Objective: There are no accurate screening guidelines or clinical criteria for subjects with Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the predementia phase. Previous studies indicated that variables should be combined to accurately identify subjects with predementia AD. Aim of the presentation is to describe the background and set-up of a study that aims to develop such guidelines and criteria using a multivariable design: the DEvelopment of Screening guidelines and clinical CRIteria for Predementia Alzheimer's disease (DESCRIPA) study.
Design: A Prospective cohort study.
Materials and Methods: Screening guidelines will be based on pooled data from six European prospective population-based studies. Variables that will be investigated as screening measures for predementia AD are demographic variables, vascular diseases and risk factors, degree of impairment in activities of daily living, cognitive test performance, and the apolipoprotein E genotype. Clinical criteria for predementia AD will be based on a prospective cohort study of 800 subjects with mild cognitive impairments from 18 outpatient clinics in 10 European countries. The follow-up will be 3 years. Variables that will be considered for the development of clinical criteria are demographic variables, vascular diseases and risk factors, degree of impairment in activities of daily living, cognitive test performance, the apolipoprotein E genotype, neuroimaging variables, and CSF measures.
Results: The study started in January 2003. The first results will be available in 2006.
Conclusion: The DESCRIPA study will be used to construct evidence-based screening guidelines and clinical criteria for predementia AD.
Acknowledgement: This study is funded by the European Commission as a Concerted Action within the 5th Framework program 'The aging population' (Contract number QLK6-CT-2002-02455)
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