Alzheimer's disease:

• An estimated 25 million people worldwide suffer from dementia. In the UK alone, dementia affects over 800,000 people with an estimated annual cost of care of £6.1 billion
• The incidence of dementia increases from 5% in the over 65s to 20% in the over 80s
• Presently, no definitive diagnosis for Alzheimer's disease is accessible to clinicians
• There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease but symptomatic treatments to improve memory and to reduce distressing symptoms are available

The differences between 'normal ageing', 'mild cognitive impairment' and 'dementia' remain unclear.

• This highlights the need for sensitive and specific biological markers (biomarkers) that can aid early diagnosis and to monitor progression of Alzheimer's disease
• Preferably, biomarkers which may be measured and monitored by relatively non-invasive techniques such as a blood test
• At present no such biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease are available

The primary questions for the Alzheimer's disease study will be:

• Can biomarkers differentiate Alzheimer's disease from normal ageing?
• Can a biomarker or biomarkers predict:
• The progression of the disease from mild to moderate, and moderate to severe?
• The rate of and pattern of cognitive and functional decline?
• The response to treatment, and therefore help to manage the condition appropriately?

Recruitment of subjects for this study is currently being conducted with the assistance of:

• Alzheimer's Society
• DeNDRoN
• Memory Clinics throughout the North West