A Genetic and Perfusion Study of Response to Cognitive Enhancers in Lewy Body Disease
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2016-01-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Lewy body spectrum disorders are a common group of neurodegenerative diseases that cause
memory loss, behavioural and motor disabilities that impair quality of life. Cognitive
enhancers help people afflicted with these conditions. However, some people do not benefit
from this treatment, while others experience serious side effects. Side effects and poor
response lead to hospitalization and early institutionalization. Pharmacogenomics, the study
of how DNA variation can influence drug effects, will be combined with functional changes in
brain imaging in response to cognitive enhancers in patients with Lewy body disease. The goal
is to develop a predictive test that can be administered in the clinic to aid physicians'
choice of initial medication. This can reduce health care costs and improve treatment to
Canadians suffering from these devastating disorders.