Stratification in Alzheimer's disease
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Stratification in Alzheimer's disease
IRAS ID
223348
Contact name
Paula L McClean
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Ulster University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
TBC, ISRCTN registry
Duration of Study in the UK
12 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative condition characterised by the accumulation of beta amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles and neuronal and synaptic loss, which results in reduced cognitive function and eventual loss of independence. The disease affects approximately 850,000 people in the UK at an estimated cost of 26.3 billion annually, representing a significant personal and economic burden. The incidence of Alzheimer’s disease is set to quadruple by 2050. Only by improving our understanding of the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease and designing new disease-modifying treatments will we be able to work towards strategies to delay disease onset and progression.
Early onset Alzheimer’s disease (EOAD) is defined clinically as presenting before the age of 65 and most inherited cases are considered to be due to mutations in amyloid precursor protein (APP), presenilin 1 (PSEN1), and presenilin 2 (PSEN2) genes. Late onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD) is a more complex disorder, likely involving multiple susceptibility genes, of which APOE4 is most prevalent. Currently little is done to understand why patients present with Alzheimer’s disease at different ages. It is presumed that early onset is associated with genetic mutations, however genetic testing is not routinely conducted. Similarly nothing is used to differentiate late onset disease, or to predict disease course, i.e. whether a patient’s cognitive function may be likely to decline slowly or rapidly. These factors are important so that advance planning may be conducted more effectively.
The purpose of this project is to stratify patients with different age of onset; 45-54, 55-64, 65-74 and 75-84 in order to determine if there are genetic, biochemical, environmental factors or co-morbidities associated with age of onset. Disease progression will be followed to determine if there are shared features associated with the level of deterioration within and between patients with different age of onset.
REC name
HSC REC B
REC reference
17/NI/0132
Date of REC Opinion
24 Aug 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion