Retinal scanning for biomarker discovery in multiple sclerosis

ISRCTN ISRCTN77452114
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN77452114
Secondary identifying numbers CRIC/RI/2015/02
Submission date
18/03/2015
Registration date
20/04/2015
Last edited
13/07/2016
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Nervous System Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
The back of the eye, called the retina, is one of the few places in the human body that allows easy observation of blood vessels and nerves. We are researching how we can use information from images of the retina to help understand multiple sclerosis (MS). Retinal scanning is non-invasive and a completely safe method of obtaining pictures of the retina. Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopy (SLO) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) use light from low-power lasers which enters the eye through the pupil. Light reflected back leaves the same way to be collected by the machine, creating an image of the retina. Many people have had this type of retinal scanning performed already at visits to an optician for an eye check-up. We now want to analyse these images in more detail to see what they can reveal about diseases such as MS. By applying computational analysis to these images it might be possible to identify subtle changes which may act as early indicators or biomarkers of severity of MS.

Who can participate?
Adults between the ages of 18 and 75 with MS, and healthy volunteers.

What does the study involve?
We will capture retinal images from participants in order to identify candidate retinal biomarkers that could act as early indicators of disease.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
While there is no direct benefit from taking part in our study the results might inform the future healthcare of patients with conditions such as MS. These procedures are completely safe and pose no risk.

Where is the study run from?
The Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
From April 2015 to April 2018

Who is funding the study?
Medical Research Council (UK)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Tom MacGillivray

Contact information

Dr Tom MacGillivray
Scientific

Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (CCBS)
University of Edinburgh
Chancellor's Building
49 Little France Crescent
Edinburgh
EH16 4SB
United Kingdom

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0001-5120-0086

Study information

Study designSingle-centre trial
Primary study designObservational
Secondary study designCohort study
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeDiagnostic
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet
Scientific titleMulti-modal retinal scanning for diagnostic and therapeutic biomarker discovery in multiple sclerosis and neurodegenerative disease
Study objectivesThere is increasing evidence that examining the eye can tell us a lot of information about our health and diseases such heart disease, stroke and dementia. Changes in the eye can sometimes be observed many months or even years before other more serious symptoms develop. We want to study what eyes can reveal about serious diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), which damage nerves and affects the brain, by analysing images of the retina from simple non-invasive eye scanning. By applying computational analysis to these images it is possible to identify subtle changes (e.g., variations in retinal vessels, thinning of the retinal nerve fibre layer) which may act as early indicators or markers of severity of MS.

1. Does retinal imaging represent a viable imaging modality for monitoring patients with MS?
2. How does the quality of images acquired from healthy volunteers compare to patients with MS?
3. Does anatomy and function of the retina measured in healthy volunteers differ from patients with MS?
4. Do anatomical and functional changes in the retina show associations or trends with the diagnosis and severity of MS?
Ethics approval(s)National Research Ethics Service Committee London - South East, 05/05/2015, ref: 15/LO/0533
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedMultiple sclerosis
InterventionWe will capture retinal images from consenting patients with MS and also healthy volunteers . We will identify candidate retinal biomarkers that could stratify MS patients, act as early indicators of disease, and be used as outcome measures for studies looking at new therapies.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureThe change in retinal structure and function as measured by computation analysis of imaging.
Secondary outcome measuresVisual acuity (full contrast and reduced contrast), refractive error (from glasses or focimeter or refraction), and expanded disability status scale (EDSS).

Correlation will be made with information on diagnosis, subtype, date of onset of symptoms, date of diagnosis, history of optic neuritis, history of other eye diseases, and any current visual symptoms. This will include phenotypic description, disease metric correlation, and integration of retinal image measurements into a combined score.
Overall study start date01/04/2015
Completion date01/04/2018

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Mixed
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants100
Key inclusion criteria1. Competent and consenting adults between the ages of 18 and 75 years
2. Patients with MS including those with clinically isolated syndrome, relapse-remitting, secondary progressive and primary progressive - 25 in each group
3. Participants must be able to manoeuvre themselves to the retinal imaging room in the Rowling Clinic unaided, sit upright in a chair or wheelchair, comfortably position themselves for imaging, and be able to listen to and act upon directions for fixing their gaze
Key exclusion criteria1. People who cannot manoeuvre themselves to the retinal imaging room in the Rowling Clinic unaided, who cannot sit upright in a chair or wheelchair, who cannot comfortably position themselves for imaging, or who would struggle with listening to or acting upon directions for fixing their gaze
2. People under the age 18 or over the age of 75
Date of first enrolment01/04/2015
Date of final enrolment01/08/2017

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Scotland
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

The Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic
49 Little France Crescent
Edinburgh
EH16 4SB
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

University of Edinburgh (UK)
University/education

The Queen’s Medical Research Institute
47 Little France Crescent
Edinburgh
EH16 4TJ
Scotland
United Kingdom

NHS Lothian (UK)
Hospital/treatment centre

The Queen’s Medical Research Institute
47 Little France Crescent
Edinburgh
EH16 4TJ
Scotland
United Kingdom

University of Edinburgh
Not defined

Funders

Funder type

Research organisation

Medical Research Council
Government organisation / National government
Alternative name(s)
Medical Research Council (United Kingdom), UK Medical Research Council, MRC
Location
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planTo be confirmed at a later date
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
HRA research summary 28/06/2023 No No

Editorial Notes

24/03/2016: Ethics approval information added.