Leiden – Alzheimer Research Nederland

This project comprises of two complementary parts. One part is aimed at the development of innovative diagnostic techniques to detect molecular signatures of AD based on disturbances of amyloid metabolism and glutamate neurotransmission. In this part, the focus is on the two most promising diagnostic approaches in AD: (molecular) imaging techniques and molecular diagnostic tests of CSF. In the second part of this study, techniques for which proof-of-concept has been found in humans are applied in a large group of AD patients. These patients are recruited in an established network of 4 collaborating memory clinics in The Netherlands, which use a standardized diagnostic protocol and share an extensive common database. Furthermore, more mature molecular, structural, and functional imaging and molecular diagnostic CSF techniques as well as the conventional diagnostic work-up will be applied from the start of the study in patients from the same network of memory clinics.

Types Neurodegenerative disease-specific cohort
Participant Types Condition diagnosed
Countries Netherlands
Genders Male and Female
Sample sizes 0 to 4,999
Ages 10 to 19|20 to 39|40 to 59|60 to 100
Brain related measures Behaviour|Cognitive function|Mental health|Neurological
Funtional rating Caregiver|Individual psychological
Anthropometric Blood pressure|Height|Weight
Physical Cardiovascular
Biological samples Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF)>CSF biomarker data available
Genotyping
Brain imaging Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)|Positron emission tomography (PET) – amyloid|Positron emission tomography (PET) fluorine18 flurodeoxyglucose (FDG)
Brain banking
Lifestyle Alcohol|Smoking
Socio-economic Education|Family circumstances|Housing and accommodation|Income and finances|Marital status|Occupation and employment|Unpaid care
Health service utilisation Formal health and social care service utilisation including private care
Institute names Leiden University Medical Center, Maastricht University Medical Center, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, VU University Medical Center
Current Sample Sizes 0 to 4,999

age at recruitment >18
last updated
recruitment period Oct-08
estimated current sample size number value 304
cohort acronym LeARN
start date Oct-08
pi Professor Dr. F.R.J. Verhey, Professor Dr. M.A van Buchem, Professor Dr. B. van Berckel and Dr. M. Verbeek
website http://www.ctmm.nl/en/projecten/neurodegeneratief/learn?set_language=en publication of the protocol: https://bmcneurol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2377-12-72
contact details P.O. Box 616 6200 MD
Maastricht,
The Netherlands
abstract  This LeARN project aims to develop new instruments that enable an earlier and more reliable diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) during life. 241 participants were recruited in 2008 there were no specified age restrictions.
funders  CTMM, a Dutch public-private partnership for translational research
contact email Email: [email protected]
contact phone number Tel: +31-43-3874175
estimated current sample size 0 to 4,999
sample sizes 241