Understanding how the brain processes copper during Alzheimer's disease, using brain scans - a potential tool for diagnosis

Lead Investigator: Professor Philip Blower
Institution: King's College London
Grant type: PhD studentship
Duration: 3 years
Amount: £75,000
Scientific Title: PET Imaging of changes in copper metabolism associated with Alzheimer's disease: potential new diagnostics.

What do we already know?

Imaging methods for early detection, prognosis and treatment monitoring in Alzheimer's disease are highly sought after. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging to detect amyloid plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, are often used, but there is growing evidence that this is not the best way to diagnose the disease.

Much work has been done recently that shows a link between Alzheimer's disease and disturbances in the processing of copper within the brain. Copper is essential to all cells and our bodies have special molecular systems for handling and using it. The nature of the changes in copper processing during Alzheimer's disease are not currently understood; for example, it is not clear whether the evidence points to a decrease or an increase in the amount of copper going into (or out of) the brain.

What does this project involve?

This research will use radioactive copper to measure how copper flows in and out of the brain using brain imaging. This could be used to understand the effect that Alzheimer's disease has on the processing of copper within the brain. PET imaging could be used to see if using these radioactive versions of copper could be used to diagnose and monitor people with Alzheimer's disease.

The imaging will first be performed on the brains of anaesthetised mice that simulate Alzheimer's disease. If the results are promising (e.g. showing differences in images between normal and disease mice), the researchers will be able to evaluate the tracers in people with Alzheimer's disease.

How will this benefit people with dementia?

After completion of this project, if successful, researchers will be able to perform the first clinical studies in patients with this new approach.

If this project is successful, this work could, in combination with other brain imaging techniques, lead to new diagnostic tools for Alzheimer's disease that could improve early detection. This could also allow the response to certain treatments to be measured quickly, as well as being a useful tool in the development of future treatments.