Multimodal brain testing for Alzheimer’s and mild cognitive impairment
Official title: Multimodal Assessment of Cognitive Impairment in Alzheimer Patients
Run by Norwegian University of Science and Technology · NCT06448403 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will use MRI, EEG, sleep studies, and blood and stool tests to try to find brain and bodily changes that predict or distinguish Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 65 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Norwegian University of Science and Technology Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Trondheim, Trønderlag) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 1, 2024 |
| Main results expected | December 29, 2030 |
| Study ends | December 29, 2030 |
| Registry record updated | August 13, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06448403 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 65 or older diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, and age- and sex-matched healthy controls who can undergo MRI and EEG, are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
People with early-onset AD (diagnosed before age 65), other neurodegenerative disorders, brain tumors, prior neurosurgery, major traumatic brain injury, inflammatory/autoimmune diseases, or who cannot undergo MRI/EEG are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational project combines cognitive testing, structural and functional MRI, 64-channel EEG, randomized polysomnography in a subgroup, and blood and fecal sampling to map brain and systemic changes in people with late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment, and matched healthy controls. Imaging will be analyzed for structural and functional alterations while EEG will measure changes in electrical activity, and polysomnography will characterize sleep-related features. Blood samples will be tested for dementia- and inflammation-related proteins and fecal samples will be analyzed for gut microbiome composition. Cognitive testing will link clinical performance to the biological and neurophysiological measures to identify markers that precede clinical decline or distinguish patient groups.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could enable earlier and more accurate detection of Alzheimer’s-related decline and identify biological signals useful for tracking disease progression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous multimodal biomarker studies combining imaging, electrophysiology, and blood markers have shown promising leads but no single multimodal signature has yet become a definitive clinical diagnostic tool.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * MCI and AD according to relevant ICD-criterias. * Control cohort is age and gender matched with other cohorts. Exclusion Criteria: * Uneligibility for any of the planned neuroimagery devices (MRI, EEG) * AD diagnosis before the age of 65 (Early-onset AD). * Brain tumor * Traumtic head injury * Earlier neurosurgery * Other neyrodegenerative diseases (i.e Parkinson and ALS) * Diseases related to inflammation and auto-immunity (i.e MS)
Where it's running
-
Norwegian University of Sciene and Technology / Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet (NTNU)
Trondheim, Trønderlag, Norway Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Axel Sandvig, Prof., MD, PhD — Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) & St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital
- Study coordinator: Axel Sandvig, Prof., MD, PhD
- Email: axel.sandvig@ntnu.no
- Phone: 72 57 56 20
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Blood tests using plasma biomarkers to diagnose and track Alzheimer’s disease
A large, year-long study in Milan is testing whether blood markers can help diagnose Alzheimer’s and predict how it will progress in people with memory concerns.
-
Using a passive home sensor to find digital signs of brain energy changes from nicotinamide riboside
This project will try a contact-free home sensor to see if it can detect activity, sleep, and breathing changes related to nicotinamide riboside in people with mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer's.
-
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.
-
Blood-based tests and digital cognitive checks to help triage dementia
This study tests whether adding blood biomarkers, APOE4 genetic info, and digital cognitive tests can help dementia diagnosis be faster in NHS Memory Clinics.
-
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.
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.