Clinical Biomarkers for Dementia Research, version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Clinical Biomarkers for Dementia Research
IRAS ID
149368
Contact name
J O'Brien
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Foundation Trust and University of Cambridge (joint sponsorship)
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Dementia poses great challenges for people affected by it and their families, and for clinical services involved in their care. Dementia research has become a national priority, with several initiatives underway including the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre and Unit, Translational Research Collaboration in Dementia, and the UK Dementias Platform. These have identified a need, not only to increase research, but to further streamline research with dementia clinical services, which could result in optimal benefits for both parties.
People presenting to memory services within the NHS are a valuable and representative source of subjects to address key research questions, and many want to take part in research. A large amount of information is collected for their NHS assessment, including detailed history and cognitive tasks. However, this is still insufficient to address key research questions because a) some essential markers are not collected (in particular blood) and b) consent is not obtained. In this study we will introduce and pilot a new streamlined method for patient assessment, for those who consent. Immediately after their routine NHS assessment they will be offered an additional assessment, including blood for biomarker investigation. In this way the research assessment could utilise data from their NHS assessment, and the enhanced assessments used for research, which will form part of their clinical record, will enhance their subsequent clinical care.
We would include people with all common dementias, including Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia, Vascular dementia and frontotemporal dementia, and mild cognitive impairment. We would also recruit healthy older controls as comparison subjects. For the pilot we will recruit up to 300 subjects and undertake a baseline and a 12-month follow-up assessment. This initiative would therefore result in outcomes that tap into dementia care, clinical services and other basic research questions in one combined joint approach.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1338
Date of REC Opinion
25 Sep 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion