Canadian Atherosclerosis Imaging Network Project 1 (CAIN1)
Medical Imaging Trials Network of Canada Project C6 (MITNEC-C6)
Royal Canadian Airforce (RCAF) Study
The Canadian Atherosclerosis Imaging Network Project 1 (CAIN1) is a pan-Canadian multi-centre study focused on understanding carotid disease and cerebrovascular outcomes such as ischemic brain disease. Using advanced MRI techniques to image the brain and the major blood vessel in the neck (i.e., the carotid arteries), this study will characterize carotid plaque morphology in non-surgical patients to determine how this may contribute to vascular burden in the brain. CAIN1’s main objective is to translate imaging innovations into clinical practice with the end-goal of developing therapeutic interventions aimed at treating atherosclerosis and neurological diseases. Over 650 patients recruited from qualified sites across Canada were imaged at two time-points to assess change over time. Vascular imaging expertise and infrastructure in all major Canadian cities are linked in this novel multidisciplinary team to form a core clinical research network. The study investigators, core and recruitment sites are Canada's leading atherosclerosis imaging experts.
Study Type: Observational and longitudinal; Study Sponsor/Funder - Canada Foundation for Innovation and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
The Medical Imaging Trials Network of Canada Project C6 (MITNEC-C6) is the Amyloid and Glucose PET Imaging in Alzheimer and Vascular Cognitive Impairment Patients With Significant White Matter Disease project under the MITNEC clinical platform in Canada. Exploring the usefulness of brain imaging, genetic tests, memory and thinking tasks, the MITNEC-C6 study is designed to investigate the relationships between brain amyloid deposition and white matter disease with the end-goal of identifying and treating patients with moderate-to-severe white matter disease. Patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and white matter disease, as well as participants who had a minor stroke or a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), are recruited from both stroke and memory clinics across Canada, acquiring amyloid and glucose PET and MRI at baseline, with follow-up amyloid PET and MRI 1-2 years later.
Study Type: Health Canada Regulated Trial, Observational & longitudinal in nature. Clinical trials.gov link
Typically, white matter hyperintensities (WMH) are typically observed on MRI in older individuals, in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and cerebrovascular disease, and are rarely found in young healthy individuals. However, recent findings from U2 pilots in the United States Airforce, suggest that WMH observed in some younger high functioning pilots with occupational exposure to decompression stress may be associated with subtle cognitive impairment.
The Royal Canadian Airforce (RCAF) study entitled, Prevalence and Correlates of White Matter Hyperintensities in RCAF Aircrew and Other Related Trades, is a collaboration between the brainlab.ca group, the Canadian Forces Environmental Medicine Establishment (CFEME) and Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC), to examine the prevalence of WMH in RCAF pilots and aircrew who are exposed to hypobaric pressure during training and operational environments. Canadian forces study participants underwent high resolution MRI at Sunnybrook, along with an array of cognitive testing, blood sampling to assess proteomic biomarkers, and a cardiac bubble / agitated saline contrast echo, at a nearby military research station in Toronto. The findings from this Canadian study contributes to a larger study as part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization study entitled The Impact of Hypobaric Exposure on Aviators and High-Altitude Special Operations Personnel (NATO RTG-274).
Study Type: Observational & cross-sectional in nature; Study sponsor/funder - Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR).