Establishing Alpha-synuclein RT-QuIC Assay as a Diagnostic Technique in REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder

October 17, 2022 updated by: University of Edinburgh

Establishing Alpha-synuclein Real Time - Quaking Induced Conversion (RT-QuIC) Assay as a Diagnostic Technique in Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep Behaviour Disorder (RBD)

We hypothesise that a real-time quaking induced conversion assay for the detection of pathological alpha-synuclein (α -syn RTQuIC) can be used to differentiate between cases of idiopathic REM-sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) and RBD that is symptomatic of prodromal α-synucleinopathies.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

This study will be the largest analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) α-synuclein in Rapid Eye Movement Behaviour Disorder (RBD) patients to date. In line with the The National CJD Research & Surveillance Unit (NCJDRSU)'s recent inclusion of a positive RT-QuIC for pathological prion protein in the diagnostic criteria for Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) [1], we aim to deploy this novel method to establish it as an accurate research and diagnostic resource in the assessment and prognosis of RBD. This research is transformative and has the potential to change practice.

Currently, there is no simple method with high sensitivity and specificity available which can identify patients who will go on to develop an α - synucleinopathy. Clinical assessment of a panel of markers (e.g. Postuma et al. 2015) are time-consuming and impractical in normal clinical settings, with the majority of patients presenting to sleep physicians, geriatricians, and non-specialised neurology clinics, both publicly and privately. This has a major impact on counselling strategies for RBD patients, appropriate follow-up, trials of novel neuro-protective agents in alpha-synucleinopathies before full-blown phenotype is manifest and enhancing understanding of pathways involved in RBD out-with the dopaminergic system.

RBD is a common, sometimes fatal disease (through injury to self/others) and treatments are indiscriminate regarding aetiology with limited evidence-base. A simple test using CSF (analogous to measuring CSF-orexin levels to diagnose narcolepsy+cataplexy) with high sensitivity and specificity is ideal. Thus, we believe that the central thesis of our work will not only inform subsequent behavioural, genetic and neuroimaging characterisation of our established RBD cohort, but will also translate the α-syn RT-QuIC concept into evidence-based and effective clinical practice.

Study Type

Observational

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

    • Lothian
      • Edinburgh, Lothian, United Kingdom, EH16 4TJ
        • The University of Edinburgh

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

16 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients diagnosed with REM Sleep Behavioural Disorder using ICSD-3 criteria

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients diagnosed with Rapid Eye Movement Behaviour Disorder (RBD) using the International Classification of Sleep Disorders version 3 (ICSD-3) criteria [18] - Patients aged 18 years and over - Patient able to give written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • RBD secondary to medication or withdrawal state. - <18 years old - Inability to give written informed consent - Contraindication to lumbar puncture procedure (e.g. patients taking Warfarin)

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

  • Observational Models: Cohort
  • Time Perspectives: Cross-Sectional

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Presence of pathological α-synuclein within the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
Time Frame: 0-24 months after sample taken
The primary outcome measure will be either a positive/negative (binary) result from the α-syn RT-QuIC assay. A positive output confirms presence of pathological α-synuclein within the CSF.
0-24 months after sample taken

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Collaborators

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Renata L Riha, MD, University of Edinburgh

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

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 (Anticipated)

September 1, 2021

Primary Completion (Anticipated)

September 1, 2022

Study Completion (Anticipated)

September 1, 2022

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 10, 2020

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 10, 2020

First Posted (Actual)

February 12, 2020

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

October 18, 2022

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

October 17, 2022

Last Verified

May 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

Undecided

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

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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