Brain study

Brain imaging and Cognition in patients with DMD

Locations:
trialComplete
Newcastle
,

 
Primary Outcome Measures

Quantitative assessment of progressiveness of pathological changes in brain associated with dystrophin absence and cognitive impairment by:

Comparison upon follow-up of

  • cerebral (sub-)volumes
  • localization of differences in cerebral volumes
  • cortical thickness
  • cerebral perfusion
  • anatomical connectivity
  • functional connectivity
  • metabolism as assessed by diffusion weighted spectroscopy (DWS)

 
Secondary Outcome Measures

To study the relationship between the above mentioned MR parameters and:

  • the results from neuropsychological testing and behavioral functioning
  • the DMD gene mutation

 
Can I take part?

 
Inclusion Criteria

  • DMD patients of eight years and older with a known genetic mutation in the dystrophin gene.
  • Male disease controls of similar age to the DMD boys with mutations affecting the dystrophin glycoprotein complex, but intact dystrophin.
  • Healthy boys of eight years or older form the control group.

 
Exclusion Criteria

General exclusion criteria are:

  • Claustrophobia           
  • Pacemakers and defibrillators
  • Nerve stimulators
  • Intracranial clips
  • Intraorbital or intraocular metallic fragments
  • Cochlear implants
  • Ferromagnetic implants (e.g. thoracic implant for scoliosis)
  • Inability to lie supine during less than 45 minutes
  • not having a general practitioner

Exclusion criteria for healthy controls

  • any muscle disease
  • a brain disorder (such as severe brain concussion in past history, congenital brain anomalies, epilepsy)
 

Age

8 - 8 years

Mutation Specific

Non-mutation Specific Therapies

Muscle Biopsy

Not Required

Ambulation

both