The ACDC Study Assessing Cognitive Deterioration in COVID-19 (NCT05855434) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
The ACDC Study Assessing Cognitive Deterioration in COVID-19
United Kingdom30 participantsStarted 2023-01-01
Plain-language summary
The long-term impact and effects of COVID-19 are still being determined. However, what is clear, is that some people are still struggling following a period of illness with COVID-19. Now known as 'long covid' or 'post covid-19 syndrome', people are not only experiencing physical symptoms like fatigue and breathlessness, but also psychological difficulties, as well as cognitive changes often referred to as 'brain fog'. This can include symptoms, such as changes in memory, difficulties with organisation and problem solving, as well as the ability to concentrate.
Evidence from other research areas suggest that these changes could be due to shrinkage in areas of the brain that control functions like memory and concentration. There are also connections between different brain areas that work together to perform tasks such as remembering and concentrating, and these areas may also be affected by COVID-19.
The purpose of this study is to scan the brains of patients reporting cognitive changes having been hospitalised with COVID-19 infection to see if any of these areas or connections have changed after infection and whether this might explain these cognitive changes.
Who can participate
Age range
16 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
PARTICIPANTS:
Inclusion Criteria
* A patient who has been hospitalised with COVID-19 disease (with a positive Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) result for SARS-CoV2 infection) within NHS Grampian hospitals with subsequent subjective reporting and objective evidence of cognitive change.
* Patients aged over 18.
* Patient has completed neuropsychometric testing protocol as described above.
* Participant who is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study.
Exclusion Criteria
* Any patient whose physical condition will preclude them from lying still for the duration of the brain scan.
* Contraindication to magnetic resonance scanning such as an implantable cardiac device.
* Patients who required intensive care treatment for SARS-CoV2 infection.
* Patients with a pre-existing diagnosis of a Neurodegenerative disease (eg. Dementia), Intellectual Disability, previous moderate/severe brain injury or previous brain injury with noted cognitive change.
* Patients with a pre-existing neuro-inflammatory disorder (eg. Multiple Sclerosis).
* Patients under investigation for, or with a history of, cognitive change prior to hospitalisation with COVID-19 disease.
* Patients with a dependency on alcohol or recreational drugs.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This ACDC study focused on using MRI imaging and spectroscopy to look at brain changes in people who had COVID-19 — could my doctor review whether any findings from this completed study might be relevant to understanding my own cognitive symptoms after infection?
2Since this study has already finished recruiting and collecting data, is there any way to access the published results or findings, and what might they tell us about the kinds of cognitive changes researchers were tracking?
3The study measured cognitive performance alongside brain imaging — are there similar tests or assessments my doctor could use now to evaluate whether I'm experiencing cognitive changes related to my COVID-19 infection?
4Given that this was an observational study rather than a treatment trial, does that mean it was looking to understand what's happening in the brain rather than test a therapy, and how should that shape my expectations about what the results can offer me?
5Are there any follow-up studies or treatment trials building on what the ACDC study found that my doctor might consider discussing with me as a next step?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Primary Endpoint The primary endpoint is MR imaging and spectroscopy associations with measured cognitive performance.