The PROTECT Study

The PROTECT Study will gather data and support innovative research to improve our understanding of the ageing brain and why people develop dementia.

We know that certain factors such as exercise, smoking and blood pressure affect our risk of dementia, and there is increasing evidence that our genes also play a role.

Participants in PROTECT will provide information about themselves and complete online assessments to measure their abilities such as memory and reasoning. By repeating these assessments each year we will monitor how they change over the study. Participants will also provide a sample of their DNA through a simple at-home kit. PROTECT participants will also have the opportunity to take part in innovative studies to answer crucial questions such as:

• How do key measures, such as memory, language and reasoning change over time as we age
• How do our lifestyle choices, including our exercise habits and diet affect our risk of dementia
• What role do genetics play in the ageing brain? How do they affect how our brain functions and what is their influence on development of dementia?
• What are the early signs of dementia and how can they be distinguished from normal ageing
• What approaches can be delivered online to influence the ageing process and the development of dementia?

Last Update 21/09/2017

Types General population-based cohort
Participant Types No diagnosis
Countries United Kingdom
Genders Male and Female
Sample sizes 5,000 to 9,999
Ages 40 to 59|60 to 100
Brain related measures Behaviour|Cognitive function|Mental health|Neurological
Funtional rating Individual psychological
Anthropometric Height|Weight
Physical
Biological samples Saliva
Genotyping
Brain imaging
Brain banking
Lifestyle Alcohol|Dietary habits|Physical activity|Smoking
Socio-economic Education|Ethnic group|Marital status
Health service utilisation Formal health and social care service utilisation including private care
Institute names King’s College London
Current Sample Sizes 5,000 to 9,999

age at recruitment >50
last updated
recruitment period 2014- ongoing
estimated current sample size number value 23000
cohort acronym
start date 2014- ongoing
pi Professor Clive Ballard
website http://www.protectstudy.org.uk/about.aspx
contact details PROTECT study, Clinical Trials Team
Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases
Guy’s Campus
King’s College London
London SE1 1UL
abstract  The PROTECT study is a population based study looking at the ageing brain and why people develop dementia. Recruitment is ongoing and is estimated it will reach over 5,000 over 50 year olds.
funders  NIHR Biomedical Research Unit for dementia
contact email Email: [email protected]
contact phone number Tel: 0207 848 8183
estimated current sample size 0 to 4,999
sample sizes 5000