Oxford Brain Diagnostics establishes a research-based clinical MRI study in Japan to investigate how Cortical Disarray Measurement (CDM) analysis may support differential diagnosis and estimate disease severity in Dementia patients
Oxford Brain Diagnostics Ltd, a software company focused on developing diagnostics based on changes in the brain at the cellular level, is delighted to announce that we have established a research collaboration with Principal Investigator Dr Takashi Nakajima, MD, PhD at Niigata Hospital and Dr Kazuo Shigematsu at Minami Kyoto National Hospital. In Japan, clinical MRI scanners are available for the diagnosis and evaluation of dementia. Brain imaging by MRI is available for patients with dementia and the prodromal stages using standard health insurance. However, regular MRI images are of limited use in the differential diagnosis of dementia or estimating its severity as they don’t show enough detail. Brain MRI scans are currently used to rule out other neurodegenerative diseases rather than directly diagnose the cause of dementia and do not help in early diagnosis.
This project, led by Oxford Brain Diagnostics and Dr Nakajima, will gather real world MRI patient data, and will use CDM analysis, based on changes at the cellular level, to assess dementia disease severity and potentially support differential diagnosis. It is anticipated the study will last up to 6 months, with a view to advancing the research into other NHO Dementia Registry hospitals.
Dr Steven Chance, CEO, Oxford Brain Diagnostics said ‘we are very honoured to partner with Dr Nakajima and Dr Shigematsu in this real world clinical research project. Despite all the difficulties that COVID 19 has posed, our commitment to Japan remains steadfast as a priority market. For us, what is valuable in this collaboration is that we can analyse MRI images for patients in a clinical setting. This starting footprint will enable Oxford Brain Diagnostics to introduce its unique methodologies and expertise to Japan and ideally position us for regulatory approval in the long term.`
Dr Takashi Nakajima, MD, PhD, Neurologist, Director of Niigata National Hospital, NHO said ‘…the problem is that current MRI imaging is not specific for the differential diagnosis and severity evaluation of dementia. Therefore, before drugs based on the amyloid and tau hypotheses can be available to treat Alzheimer`s disease, we must establish imaging biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment. For this purpose, we have decided to adopt OBD`s MRI-based CDM diagnostic model and test it in a clinical setting.’
Dr Kazuo Shigematsu, Department of Neurology, MD, PhD, Minami Kyoto Hospital, NHO · further adds, ‘I think the collaboration between Niigata Hospital and OBD is a brilliant one because it will allow us to validate the usefulness of CDM for qualitative and quantitative evaluation of neurological disorders by using high-performance MRI data, which is widely available in Japan, to evaluate OBD with CDM, which analyses the innovative nerve array disturbance…… ‘Oxford Brain Diagnostics’ CDM analysis was the first in the world to make such assessment possible.’
Oxford Brain Diagnostics Ltd is rethinking how brain health is assessed and managed. Founded in neuropathological and neuroimaging expertise, the company’s patented Cortical Disarray Measurement (CDM) technology uses MRI brain scan data to support early and differential diagnosis, track progression, and predict the decline of neurodegenerative diseases. Oxford Brain Diagnostics is committed to assessing brain health based on changes in the cellular structure, supporting drug development, and helping clinicians around the world in their fight to defeat Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.