Cardiac Amyloid Deposits and Heart Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease

University Hospital, Essen15 enrolled

Overview

This study seeks to explore the possible common pathogenesis of both cardiac amyloidosis and Alzheimer's disease, which can both be associated with amyloid deposits. Using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans with amyloid tracers - a conventional tool for non-invasively imaging amyloid deposits in Alzheimer's disease - the research will extend this imaging methodology to the heart. The study will conduct additional PET/MRI scans of the heart in patients undergoing amyloid tracer PET scans for Alzheimer's evaluations. Each participant will also undergo an echocardiogram and a clinical examination of dementia. This could potentially enhance diagnostic practices in both cardiac amyloidosis and Alzheimer's disease.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

Conditions

Dementia, Alzheimer Type Mild Cognitive Impairment Cardiac Amyloidosis

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients undergoing cerebral amyloid PET examination for clinical indication to clarify Alzheimer's disease * No contraindications to undergo an MRI examination * No contraindications to undergo an Amyloid PET scan Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with vascular dementia and confirmed other causes of dementia (e.g. stroke, vitamin deficiency, thyroid insufficiency, toxic causes such as alcohol) * Patients with pronounced cardiac preconditions * Pregnant and breastfeeding women

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Frequency of occurrence of cardiac amyloid deposits in patients with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (overall)

Time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year

Frequency of occurrence of cardiac amyloid deposits in relation to different disease manifestations (subdivided, for example, by clinical assessment of disease stage)