The hypersomnolence neuroimaging initiative: the first global consortium for harmonized MRI mega analysis on central hypersomnolence disorders

Central hypersomnolence disorders are characterised by excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and strongly affect patients’ quality of life. A lack of awareness, as well as poorly understood underlying biology is hindering early identification and adequate treatment of hypersomnolence disorders. Ultimately, strongly reduced daytime functioning and quality of life in patients with central hypersomnolence disorders presents a burden for patients, partners, and society.
Neuroimaging studies in hypersomnolence disorders could help to improve our neurobiological understanding, but are often limited in size. Together with large variation of analysis methods that have been used across sites, this contributes to inconsistent findings and possibly overlooked, true effects in the search for more disease insights. To tackle these issues, the first international multicentre consortium ‘Hypersomnia-MRI’ has recently been initiated by research groups in Amsterdam, Leiden, and Montréal, reaching the largest sample size in the field of hypersomnolence disorders to date. Within this global consortium, existing scans will be processed with harmonised analysis methods and consequently pooled at a central site to increase statistical power. This results in high-impact overarching meta- and mega-analyses.

Faculty Supervisor:

Thien Thanh Dang-Vu

Student:

Partner:

Amsterdam UMC

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Biotechnology

University:

Concordia University

Program: