The study aims to recruit participants from the following patient groups:

• Participants with Lewy body disorder including those meeting criteria for dementia with Lewy bodies
• Participants with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s Disease
• Participants with mild cognitive impairment due to Dementia with Lewy Bodies

Study Summary

Lewy Body Disorder (LBD) refers to two related conditions: Parkinson’s Disease Dementia (PDD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). LBD shares many symptoms with the more widely known conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) thus misdiagnosis is common. However, LBD is currently under-studied and reacts negatively to certain medications for AD, so better diagnosis and treatments need to be developed. This study aims to investigate the neuropathology of these disorders via a variety of neuroimaging techniques, so that clinicians are able to determine how these changes affect individuals’ care over time.

The study aims to recruit participants from the following patient groups:

• Participants with Lewy body disorder including those meeting criteria for dementia with Lewy bodies
• Participants with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s Disease
• Participants with mild cognitive impairment due to Dementia with Lewy Bodies

Participants will be invited to take part in a series of neuropsychological and cognitive assessments alongside an informant (a carer or close family member) who will take part in a clinical interview, which will be conducted at-home or at the Calverton Research Hub. Subsequently, participants and their carers would travel to Cambridge University Hospital to take part in a series of neuroimaging scans taking place over several days (MEG/EEG/MRI/PET/fNIRS scans).

All travel and accommodation costs would be covered by the sponsor, with funding available for food while on these visits.

The participants would then be followed up at 12 and 24 months to conduct follow-up neuropsychological and cognitive assessments to assess changes in their ability.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?

Participants may find the assessment components difficult but will be supported by experienced research delivery staff when underway. Travel outside of home area could prove troublesome but would be wholly funded and supported by a close carer/family member throughout. All steps of the research are completely voluntary and the participant would be fully supported to come home early if they chose to. There may be anxiety around the use of imaging equipment, such as MRI scanners, but will be supported by experienced staff throughout this process. Participants may be exposed to ionising radiation if they agree to undergo PET scanning, however this risk is low and the risk of developing cancer from taking part in this study is estimated as 0.01% and 0.02%.

There is no direct benefit for participation in this study beyond supporting the investigation of future healthcare interventions in this area. Participants may also find the trip to Cambridge, and a stay at a hotel enjoyable.

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?

MILOS opened to recruitment in December 2025 and we are recruiting volunteers until September 2024

Who is funding the study?

Lewy Body Society, Alzheimer’s Research UK and Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust.

For more information please contact Jack Cheshire, Research Delivery Officer via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.