The GOLDeN Study (version 1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Genetics Of Leucopathology, Dementia and Neurodegeneration
IRAS ID
178873
Contact name
James Rowe
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and The University of Cambridge
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Dementia is a growing problem in the UK, which is likely to affect over half of the population. In the vast majority of dementias the underlying cause is unclear, although there appears to be a significant genetic component. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the commonest form of dementia and the best studied. A minority of AD cases (<5%) have a clear genetic cause. However, the majority of cases have a more complicated relationship to genetics with roughly two thirds showing some heritability. Studies have found that common variations in genes can change the risk of developing dementia. Genetic investigations of other neurodegenerative diseases such as fronto-temporal dementia, progressive supranuclear palsy, and corticobasal degeneration, have also identified a role for genes, including common variants that confer only a mildly increased risk, and some rare mutations that substantially increase the risk for carriers.
Understanding genetic contributions in dementias is an important step in the research process. By identifying genes, one can build the links between the biology and chemistry of dementia, and develop novel drugs. This is over and above the clinical role of genetic information for an individual, in terms of diagnosis, outlook and treatments.
To this end, we aim to gather genetic samples from patients with dementia and neurodegenerative diseases, family members, and other healthy people. The genetic samples will be collected from the specialist neurology clinics at Addenbrooke’s Hospital (referred to collectively hereafter as the memory clinics). By examining these samples and the clinical course of patients with different forms of dementia we hope to further our understanding of the mechanisms of these diseases and what leads to a risk or protection in later life.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/EE/0270
Date of REC Opinion
11 Nov 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion