Using advanced MRI to explore metabolism and tissue structure in multiple sclerosis (MISSION MIMS)

ISRCTN ISRCTN10088443
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN10088443
IRAS number 166097
Secondary identifying numbers IRAS 166097, CPMS 19436
Submission date
16/11/2023
Registration date
21/11/2023
Last edited
12/12/2024
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Ongoing
Condition category
Nervous System Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a brain degenerative condition caused by immune system changes. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) with contrast injection is the current standard for detection. In our study, we aim to use two new MRI techniques, 'Sodium MRI' and 'Carbon MRI,' to assess biological changes in MS-affected brains. Evidence suggests a buildup of 'lactate' in MS areas visible with 'Carbon MRI,' while 'Sodium MRI' images salt level changes. Another aspect of the study involves imaging glucose activity in the brain using Hyperpolarized Carbon and Deuterium MRI techniques. This substudy aims to compare the advantages of each method in measuring fast and slow glucose metabolism in MS patients.

We plan to compare brain images of both MS patients and healthy volunteers to understand normal versus abnormal brain patterns. The goal is to better understand MS-related brain changes, predicting treatment outcomes based on tissue lactate and glucose levels and blood vessel structure.

Who can participate?
Patients aged 18 years or older, with Multiple sclerosis. Healthy volunteers aged 18 years or older.

What does the study involve?
The MRI procedure involves a cylindrical machine with a plastic case over your head. 'Sodium MRI' is like a standard MRI, 'Carbon MRI' includes an injection of a natural sugar compound and 'Deuterium MRI' includes an administration of a sweet drink.
You might be offered an optional scan within 14 days to test the technique's repeatability.
Other procedures may include basic health checks, blood tests, and pregnancy tests, conducted with your well-being in mind.
Fasting for up to six hours before a scan may be required.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Taking part in this study may not directly help you, but it could help doctors find better ways to check for and keep track of brain tumours without using invasive methods. You will not be paid for taking part, we can cover your travel and parking costs.
MRI Scans: MRI scans are safe and do not involve X-rays or radioactivity. Some people might feel a bit closed-in (claustrophobic) or bothered by the noise, but you will be given earplugs and a squeeze-ball to help you feel more comfortable. The imaging software and hardware used are for research and not yet approved for routine diagnosis.
Incidental Findings: Although the scans are not part of your medical record, if we notice anything unusual, we will consult a specialist who may need to discuss it with you and your doctor.
Cannulation (inserting a small tube into a vein): This is a common procedure and is generally safe, but it might cause some discomfort or bruising at the insertion site. The cannula will be removed immediately after the scan.
Injection containing a substance called pyruvate: The injection is generally safe, with only mild and short-lasting side effects like flushing, feeling hot, dizziness or a metallic taste. Allergic reactions are highly unlikely, but we are prepared to manage any issues that may arise.
Sweet drink containing a substance called deuterated glucose: Glucose is a natural sugar that our body uses for energy, and deuterium is a safe form of hydrogen that is also found naturally in small amounts in our body. Scientists have previously studied water and glucose containing deuterium in people, and they did not find safety concerns. Any potential side effects will be managed by our team.

Where is the study run from?
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UK).

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
July 2015 to December 2025

Who is funding the study?
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY (UK)

Who is the main contact?
cuh.radiologyresearch@nhs.net

Contact information

Dr Marta Wylot
Public, Scientific

Department of Radiology, Level 5, Box 218
Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
United Kingdom

Phone +44(0)1223767926
Email marta.wylot@nhs.net
Prof Ferdia Gallagher
Principal Investigator

Department of Radiology, Level 5, Box 218
Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
United Kingdom

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0003-4784-5230
Phone +44 (0)1223 767062
Email ferdia.gallagher@nhs.net
Ms Maria Zamora
Scientific

Box 218, Department of Radiology, Level 5
University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine
Cambridge Biomedical Campus
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
United Kingdom

