Retinal Hyperspectral Imaging in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Australia930 participantsStarted 2021-10-11
Plain-language summary
Hyperspectral retinal imaging is a non-invasive imaging modality in which a series of images of the retina are captured using light of different wavelengths. The resulting "hypercube" of data provides a wealth of information about the retinal structure. Our group has developed evidence supporting a role for this technology in the detection of retinal amyloid beta in Alzheimer's disease. We are undertaking further studies to establish the role of this method in the assessment of people with dementia, or those at risk of Alzheimer's disease. In addition, we wish to test whether the approach may have value in other forms of dementia or neurodegenerative disease such as Parkinson's disease, Lewy-Body dementia or vascular dementia.
Who can participate
Age range
30 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.
Inclusion criteria
. Aged over 30 years.
. Have dementia or a neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Lewy body dementia, Niemann-Pick type 2 or vascular dementia (age-matched and sex-matched controls will also be recruited).
. With the exception of participants with Parkinson's disease and Lewy body disease, for whom clinical examination by a neurologist is sufficient to establish a clinical diagnosis of probable dementia with Lewy Body or probable Parkinson disease dementia, all participants must have previously undergone at least of one of the following tests to help to confirm a clinical diagnosis of dementia or neurodegenerative disease: genetic tests, blood biomarker tests (amyloid, tau, neurofilament light), a brain amyloid beta PET scan, or cerebrospinal fluid tests.
. Have a minimum best corrected visual acuity level of 6/60 in both eyes and no major eye problems, such as advanced age-related macular degeneration, advanced glaucoma, or greater than moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
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.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
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
Diagnostic classification of neurodegenerative diseases using hyperspectral retinal imaging
Timeframe: During study visit (baseline data collection); analyses performed after completion of participant recruitment and imaging dataset acquisition