Using spatial navigation to detect early Alzheimer's disease.
An Immersive Virtual Reality Spatial Navigation Task as Potential Biomarker for the Early Detection of Alzheimer's Disease.
This study is testing if using spatial navigation tasks can help spot early signs of Alzheimer's disease in people with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 160 (estimated) |
| Ages | 50 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Ghent Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Ghent, East-Flanders) |
| Trial ID | NCT06385951 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to explore spatial navigation as a novel cognitive biomarker for the early detection of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). It focuses on patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and mild Alzheimer's dementia, as well as healthy controls, to assess their spatial navigation abilities through innovative testing methods. The study seeks to improve the ecological validity of current neuropsychological tests, which often fail to accurately reflect real-world navigation skills. By identifying early cognitive decline through spatial navigation, the research hopes to facilitate timely diagnosis and intervention.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment due to Alzheimer's Disease, mild Alzheimer's dementia, or healthy controls without significant psychiatric or medical disorders.
Not a fit: Patients with severe psychiatric disorders, significant visual or mobility impairments, or those with diabetes (if healthy controls) may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnoses of Alzheimer's disease, allowing for timely therapeutic interventions.
How similar studies have performed: While the use of spatial navigation as a biomarker is a relatively novel approach, other studies have shown promise in utilizing cognitive tasks for early detection of Alzheimer's disease.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients with a Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer's Disease (AD) * Patients with a mild Alzheimer's Dementia * Patients with MCI without a formal dementia diagnosis * Healthy controls Exclusion Criteria: * Diabetes (only for healthy controls) * Epilepsy * Presence of extreme depressive symptoms (\>11 on Geriatric depression scale or \>20 on Beck depression inventory) * Presence of extreme anxiety (\>22 on Beck Anxiety Inventory) * A major psychiatric of medical disorder * Alcohol excess * Moderate to severe white matter lesions on MRI (\>2 Fazekas) * Any visual of mobility impairment of such severity as to compromise the ability to undertake the iVR task.
Where this trial is running
Ghent, East-Flanders
- University Hospital Gent — Ghent, East-Flanders, Belgium (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Paul Boon, PhD — University Hospital, Ghent
- Study coordinator: Tineke Van Vrekhem, Master
- Email: Tineke.VanVrekhem@uzgent.be
- Phone: 093326483
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.