Genetics analysis

The aim is to investigate the association of dementia and associated conditions with putative genetic factors, and, where possible, to investigate gene: environment interactions, providing results which are generalisable to the older population of England and Wales.

Blood or saliva samples

A 30ml sample of blood was taken from all willing participants after being interviewed during the 1996 round of CFAS. If a respondent was unable or unwilling to provide a blood sample they were asked if they would provide a sample of saliva instead. Blood samples were sent by 1st class post, the same day they were taken, to the EPIC study laboratory for processing.

Blood or saliva samples were taken from 1733 participants having assessment interviews during 1997. Other blood samples have also been taken from smaller subgroups of participants at other times during the study and in total there are 2670 samples stored.

Brain Donation

The brain donation programme is managed locally in each centre. Individuals selected for assessment interviews were approached by a trained liaison officer who discussed the donation programme with the respondent and his or her family or carers as appropriate. For those who were willing a pre-mortem ‘Declaration of Intent’ (DOI) to donate their brain at autopsy was set up. When an individual dies the research team is notified and the next of kin is approached to give their consent for brain donation and retention. Limited or full necropsy only proceeds if all permissions are obtained.

The number of successful donations is now over 500. The blood and brain donation program are still running.

Preparation of brain tissue archive

The brains are dealt with according to local practices resulting in some variation between centres in the dissection, sampling and storage of brain tissues.

Completed brain donations are subcategorised according to their status in the core study. The most informative donations are derived from respondents who entered the assessment phase and for whom there is sequential data on cognitive performance. The brain donor programme was set up to target this group as they had provided the most information during life. There is an intensive programme of research now investigating the collection from a rarely of angles.

There have been many findings reported in this area, papers can be searched by using the form in the "Publications" section.

 

 

 

 

Health and Society

CFA Studies

Aims of the CFA Studies

Design of the CFA Studies

Biological Samples

Summary of Findings

Prevalence of Dementia

Prevalence of Dementia in Institutional Care

Incidence of Dementia

Risk Factors for Dementia

Disability and Healthy Ageing

Costs of Dementia

Healthy Active Life Expectancy

Neuropathology

Supplementary Information From Publications

Operationalisation of Mild Cognitive Impairment