RecruitingPhase 2NCT07007208

Biomarkers of the Locus Coeruleus Nucleus: Links With Early Tau Pathology, Cognition and Alzheimer's Disease Risk

Biomarkers of the Locus Coeruleus Nucleus: Links With Early Tau Pathology, Cognition and Alzheimer's Disease Risk.

Sponsor

University Hospital, Toulouse

Enrollment

100 participants

Start Date

Feb 2, 2026

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Alzheimer Disease

Summary

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by a long-lasting silent phase. Among initial events, emergence of tau pathology in locus coeruleus (LC) brainstem nucleus, well before the one observed in medial temporal cortex, is highly relevant. LC integrity and function can be assessed in vivo with MRI and pupil measures. The current research proposes to evaluate these LC markers in an aged healthy cohort (n=100, with half APOE4 positive) and to relate these markers with cerebral tau pathology, AD risk and cognitive function.

Eligibility

Min Age: 60 YearsMax Age: 100 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This clinical trial is studying MRI Contrast, a drug called a positon emission tomography (PET) exam, and others for people with alzheimer disease. The study is currently recruiting participants at 1 location. People eligible for this study include aged 60 Years to 100 Years.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

DRUGa positon emission tomography (PET) exam

TEP exam using tau-specific tracer ( Flortaucipir, unique dose 360 MBq)

OTHERMRI Contrast

Data acquisition will include different sequences (anatomical MRI, resting fMRI). The MRI sequences performed will be anatomical imaging (i.e. T1 imaging, FLAIR), a diffusion sequence, a neuromelanin-sensitive sequence and functional imaging at rest (i.e. "the resting state", which allows the functional connectivity within the so-called "default" network to be assessed).

OTHERoculometry assessment

Pupillometry and oculometry will be conducted using an EyeBrain medical device (class IIa). Several cognitive tasks will be submitted to the participant, during which the same measurements will be taken. Different stimuli will be presented on the computer screen (visual scenes, text, geometric shapes) during the eye tracking measurement, and an instruction (cognitive task, such as semantic categorization, free exploration of the gaze, reading, saccade execution) will be associated with each type of stimulus. The successive stimuli will be spaced more than 7 secondes apart in order to allow the pupillary response to the first stimulus to be recorded and then to return to the basal diameter before presentation of the next stimulus.

OTHERcognitive exams

Cognitive measures will be acquired during an evaluation session through 6 interactive cognitive exercises. These exercises are developed using tools offered by Covirtua Healthcare.