The impact of cohorts and studies in dementia research

Access to data from cohorts and studies in dementia research is vital for diagnosing the disease earlier. DPUK is making access easier, by bringing together data from 40 cohorts and working with industry.

The Impact of DPUK

DPUK set out to transform the way dementia research is done by harnesses the unique power of cohorts and studies in dementia research. DPUK's experimental medicine studies, which are small-scale studies in humans, learn from cohorts and then add further insights to dementia research.

Enhancing cohorts and studies in dementia research requires investment in technology, and collaboration with industry. To speed up this development DPUK's imaging and stem cell technology networks bring together research institution and industry resources. This pooled expertise generates bigger and braver ideas- giving hope that research will turn discovery science into life-changing medicines.

Life experiences can affect brain health

Childhood adversity and dementia

Researchers conducting the biggest study in the Data Portal are looking into how early experiences of adversity impact brain health right across the lifespan.

Study information

Study into early Alzheimer's disease treatments

The New Therapeutics into Alzheimer's Disease (NTAD) study is looking to detect markers of the disease before symptoms show. These markers for the disease will be used to test whether experimental treatments can delay, or even prevent, the progression of the disease.

Study information

Study volunteer Gillian Brown talks to trial co-ordinator Tony Thayanandan.

Deep and Frequent Phenotyping study

One of the big challenges facing dementia researchers is how to diagnose and track Alzheimer’s disease in its earliest stages – often decades before symptoms start to show. The Deep and Frequent Phenotyping study will help scientists to identify the best early warning signs of this condition, and to track responses to treatments.

Study information

Cohorts in dementia research

Cohorts are long-term studies of health. They are critical to researchers' understanding of how and why disease develops and how we treat it. Over 3.5% of the UK population is a part of a cohort study. This offers a wealth of data to shape dementia research.

DPUK cohorts

The Deep and Frequent Phenotyping study (DFP)

One of the big challenges facing dementia researchers is how to diagnose and track Alzheimer's disease in its earliest stages – before symptoms show. The DFP study will help scientists identify early warning signs of this condition, and to track responses to treatments.

DFP study

Stem cell network and studies

Scientist changing media on her iPSC-derived neuron cultures © Anna Lukala

Stem cell studies

Imaging network and studies

Imaging studies

Experimental studies

Publications and protocols

DPUK publishes experimental medicine, epidemiology, imaging and stem cell technology.

Publications

Cohorts in the Data Portal

Find out how to access over 40 different cohorts for dementia research and how DPUK can support you.

DPUK cohorts