Email maria.zamoramorales@nhs.net

Study information

Study designObservational physiological imaging study
Primary study designObservational
Secondary study designCross sectional study
Study setting(s)Hospital, University/medical school/dental school
Study typeDiagnostic
Participant information sheet 44606 MISSION-MIMS C13 Patient Information Sheet v6.0 06May2022.pdf
Scientific titleMolecular Imaging and Spectroscopy with Stable Isotopes in Oncology and Neurology: Imaging metabolism and tissue structure in Multiple Sclerosis with MRI (MISSION: MIMS)
Study acronymMISSION: MIMS
Study objectivesThe distribution of tissue sodium and the physiological metabolism of a glucose breakdown product, pyruvate can be assesed by hyperpolarised 13C-pyruvate MRI and sodium MRI.
Ethics approval(s)

Approved 08/09/2015, NRES Committee East of England - Cambridge South (The Old Chapel, Royal Standard Place, Nottingham, NG1 6FS, United Kingdom; +44 (0)115 883 9428; nrescommittee.eastofengland-cambridgesouth@nhs.net), ref: 15/EE/0255

Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedMultiple sclerosis
InterventionUp to 15 patients with MS will be successfully imaged following injection with 13C pyruvate.
Up to 40 healthy volunteers will be successfully imaged following injection with 13C pyruvate. An optional second imaging study up to 14 days later will be offered. Some of these volunteers will be asked to fast for 6 hours prior to the scan taking place.
Up to 30 healthy volunteers will be recruited as part of the deuterium metabolic imaging (DMI) sub-study.
Up to 15 patients with MS will be recruited as part of the deuterium metabolic imaging (DMI) sub-study.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureUsing MRI imaging:
1. 13C. Spatial maps of area under the curve (AUC) timecourse sums of signals from
hyperpolarized pyruvate, lactate, and any other metabolites detected, and ratios between these metabolite AUCs. Also estimates of the kinetic rate constants of conversion between injected tracer pyruvate and the metabolites formed (lactate, other). The timecourse typically covers approximately 1 minute beginning approximately 16 seconds after the start of injection.
2. DMI. Spectral peak intensity ratios between deuterated water, glucose, glutamate (brain only), lactate and lipids. These will be either in spatial maps derived from 3D spectroscopic imaging, or in unlocalized spectra from the whole sensitive volume of the coil.
Secondary outcome measuresSensitivity and spatial resolution of carbon-13 imaging of pyruvate and lactate in the human brain as measured by computing the signal-to-noise ratio in images of the area-under-the-curve of the timecourse signals of pyruvate, lactate and bicarbonate.
Overall study start date01/07/2015
Completion date31/12/2025

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Healthy volunteer, Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants40 healthy volunteers, 30 patients with MS
Total final enrolment70
Key inclusion criteriaMS patients (for C13 and DMI)
1. Be aged 18 years or older.
2. Have a confirmed diagnosis of MS.
3. Be aware of and understand their diagnosis.
4. Be able to provide written informed consent according to ICH/GCP, national and local regulations.
5. Be willing and able to comply with scheduled visits, laboratory tests, imaging and other study procedures.

Healthy volunteers (C13 and DMI)
1. Be aged 18 years or older
2. Be able to provide written informed consent according to ICH/GCP, national and local regulations
3. Be willing and able to comply with scheduled visits, laboratory tests, imaging and other study procedures
Key exclusion criteriaMS patients (for C13 and DMI)
1. Have uncontrolled diabetes or glucose deranging conditions, or treatment that would cause such effects.
2. Have any medical condition that may increase the risk associated with study participation or in the judgement of the investigators make it unsuitable for the patient to enter the study.
3. Have a known allergy, adverse reaction or contraindication to any of the injected contrast agents used in this study including gadolinium contrast agents or pyruvate.
4. Be otherwise unsuitable for MRI e.g. having a permanent pacemaker, severe obesity or inability to lie still.
5. Be pregnant or breastfeeding

Healthy volunteers (for C13 and DMI)
1. Have uncontrolled diabetes or glucose deranging conditions, or treatment that would cause such effects. The significance of this will be determined by the research team.
2. Have any medical condition that may increase the risk associated with study participation, or in the judgement of the investigators make it unsuitable for the patient to enter the study.
3. Have a known allergy, adverse reaction or contraindication to any of the injected contrast agents used in this study including gadolinium contrast agents or pyruvate.
4. Be otherwise unsuitable for MRI e.g. having a permanent pacemaker, severe obesity or inability to lie still.
5. Be pregnant or breastfeeding
6. Any previous or current neurological condition deemed to be significant by the research team.

Date of first enrolment30/03/2016
Date of final enrolment30/11/2024

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Cambridge Biomedical Campus
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Hospital/treatment centre

Research and Development Department
Box 277
Cambridge Biomedical Campus
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
England
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)1223 245151
Email cuh.research@nhs.net
Website http://www.cuh.org.uk/
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/04v54gj93

Funders

Funder type

Not defined

Multiple Sclerosis Society
Private sector organisation / Associations and societies (private and public)
Alternative name(s)
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The MS Society, MS Society UK, Multiple Sclerosis Society UK, MS Society
Location
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date01/10/2026
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planAudiences for this research:
1. Scientific community
2. Funders, sponsors including NHS, ethics committees
3. Patients and the public
Dissemination activities will include:
1. Abstracts, posters and talks for national and international scientific conferences
2. PPI events
3. Use of electronic media such as websites and specialised social networks such as Linkedin and ResearchGate
4. Publications including Full, Executive Summary and Plain English Summary reports of the
research, peer review journals and local NHS/University of Cambridge newsletters. Whenever possible, open access to publications will be sought.
This study may form part of a PhD thesis for a PhD student working in the research team.
IPD sharing planData requests can be submitted starting 9 months after article publication and the data will be made accessible for up to 24 months. Extensions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Access to trial IPD can be requested by qualified researchers engaging in independent scientific research and will be provided following review and approval of a research proposal and Statistical Analysis Plan (SAP) and execution of a Data Sharing Agreement (DSA). For more information or to submit a request, please contact cuh.radiologyresearch@nhs.net.

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Participant information sheet C13 Patient Information Sheet
version 6.0
06/05/2022 21/11/2023 No Yes
Participant information sheet C13 Volunteer Information Sheet
version 6.0
06/05/2022 21/11/2023 No Yes
Participant information sheet DMI Patient Information Sheet
version 6.0
06/05/2022 21/11/2023 No Yes
Participant information sheet DMI Volunteer Information Sheet
version 6.0
06/05/2022 21/11/2023 No Yes
Protocol file version 6.0 06/05/2022 21/11/2023 No No
Other publications 15/04/2018 19/11/2024 Yes No
Other publications 01/02/2018 19/11/2024 Yes No
Other publications 01/06/2020 19/11/2024 Yes No
Other publications 18/01/2016 19/11/2024 Yes No
Other publications 04/09/2017 19/11/2024 Yes No
Other publications 22/10/2021 19/11/2024 Yes No
Results article 01/04/2019 19/11/2024 Yes No
Results article 15/08/2022 19/11/2024 Yes No

Additional files

44606 MISSION-MIMS Protocol v6.0 06May2022.pdf
44606 MISSION-MIMS C13 Patient Information Sheet v6.0 06May2022.pdf
C13 Patient Information Sheet
44606 MISSION-MIMS C13 Volunteer Information Sheet v6.0 06May2022.pdf
C13 Volunteer Information Sheet
44606 MISSION-MIMS DMI Patient Information Sheet v6.0 06May2022.pdf
DMI Patient Information Sheet
44606 MISSION-MIMS DMI Volunteer Information Sheet v6.0 06May2022.pdf
DMI Volunteer Information Sheet

Editorial Notes

12/12/2024: The following changes were made:
1. The overall study end date was changed from 31/12/2024 to 31/12/2025.
2. The intention to publish date was changed from 01/10/2025 to 01/10/2026.
19/11/2024: Publication reference added.
22/07/2024: The contact emails were changed.
01/12/2023: Internal review.
21/11/2023: Trial's existence confirmed by NRES Committee East of England - Cambridge South.