A landmark study is exploring potential biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias using participants that have been followed since 1946.
Insight 46, led by UCL researchers including BRC supported Professor Nick Fox, Professor Seb Ourselin and Dr Jonathan Schott, aims to identify lifetime factors which influence brain health and cognitive ageing, with a particular focus on Alzheimer's disease and cerebrovascular disease.
Over 5,000 individuals have been tracked in 24 waves of data collection incorporating a wide range of measures since their birth in England, Scotland and Wales during one week in March 1946. Now, 500 of this group, all age 71, are being recruited to a neuroscience sub-study of the MRC National Survey of Health and Development. A small fraction of this group have overt dementia; and researchers estimate one third may be in the preclinical stages of Alzheimer's disease.
Dr Chris Lane, first author on the paper published in BMC Neurology, said: “Whilst a number of ageing studies exist, the large amount of information that has been collected on study members throughout their lives provides a unique opportunity to explore the early, mid and later-life factors that influence brain health.”
The pathological changes underpinning Alzheimer's disease, the leading cause of dementia, are thought to develop at least a decade prior to the onset of symptoms. As a result, lifestyle or pharmacological interventions that can prevent or delay the onset of symptoms is a global health priority.
Dr Lane said: “Through the incorporation of information gathered across the life course with the imaging, cognitive, clinical and genetic data collected in Insight 46, we hope to identify early markers that precede the development of dementia and may be useful tools in future clinical trials targeting preclinical Alzheimer’s disease.”
The research team use PET brain imaging, which allows the measurement of β-amyloid in the brain, a protein considered important in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Magnetic resonance imaging is simultaneously performed which may be able to detect subtle early brain changes. Participants also have detailed cognitive testing and a number of physical assessments, allowing researchers to assess key processes underpinning cognitive impairment repeatedly and non-invasively.
The MRC National Survey of Health and Development initially tracked 5,362 people since their birth in 1946, and 2,800 remain under active follow-up, contributing to almost seven decades of pioneering research. This incredible group of people have had regular assessments as birthdays have come and gone, to help researchers at the MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL understand more about the impact of life on health.
