Functional and Structural Lung Imaging in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

This is a single centre pilot study. The research team aims to recruit adult healthy volunteers and adult patient volunteers with COPD and A1ATD. We have used similar proton-based MRI techniques in healthy volunteers and people with other lung diseases and the MRI scans have been well tolerated. All participants will be adults (both male and female) who can give informed consent and are able to undertake the study procedures. Potential participants who cannot have an MRI scan for safety reasons (e.g. have a pacemaker) will not be recruited. During study visits, all research activities will be observed by a member of the research team. During the screening visit (following consent), the following information and measures will be taken: Relevant past medical history, COPD assessment tool (questionnaire), height, weight, blood pressure and pulse oximetry. During study visits, a combination of structural and functional lung MRI scans will be performed with the participant lying in the scanner. Participants will be asked to breathe normally during scans and may also be asked to perform breathing manoeuvres such as holding their breath temporarily. The participants will be assigned unique codes, and their data will be anonymised. Participants' medical reports will only be accessed for study purposes and will be treated as confidential. The investigators will aim to use the data to plan future studies, and the data from this study may contribute to publications and presentations. Participants will not be identified in any publications arising from the research. The data obtained will be published without any identifying information.