Objective | Research Question | Experimental data | Variables |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Hippocampal atrophy associated with SD? | MRI: 3D T1 BRAVO & 3D T2 (morphometry & PET pre-processing) PET: 11C-UCB-J PET (SV2a: SD) | Hippocampal volume 11C-UCB-J SUVR |
2 | Tau associated with SD in hippocampus? | MRI: 3D T1 BRAVO & 3D T2 (as above) PET: 18F-MK-6240 (tau) | Hippocampal volume 18F-MK-6240 SUVR |
3 | ECT-induced ΔGM in hippocampus associated with ΔSD? | MRI: 3D T1 & 3D T2 (as above + post ECT) PET: 11C-UCB-J PET (SD) | Δ Hippocampal volume Δ11C-UCB-J |
4 | Tau associated with MTL WM damage? | MRI: 3D FLAIR (to define + quantify WML) SWI & ASL (perfusion/vascular pathology) multi-shell diffusion (DKI, NODDI + tractography) PET: 18F-MK-6240 (tau) | Total + regional cerebral WML volume 18F-MK-6240 SUVR WM microstructural damage (e.g. MK, FA, ND), MTL WM fibre bundles |
5 | Pathological brain ageing mediated by CV risk factors? | MRI: 3D T1 & T2 (as above) MRI: 3D FLAIR (to define + quantify WML) SWI & ASL (perfusion/vascular pathology) PET: 11C-UCB-J PET (SD) PET: 18F-MK-6240 (tau) Doppler ultrasound (carotid artery) Blood biomarkers (lipids, glucose) | GM volume/cortical thickness Total + regional cerebral WML volume 11C-UCB-J & 18F-MK-6240 SUVR Intima-media thickness Serum lipids (HDL, LDL), glucose (HbA1c) Motor function metrics |
6 | Stress ➔ ↑tau & ↓SD ➔ MTL functional connectivity? | MRI: resting-state fMRI (fc connectivity) 3D T1 (as above) PET: 11C-UCB-J PET (SD) PET: 18F-MK-6240 (tau) Stress measures/EMA | Hippocampal +amygdala volume 11C-UCB-J & 18F-MK-6240 SUVR fc in MTL associated resting-state networks physiological stress metrics / EMA response |