Hengshui

Researchers are conducting the China Cognition and Aging Study China COAST to understand dementia and its subtypes in China, including mild cognitive impairment MCI, sporadic and familial Alzheimers disease SAD and FAD, vascular dementia VaD, and other types. This large, national, multi-center, longitudinal observational study aims to build a comprehensive database to improve diagnosis, study the causes and genetic features, monitor disease progression, and evaluate prevention and treatment strategies, including non-drug interventions. The study also focuses on education, stigma, and management of dementia in the Chinese population. Participants include individuals with MCI, SAD, FAD, VaD, normal cognitive function, and other dementias recruited from both community and hospital populations. Researchers collect detailed demographic, clinical, genetic, imaging, and biological sample data. Study procedures include clinical evaluations, neuropsychological tests, imaging such as PETMR scans, and fluid biomarker analysis. The study follows participants through repeated assessments every 2 to 3 years, tracking changes from normal cognition to MCI and dementia, and exploring risk and protective factors. Participants engage in baseline and follow-up visits involving cognitive and mental health assessments using standardized scales like MMSE, MoCA, and CDR. Genetic analyses and biomarker measurements support diagnosis and disease understanding. The study also conducts randomized controlled trials of non-pharmacological treatments and education programs aimed at improving dementia awareness and care. Safety monitoring and informed consent are carefully managed, with ongoing follow-up to track disease progression and effects of interventions over time.

Researchers are establishing and continuously improving a nationwide research network focused on Familial Alzheimers Disease FAD in China. This observational study collects detailed information on family demographics, genetics, neuropsychology, neuroimaging, and biomarkers to better understand FADs genetic features, disease progression, and diagnosis and treatment status in the Chinese population. The study aims to clarify epidemiological and clinical characteristics of FAD, discover early diagnostic biomarkers, and develop a genetic counseling model. The study includes cohorts with known mutations in PSEN1, PSEN2, and APP genes, including both mutation carriers and noncarriers, presymptomatic and symptomatic individuals, as well as normal cognitive control participants. It involves comprehensive epidemiological surveys across different nationalities and regions in China, regular collection and follow-up of biological samples like blood, urine, and saliva, and data including neuropsychology and imaging. The project uses advanced imaging methods such as structural MRI and PET scans to monitor brain changes and biomarkers at different stages of Alzheimers progression. Participants will undergo regular assessments including neuropsychological tests, brain imaging, and biomarker analysis to track disease development over time. The study measures the prevalence of gene mutations and patterns of genetic, biofluid, imaging, and cognitive markers over multiple years. It also evaluates changes in brain structure, metabolism, amyloid and tau deposition, and tests non-drug interventions. The total participation duration varies, with some measures assessed yearly for up to 10 years, supporting long-term monitoring and data collection.