Rate of decline in Alzheimer's disease - 01
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Comparison of rate of decline in Alzheimer's disease depending on age of onset
IRAS ID
147076
Contact name
Zuzana Walker
Contact email
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/0000/00/00, UCL Data Protection Registration
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 30 days
Research summary
The project is a retrospective longitudinal study looking at the relationship between age and rate of cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) . The study is being undertaken as part fulfilment of a MSc in Psychiatric Research at the University College London. The project will involve extracting data from patients notes and the West Essex Neurocognitive Clinic (WENC) database, a specialised memory assessment service part of the Older Adult Mental Health Service set within the North Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Patients with a diagnosis of AD will be identified through the WENC database using predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. For each individual demographic data on sex, date of birth, ethnicity, marital status, educational and past and current employment history will be obtained. This information will be obtained from the database. Once patients are given a diagnosis of AD they are then discharged from the WENC and followed up in ordinary memory clinics. The primary outcome measure will be the change in Mini Mental State Examination score per month which will be obtained from patients' notes. Other measures collected will include whether the patient is on an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, vascular risk factors such as presence of hypertension, cholesterol, diabetes, history of myocardial infarction, and smoking status. The follow up period will be from the time patients are first assessed in the WENC until the present, or earlier if the patient is admitted to a care home or death. There is no actual involvement or participation of participants. By increasing our understanding of the prognosis, or course of the disease process it is likely to help the patient and their family know what to expect and when, and enable them to plan and prepare for the future. Furthermore it may help clinicians identify patients who need specific considerations and psychosocial interventions.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SW/0122
Date of REC Opinion
28 Apr 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion