BRU study into lupus is looking for healthy volunteers
Biomarkers of disease activity, neurocognitive function and cardiovascular risk in a cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic illness which affects the immune system. SLE can affect any part of the body. It causes inflammation and can lead to organ damage or dysfunction. Research has shown that people with SLE are more likely to suffer from diseases of the heart and blood vessels (arteries). This is partly because the high levels of inflammation in SLE cause damage to arteries by hardening them.
Processing information and memory may also be affected in SLE. Problems include difficulty with short term memory and concentration, changes in mood and fatigue. How much these are affected by inflammation has not been studied in depth.
We wish to further study these conditions in SLE and are recruiting people with SLE as well as people without (healthy controls). We are currently looking for healthy controls to be in our study.
The study involves:
- A telephone call to check you are suitable for the study
- A one off visit to the NIHR / Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, Manchester, which lasts up to 5 hours
- Fasting blood tests
- Arteriograph (non-invasive test of heart function)
- A scan of your brain whilst undertaking memory tasks
- Undergoing some mood assessments
- Computer tasks looking at, for example, memory and concentration
You can take part in this study:
if you are:
- Aged between 18 and 70 years old
- Female
if you have:
- No major medical conditions
- No major depression or psychiatric disorder(s)
Unfortunately we are unable to pay for participation but will cover any travel expenses and provide breakfast and lunch.
