LACI-Cog: A pilot randomized controlled trial of isosorbide mononitrate and cilostazol in patients with vascular cognitive impairment.

Based in the cerebral Small Vessel Disease research group of the University of Edinburgh and working closely with the NHS Scotland’s Neuroprogressive and Dementia Research Network and the Dementias Platform UK Trial Delivery Framework, the student will undertake preparatory work to pilot and establish an efficient pragmatic trial design for a trial of two repurposed drugs for patients with vascular cognitive impairment, modelled on the LACunar Intervention Trials 1 – 3 (LACI-1/2/3) in SVD stroke. The design will underpin future trials of other repurposed and novel drugs.

This will involve two key workstreams:

Firstly the candidate will use data from existing studies and trials (see refs) to identify key parameters such as definitions of vascular cognitive impairment, clinical, cognitive and radiological selection criteria, likely numbers of patients, their prescribed drugs and potential interactions, relevant clinical outcome assessments and outcome rates, information which is essential to guide the design of larger phase 2 and ultimately phase 3 trials in this population.

Secondly, the candidate will help prepare a protocol and aid in obtaining regulatory approvals, the set up and conduct of a pilot randomised controlled trial (LACI-Cog) working closely with the supervisors and the Neuroprogressive and Dementia Research Network, incorporating the information gained above. Then the candidate will aid in running of the trial, including recruitment and assessment of participants, working closely with the Team and Network researchers.

The PhD involves discrete components but there is flexibility and opportunities to refine existing plans. The PhD offers clinical experience in memory clinics.

Training outcomes:

• Interdisciplinary working
• Systematic review and meta-analysis
• Design and conduct of clinical trials
• Regulatory approvals, data management and confidentiality
• Reproducibility and rigour in research
• Statistics and computational skills
• Public engagement

Race Against Dementia Team Vascular: The University of Edinburgh

Race Against Dementia: All Hands Team Vascular

Vascular causes of dementia are common. Cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) is the leading cause of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) and vascular dementia (VaD) including in mixed dementias with Alzheimer’s disease. Despite causing up to 45% of dementias, research and established treatments for vascular causes of dementia are lacking. Race Against Dementia (RAD): Team Vascular - Prevention and Treatment of Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia is a cross-disciplinary team working together to prevent and treat vascular causes of cognitive impairment and dementia, with expertise in cSVD, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, clinical research including trials, discovery science, and data science including experimental validity, literature and drug data interrogation. The Team comprises four interconnected workstreams: LACI-Cog, a pilot trial in patients with cognitive decline; LACI-Rat, conducting randomised trials in preclinical rodent models; LACI-Hunt, to develop efficient methods of searching for new drug targets and drugs; and LACI-Ignite, to advocate for the importance of vascular causes of dementia, foster awareness, and promote interest amongst early career and senior researchers, funders and policy-makers.

www.ed.ac.uk/clinical-brain-sciences/research/row-fogo-centre

Student requirements - The successful candidate is likely to have a 1st or 2:1 honours degree or MSc in psychology, biomedical sciences, or related subject, or equivalent qualification in a profession aligned to medicine. Prior experience in patient-facing clinical roles or research, clinical trials, and statistical analysis would be an advantage. An MSc in a related discipline would also be an advantage but is not essential.

PhD studentships - This is one of three RAD Team Vascular PhDs. In these three-year PhDs, students will work in a multidisciplinary environment and receive specific training in cerebrovascular disease including vascular causes of dementia via local, national and international research collaborations and general training via the Postgraduate Office. The training is designed to ensure students gain a broad range of skills that will enhance their employability and ensure they can become future leaders in research.

Supervisors and Environment - All supervisors are experienced researchers, bring complementary skills to tackle vascular causes of cognitive decline and dementia, and world leading in their respective topics. They are all trained in PhD regulations, Equality & Diversity and Unconscious Bias, student mentoring and training, and are approved by the UoE to be a supervisor.

APPLICATION PROCESS - Please apply using the INSTITUTION WEBSITE link which will take you to the APPLY HERE button to access detailed instructions and the EdNeuro.PhD APPLICATION FORM.