Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Decline of Aging Aviator Performance

February 24, 2017 updated by: Joy Taylor, Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research

MRI and Decline of Aging Aviator Performance

The primary purpose of this study is to apply state-of-the-art Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging (MRSI) techniques to measure changes over time in the brain.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

We expect that MRI and MRSI techniques will be a useful adjunct in research efforts to understand individual differences in performance of a complex attention-demanding task, such as flying a plane or driving a car. Other predictors of change in performance of a complex task may include simple tests of processing speed and working memory, past training and recent practice of the task, and genetic risk factors for degenerative brain disease. In this project, we will examine whether baseline MR measures are as useful as longitudinal MR measures in predicting amount of change over time in task performance.

This research is part of a long-term effort to achieve earlier identification of individuals at risk of decline and ultimately minimize loss of function.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

67

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • California
      • Palo Alto, California, United States, 94304
        • VA Palo Alto Health Care System

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

45 years to 100 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

active healthy pilots

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Subjects will be included if they have participated in the protocol "Age-Related Longitudinal Changes in Aviator Performance" and agree to participate in this protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Subjects will be excluded if they currently have a major neurological disease, unstable/untreated medical disease (such as untreated hypertension).
  • In consideration of the magnetic fields in which subjects will be placed for the MR scanning, we will also exclude subjects who are unable to safely and comfortably complete the scanning session. This includes individuals who are wearing any metal prosthesis or who have cardiac pacemakers or any other nonremovable metal objects.
  • Subjects reporting a history of severe claustrophobia or poorly controlled back pain will be excluded because it is unlikely they could comfortably remain still in the MRI scanner for the duration of the scan.
  • In addition, subjects who do not fit in the apparatus will also be excluded.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
flight simulator performance summary score
Time Frame: yearly for up to 6 years
z-score composite of executing ATC communications, avoiding traffic, monitoring engine malfunctions, visual approach and landing
yearly for up to 6 years

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
CogScreen-AE
Time Frame: yearly
computerized battery (assesses processing speed, executive function, paired assoc memory, n-back task, psychomotor tracking
yearly
Salthouse processing speed measures
Time Frame: yearl
digit copy & pattern comparison
yearl

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Joy Taylor, Stanford University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

November 1, 2002

Primary Completion (Actual)

July 1, 2011

Study Completion (Actual)

July 1, 2011

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 7, 2010

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 10, 2010

First Posted (Estimate)

May 11, 2010

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

February 28, 2017

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 24, 2017

Last Verified

February 1, 2017

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • TAYRNW0001/TAY0002
  • 11097

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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