Stratification of sporadic Alzheimer’s disease for drug discovery
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Stratification of sporadic Alzheimer’s disease for an intelligent drug discovery approach - Improving therapeutic intervention, diagnosis and prognosis of sporadic Alzheimer’s disease
IRAS ID
250080
Contact name
Chris Ward
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
StrataStem
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and recent failures of late-stage therapeutics paints a grim picture for patients. We have recently found that neurons isolated from primitive cells derived from familial (f)AD patients exhibit a similar make up to that seen within the patient. We have used these neurons to identify several drug candidates and learn more about the disease. However, fAD represents only a small proportion of AD patients (<5%) and this research study will examine the make-up of neurons from the more common sporadic (s) version of AD. We require patients with confirmed clinical diagnosis of late-onset/sporadic AD to donate a blood sample to allow us to make ‘neurons in a dish’ to model the disease. This model will allow us to identify specific sub-groups of the disease and aid in the development of biomarkers, therapeutics and diagnostics. In addition, we will develop a personalised drug regimen platform for predicting patient drug response prior to treatment.
Otherwise healthy male and female patients over 65 years of age will be eligible for this study if they have a confirmed clinical diagnosis of late-onset/sporadic AD (following “Mini–Mental State Examination”) and are willing and able to provide a blood sample of 20ml and complete lifestyle and clinical questionnaires. We will approach clinical research networks (including JoinDementia and NHS partners) to help us source patients for the study. We anticipate that the blood sampling and questionnaires will be completed during routine out-patient clinics. The appointment will last approximately 1 hour.
The laboratory-based research for the trial will take approximately 18 months to compete and a further 18 months to collate and analyse the data. We may undertake a follow-up interview at the end of the project to ensure we have all of the data we require and to answer any questions that the patient or family/carers may have.
REC name
North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/NW/0267
Date of REC Opinion
28 May 2019
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion