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Deep and Frequent Phenotyping

An image of a brain scan from above © Canva

One of the big challenges facing dementia researchers is how to diagnose, track and treat Alzheimer's disease in its earliest stages – often years before symptoms start. The Deep and Frequent Phenotyping (DFP) study identifies the best early warning signs of the condition and most effective ways to track the responses to treatment.

 

About DFP

A DFP study volunteer with trial coordinator Tony Thayanandan

Damage to the brain can occur many years before symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers need to be able to investigate and test treatments at this critical early stage. At present, it is difficult to prove that a new early-stage treatment works because any symptoms may be a long way off or change only slowly.

The DFP study addresses this issue, by systematically testing different measures of early Alzheimer's disease, looking for the tests that are most sensitive and deliver results in as short a time as possible. These measures include brain scans, cognitive and memory tests, scans of eletromagnetic fields generated by the brain, retinal pictures, blood and spinal fluid tests, and the use of wearable technologies that measure movement, gait and cognition. We will use the data from DFP to show if early interventions are working.

Bernard Clarke, a volunteer for the DFP study, prepares for his MEG scan with the help of two research assistants.

DFP is recruiting 150 participants from across the UK who are over 60 and in generally good health.

DFP is the world's most detailed study of preclinical Alzheimer's disease. Our volunteers are contributing to the most comprehensive study, comparing multiple technologies head to head, to find the best tests to tell if a new drug is working or not in the shortest possible time. Data from the study will be made available to researchers via the secure DPUK Data Portal.

The DFP study is run from within DPUK, led by Dr Vanessa Raymont of the University of Oxford, and is jointly funded by the MRC and NIHR.

 

 

DFPvolunteers.png Taking part as a volunteer>>