Acute Concussion Management in Emergency Medicine with 7T MRI (ACME-7T)
The ACME-7T study is investigating how advanced 7T MRI brain imaging can help predict recovery from mild traumatic brain injury. By identifying subtle radiological biomarkers which are generally not visible on CT or MRI scans used in day-to-day clinical practice, the study seeks to compare patients with full recovery to those with ongoing symptoms. Ultimately, this research aims to improve understanding of concussion and mildTBI and their long-term impact on health.
The ACME-7T Study
Approximately 1.2 million people attend Emergency Departments annually in England and Wales alone with a mild traumatic brain injury (concussion or mildTBI). While many people recover quickly after an episode of concussion, some people experience prolonged or severe symptoms. There are currently no routine tests in clinical practice which can be used to predict the trajectory of recovery.
About the Study
Glasgow is one of seven sites in the UK which harness the power of 7T MRI machines to produce very detailed scans. ACME-7T seeks to investigate radiological biomarkers which distinguish 'good' from 'bad' recovery from concussion, which may be too subtle to be identified on CT or MRI scans used in day-to-day clinical practice. This study will compare 7T MRI brain imaging in patients who have recovered to those with ongoing concussion symptoms one month after their head injury.
Ultimately, this study aims to understand the contribution of 7T MRI to a better understanding of concussion and its effect on patients' health. This is part of broader initiative by the Living Laboratory and the University of Glasgow’s College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences to stimulate clinical studies utilising 7T imaging.
How DHVL Supported this Study
DHVL has supported the study design by providing Emergency Department expertise through our Lead, Professor David Lowe, and the involvement of our Clinical Innovation Fellow, Dervla Carroll. The study is a collaboration with mildTBI expert Professor William Stewart, Consultant Neuroradiologist Professor Natasha Fullerton, and Research Fellow in MRI Physics Dr Graeme Keith.
