Characterization and validation of biological markers of dementia and mild cognitive impairment

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a clinical heterogeneous syndrome that is characterised by memory problems or other cognitive complaints that are not severe enough to fulfil the diagnostic criteria of dementia. The diagnosis of MCI refers to a state intermediate between normal ageing and dementia. Yearly, approximately 12% of the MCI patients convert to dementia, mostly AD, although a number of MCI patients remain stable or even improve and do not convert to dementia at all. Development of biological markers as an early diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of dementia (in particular Alzheimer's disease) is of increasing importance given the future availability of disease-modifying drugs. This research project aims at the identification of genetic (APOE) and biological markers (proteins such as ß-amyloïd, tau and phospho-tau in easily accessible body fluids like cerebrospinal fluid and blood plasma) with a predictive value for conversion to dementia in MCI patients. Furthermore, the discriminatory power of these biomarkers for the differential diagnosis of dementia will be investigated. Patients will undergo thorough behavioural, genetic, neurochemical and neuropathological testing, providing us with a well-characterized study population.

Keywords:DEMENTIA, MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT

Disciplines:Diagnostics, Laboratory medicine, Neurosciences, Medicinal products, Biological and physiological psychology, Cognitive science and intelligent systems, Developmental psychology and ageing