RecruitingNCT06947876

PUFFINS Brain Health Study

Proving the Utility of Ultra-low Field MRI for Assessing Brain Health

Sponsor

University of Aberdeen

Enrollment

85 participants

Start Date

Dec 17, 2025

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Conditions

Cerebral Small Vessel Disease

Summary

Small vessel disease (SVD) is a major cause of stroke and contributor to dementia cases. As work continues to develop new treatments to address the impact of SVD, new imaging techniques are needed to identify and track the progression of brain changes that occur with SVD. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the gold standard to diagnose poor brain health due to small vessel disease. However, current MRI systems are expensive and complex to operate, and so access is limited. Low-field MRI technology, operating at magnetic field strengths many times lower than conventional MRI, can make brain imaging much more cost-effective and accessible. However, further work is needed to develop low-field MRI towards clinically feasible assessments of brain health. The University of Aberdeen hosts a unique network of researchers and imaging technologies that is now making it possible to test and develop different low-field MRI approaches towards solving key healthcare challenges. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential of two distinct approaches, field-cycling imaging (FCI) and ultra-low field MRI (ULF-MRI), to detect brain changes linked with small vessel disease. Automated methods will be developed to analyse images and extract measurements that detect and track progression of disease severity.

Eligibility

Min Age: 50 Years

Inclusion Criteria5

Adults ≥ 50 years old.
Subjects who do not report problems with memory.
Small vessel disease (Fazekas score 1 to 3).
Suitable body habitus.
Able to understand written and spoken English.

Exclusion Criteria3

History of major stroke (minor stroke/Transient Ischaemic Attacks or lacunar stroke are acceptable).
Individuals unable to give informed consent.
Contra-indications to MRI scanning such as implantable cardiac devices.

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Interventions

OTHEREnrolment 3T MRI research scan

Enrolment research scan performed with 3T magnetic resonance imaging scanner.

OTHEREnrolment Field-cycling Imaging research scan

Enrolment research scan performed with Field-Cycling Imaging scanner.

OTHEREnrolment ultra-low field MRI research scan

Enrolment research scan performed with ultra-low field MRI scanner

OTHERFollow up 3T MRI research scan

Follow up research scan performed with 3T magnetic resonance imaging scanner, 18-months after baseline scans.

OTHERFollow up Field-cycling Imaging research scan

Follow up research scan performed with Field-Cycling Imaging scanner, 18-months after baseline scans.

OTHERFollow up ultra-low field MRI research scan

Follow up research scan performed with Ultra-low field MRI scanner, 18-months after baseline scans.

OTHEREnrolment cognitive assessment interview

Enrolment interview performed to complete cognitive assessment scoring of Montreal Cognitive Assessment, EQ-5D, Trail making test, Animal naming test, controlled oral word association test, and Hopkins Verbal Learning Test.

OTHERFollow up cognitive assessment interview

Follow up interview performed to complete cognitive assessment scoring of Montreal Cognitive Assessment, EQ-5D, Trail making test, Animal naming test, controlled oral word association test, and Hopkins Verbal Learning Test. Performed 18-months after baseline interview.