Using ultra-high field and metabolic MRI to understand resilience and degeneration in the aging and diseased brain
Integrating Metabolism, Connectivity, and Mesoscale Imaging at Ultra-high Field to Decipher Mechanisms of Resilience and Neurodegeneration in Neurological Diseases and Healthy Aging
This project will try advanced 3T and 7T MRI scans, including sodium and phosphorus imaging, to see if metabolic and connectivity changes explain resilience and degeneration in adults with MS, NMOSD, MOGAD, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or healthy aging.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 700 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 90 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Assistance Publique Hopitaux De Marseille Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Marseille) |
| Trial ID | NCT07202494 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
MESO7 is a prospective observational program that combines multiparametric brain and spinal cord imaging at 3T and ultra-high 7T to measure structural, functional, metabolic, and mesoscale features of the central nervous system. The protocol emphasizes sodium (23Na) and phosphorus (31P) MRI alongside layer-dependent functional connectivity mapping. Researchers will build directed brain network models from MRI data to quantify in- and out-degree connectivity of cortical nodes and correlate those metrics with regional sodium concentrations. Study subjects include adults with specified neurological diseases and healthy older adults, all scanned at a single center using standardized imaging sequences.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older with a diagnosis of MS, NMOSD, MOGAD, Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, or healthy older adults who can undergo 3T and 7T MRI, have social security coverage, and can provide informed consent are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who cannot undergo MRI (for example due to pacemakers, incompatible metal implants, severe claustrophobia, or pregnancy), those with uncontrolled major medical or psychiatric conditions, or those unable to consent are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify metabolic and connectivity biomarkers that predict resilience or decline and guide future diagnostic or therapeutic strategies.
How similar studies have performed: High-field 7T imaging and sodium/phosphorus MRI have been used in smaller research cohorts with promising but preliminary results, so this work builds on emerging evidence rather than established clinical practice.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age:Female or male, aged 18 years or older. * Health Status: No uncontrolled general diseases, such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, liver failure, severe or untreated high blood pressure, or severe rhythm disorders. No chronic psychiatric illnesses, including severe dementia. * MRI Compatibility: No contraindications for MRI exams (e.g., claustrophobia, metal foreign bodies, pacemakers, severe kidney failure). * Social Security Coverage: Participants must have social security coverage. * Informed Consent: The participant must have read, understood, and signed the informed consent after being adequately informed about the study. * Specific Disease Criteria (For Disease Groups): Specific inclusion criteria apply to each pathology, such as MS (based on McDonald criteria), NMOSD (Wingerchuk 2015), Alzheimer's (meeting NINCDS-ADRDA criteria), etc. Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy: Pregnant women are excluded from the study. * Inability to Provide Informed Consent: * Any participant who refuses to sign the informed consent or is unable to do so due to mental or physical conditions. * Refusal of MRI: Individuals who refuse to undergo brain MRI. * Contraindications for MRI:Participants with contraindications for MRI exams, such as claustrophobia, metal foreign bodies, pacemakers, or severe kidney failure. * Medical Conditions: Known allergy to Dotarem (contrast agent) for neuroinflammatory patients. Individuals with severe renal insufficiency or other conditions that prevent MRI scanning. Cognitive or Psychiatric Issues: Chronic psychiatric conditions, including severe dementia or cognitive dysfunction that could hinder participation. Legal or Institutional Restrictions: Adults under legal protection (e.g., under guardianship or curatorship). Individuals deprived of their liberty. Other Medical Conditions: Individuals with neurological diseases such as ischemic accidents, brain trauma, or encephalitis. Patients on treatments that would interfere with the study, as outlined for each disease. Allergy to Contrast Agent: Allergy to Dotarem for neuroinflammatory patients (MS, NMOSD, etc.). Inability to Adhere to Protocol: Participants who are unable or unwilling to comply with the study protocol.
Where this trial is running
Marseille
- Chu Timone — Marseille, France (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Jan-Patrick STELLMANN
- Email: jan-patrick.stellmann@ap-hm.fr
- Phone: +33 (0) 4 91 38 48 07
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.