Examining the relationship between asthma and cognitive function

The Dallas Asthma Brain and Cognition (ABC) Study

This study is trying to see how asthma affects thinking and brain health in people aged 40 to 69 compared to those without asthma.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 192 (estimated)
• Ages: 40 Years to 69 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (other)
• Drugs / interventions: chemotherapy, radiation
• Locations: 2 sites (Dallas, Texas and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT03794856 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to investigate the cognitive performance and brain function of individuals with asthma compared to healthy controls. Participants aged 40 to 69 will undergo two assessment sessions, including cognitive testing, health history evaluations, and advanced MRI imaging to assess brain structure and function. The study seeks to understand how asthma may impact cognitive abilities and overall brain health, particularly in aging adults. A total of 126 asthma patients and 66 healthy controls will be recruited for this research.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 40 to 69 with a documented diagnosis of asthma for at least two years.

Not a fit: Patients with significant medical or psychiatric histories that could affect brain function may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide insights into the cognitive impacts of asthma, leading to improved management strategies for patients.

How similar studies have performed: While there is ongoing research into asthma and cognitive function, this specific approach utilizing advanced imaging techniques is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* For asthma patients: diagnosis of asthma (verified by a medical documentation) for at least 2 years; for healthy volunteers: no significant medical or psychiatric history.
* Ages 40 to 69 years old.
* Proficient in English.
* Education level of at least 10th grade level.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Treatment with oral corticosteroids in the previous 6 weeks, because of the potent effects of this drug on airway reactivity.
* Spirometry: Peak expiratory flow (PEF) below 60% of predicted.
* Diagnosis of vocal cord dysfunction (identified by abnormalities in spirometric flow-volume curves), clinically significant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or emphysema.
* Presence or history of medical or neurological disorder that may affect brain function and the physiological systems of interest (e.g. angina, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, transient ischemic attacks, cerebrovascular accidents, emphysema, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, history of seizures or head trauma, endocrine disorders or renal disease, chemotherapy or radiation presently or in the past 5 years, uncontrolled diabetes, blood pressure above 160/90 (self-reported or measured at session 1).
* Corrected vision poorer than 20/30 on Snellen Eye Chart.
* Presence or history of Schizophrenia, Psychosis, Dementia, Bipolar I, Bipolar II, PTSD or Acute Stress Disorder
* Current or recent history (within 1 year) of Substance Related Disorders, current recreational drug use (defined as past 30 days) or consuming more than 20 alcoholic drinks per week.
* Current treatment with anti-psychotics, sedatives, benzodiazepines with a half-life longer than 6 hours.
* Previous electroconvulsive therapy.
* Presence of history of orthopaedic circumstances and metallic inserts interfering with MR scanning (prior surgeries and/or implant pacemakers, pacemaker wires, artificial heart value, brain aneurysm surgery, middle ear implant, non-removable hearing aid or jewelry, braces or extensive dental work, cataract surgery or lens implant, implanted mechanical or electrical device, artificial limb or joint, foreign metallic objects in the body such as bullets, BB's, shrapnel, or metalwork fragments, pregnancy, claustrophobia, uncontrollable shaking, or inability to lie still for one hour.
* Not proficient in English.
* In the opinion of the principal investigator, participant is otherwise unsuitable for this study.

Where this trial is running

Dallas, Texas and 1 other locations

• Southern Methodist University — Dallas, Texas, United States (RECRUITING)
• The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center — Dallas, Texas, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: E. Sherwood Brown, MD, PhD — UT Southwestern Medical Center
• Study coordinator: Windsor Hall

Conditions: Asthma, Healthy participants, Cognitive functioning, MRI