Mind and Skin - the Neurocutaneous Axis in Atopic Eczema

Inclusion criteria

• Patients aged 12 to 18 with atopic eczema (groups 1 and 2), which has been diagnosed by a Consultant Dermatologist.
• Patients with atopic eczema warranting systemic immuno-modulatory therapy or patients with atopic eczema on topical therapy or healthy controls.
• Written informed consent for study participation obtained from the patient or from the parent(s) / legal guardian, with assent as determined by the patient's age and level of understanding.
• Willingness to comply with all study requirements.
• Competent use of English language, according to patient's age (patients will be required to understand the written questionnaires and complying with instructions during MRI scanning).

Exclusion criteria

• Insufficient understanding of the study by the patient and/or parent/guardian.
• Any clear contra-indication to MRI scanning. In particular this would be due to the presence of any implanted devices or metal from previous surgery or accident. This would be fully assessed with a standardised safety questionnaire by a radiographer prior to MRI scanning.
• Any condition deemed by the Investigator to limit a patient's ability to undertake MRI components of the study, for example significant claustrophobia.
• Diagnosed by a sleep medicine specialist with a formal sleep disorder, requiring systemic medication.
• Sleep disturbance from co-morbid illness (including physical and/or mental/psychological illness) other than atopic eczema, deemed by the Investigator to significantly impact on sleep components of the study.
• Previous and/or current substance misuse.
• Patients who take medications that would, in the investigator's opinion, impact on quality of sleep studies.