages and cognitive status.
-
Gut methane and Parkinson's: measuring if a probiotic helps people with Parkinson's, REM sleep behavior disorder, or cognitive concerns
This study tests whether a probiotic containing Limosilactobacillus reuteri can help people with Parkinson's disease, those at high risk for PD, and related cognitive issues by potentially improving gut methane levels and overall symptoms.
-
AI-supported sleep program for people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia
A small randomized trial tests an AI-assisted behavioral sleep program to help people with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia who have sleep problems.
-
Liver and Coagulation Markers in ATTR Cardiac Amyloidosis
This study tests liver function and blood-clotting markers in people with ATTR-CA to see if they reflect disease severity and progression.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.