DEMENTIA WITH LEWY BODIES' CONSOLIDATION OF THE TISSUE RESOURCE.
Lead Research Organisation:
Newcastle University
Department Name: Institute for Ageing and Health
Abstract
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Technical Summary
The MRC funded study ‘Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB): Diagnosis and Management‘ was originally funded in 1999. Two hundred and seven subjects were recruited for annual clinical assessment and follow up to neuropathological autopsy. The programme has to date produced over 200 peer reviewed publications, conference abstracts and presentations and has made major impacts in the field e.g. the demonstration of dopamine transporter SPECT scanning as a clinically useful diagnostic technique for DLB. We remain at the forefront of international DLB research as evidenced by our leadership of the recently published revision of the International Consensus Criteria for clinical and pathological diagnosis and management of DLB. (McKeith, Dickson et al. 2005)
We have assembled a comprehensive database of clinical and investigative data on this unique cohort over the last 5 years and have ethical approval to continue the study until 2010. Our primary aim in doing this is to achieve brain tissue donations from the majority of cases that have been studied to: 1) collect sufficient numbers of cases per diagnostic group to allow the originally proposed neuropathological, neurochemical, genetic and proteomic studies to be completed, 2) provide validation of our clinical and neuro-imaging studies against neuropathological diagnosis, 3) provide a comprehensive description of the natural history of DLB, including end stage disease which has to date been neglected in follow up studies yet which poses particular difficulties in management, 4) collect data on factors marking cognitive decline and conversion to dementia in our non-demented at baseline PD group and 5) fulfil our ethical and clinical responsibilities to sustain the research programme to an end-point of autopsy as originally contracted with research participants, their families and clinicians. To achieve these aims we are requesting a minimum level of support ( 5% of the original award) to continue basic clinical assessments and autopsy follow-up for two additional years, during which period the cohort will be wound down and alternative sources of funding identified for survivors who are considered important for further study
We have assembled a comprehensive database of clinical and investigative data on this unique cohort over the last 5 years and have ethical approval to continue the study until 2010. Our primary aim in doing this is to achieve brain tissue donations from the majority of cases that have been studied to: 1) collect sufficient numbers of cases per diagnostic group to allow the originally proposed neuropathological, neurochemical, genetic and proteomic studies to be completed, 2) provide validation of our clinical and neuro-imaging studies against neuropathological diagnosis, 3) provide a comprehensive description of the natural history of DLB, including end stage disease which has to date been neglected in follow up studies yet which poses particular difficulties in management, 4) collect data on factors marking cognitive decline and conversion to dementia in our non-demented at baseline PD group and 5) fulfil our ethical and clinical responsibilities to sustain the research programme to an end-point of autopsy as originally contracted with research participants, their families and clinicians. To achieve these aims we are requesting a minimum level of support ( 5% of the original award) to continue basic clinical assessments and autopsy follow-up for two additional years, during which period the cohort will be wound down and alternative sources of funding identified for survivors who are considered important for further study