CT Radiation Study

Full study title: Low Dose Ionizing Radiation Using CT Scans as a Potential Therapy for Dementia (LDIR-CT-Dementia) Trial: A Pilot Study

 

What is the study about?

This study is a randomized control trial that is trying to find out whether the radiation from repeated CT scans can temporarily improve the functioning, memory, thinking, and/or behaviour in people with advanced dementia. A CT scan sends out a low dose of radiation. In this study, depending on the group a participant is placed in and how long they participate, a participant could receive up to eight CT scans over several weeks.

 

Eligibility- Who can participate?

Participants must:

• Be in advanced stage of dementia (the study team will do a short assessment to determine eligibility)
• Have a study partner who can also participate; the study partner will play an important role and must be someone who regularly spends time with the participant—at least several times a week
• Have been clinically stable for the last 3 months

 

Time requirement

• There are two phases that are 13 weeks each. If you choose to participate in both phases, it is 26 weeks in total. Study visits are approximately once a week (but there are some breaks with no activity for three weeks). In addition to CT scans, participants will also undergo cognitive testing, blood draws, and electroencephalography (EEG).

 

TDRA study investigator

Dr. Morris Freedman

TDRA Site:

Baycrest

Address: 3560 Bathurst St, North York, ON M6A 2E1

Age Group:

40 - 49, 50 - 54, 55 - 59, 60 - 64, 65 - 69, 70 - 80, 81 - 85, 86 - 90, 91+

Target Population:

Alzheimer’s disease, Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), Parkinson's disease dementia, Vascular dementia