Brain Health Oneida

University of Wisconsin, Madison19 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this observational study is to better understand the relationship between stroke risk factors and brain MRI measures in the Native American population. Participants will undergo: * Carotid ultrasound * Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) * Cognitive testing

Researchers' central hypothesis is that Native Americans (NAs) suffer from chronic psychological stress (PS) and inter-generational trauma related to historical loss (HL) which are manifested as inflammatory proteomic changes, leading to atherosclerotic vessel wall injury, stroke and vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). The researchers present a study to determine if MRI brain health metrics such as structural and functional connections, cerebral blood flow measures, brain morphometry are correlated with cardiovascular risk factors, atherosclerotic disease burden, blood inflammatory proteins, and scores on the Oneida cultural nutritional programs.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

Conditions

Oneida Nation Members

Interventions

MRIDIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Participants will undergo a 60-minute MRI

Carotid ultrasoundDIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Participants will undergo an ultrasound

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 55 YearsMax age: 90 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 55-90 * Receiving healthcare though the Oneida Comprehensive Health Division Exclusion Criteria: * Not Native American * Contraindications to MRI scans

Locations (2)

University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Oneida Nation Reservation

Oneida, Wisconsin, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Cortical thickness

Cortical thickness is measured using T1w MRI imaging. Normal thickness is 1-4.55mm - average is about 2.5mm, below that range is considered thinning.

Time frame: 3 months

White matter lesion buildup

Buildup is measured using T2-FLAIR White Matter Hyperintensities (WMHs). Number and extent of WMHs is normalized based on head size.

Time frame: 3 months

Number of strokes

Imaging helps assess number of strokes, understanding the type of stroke, underlying causes for stroke, identification of vascular malformations, treatment planning and outcomes prediction.

Time frame: 3 months

Microstructural integrity

DTI (Diffusion Tensor Imaging) visualizes the structure of the brain's white matter. It helps understand how brain regions are connected.

Time frame: 3 months

Cerebral blood flow

Cerebral blood flow is measured using ASL perfusion MRI imaging. This technique provides quantitative measure of blood flow to brain tissue, which allows to assess brain function.

Time frame: 3 months

Atherosclerotic vascular buildup

Atherosclerotic vascular buildup is measured using 4Dflow MRA imaging. This technique allows for a more detailed visualization and quantification of blood flow patterns.

Time frame: 3 months

Secondary Outcomes

Brain connectivity

Brain functional connectivity is measured using resting functional MRI. Those participants with fewer cerebrovascular disease (CVD) risk factors will resemble expected connectivity of healthy adults, compared to those with CVD risk factors will be significantly different.

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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