PREVENT Study

Background

The goal of this study is to help doctors diagnose dementia sooner by using “biomarkers” or signals in the body, such as MR Imaging. 

Why study dementia?

Dementia can cause significant impairments in many areas of brain functioning including memory, thinking, language, mood, and behavior. These impairments can place an enormous burden on individuals with dementia and their families. By 2037, the prevalence of dementia in Canada is expected to double and there is currently no cure. This means that extensive efforts to prevent dementia are urgently needed. 

Late-life dementia often begins many years before symptoms are detected. Earlier diagnosis of dementia could be key to helping prevent or delay the onset of dementia symptoms. Studies have now shown that patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a “mini-stroke,” have a 4-times higher rate of developing late-life dementia. However, there is limited research on how to determine which individuals with TIA will develop dementia and why. 

About this study

Our goal is to investigate the connection between TIAs and dementia, to help improve diagnosis, prevention, and intervention for people who are at a higher risk of developing dementia. We hypothesize that individuals who have had a TIA will be more likely to show early signs of dementia compared to healthy individuals over a 5-year period. The PREVENT study will collect data on 600 individuals using cognitive testing, blood samples, and brain imaging at taken at baseline, 1, 3 and 5 years. We may also gather additional data, such as cerebrospinal fluid. Both the blood samples and cerebrospinal fluid will allow us to detect genetic markers or proteins that are associated with dementia. 

Although the causes of dementia are complex, the two most common forms of dementia (vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease) are associated with modifiable heart-health risk factors (e.g., high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity). Consequently, the early identification of individuals at high risk for developing these types of dementia may allow for future targeted therapeutic interventions, such as aggressive management of vascular risk factors, to prevent cognitive decline. 

What Do Participants Do?

If you agree to participate in this study and you meet all of the eligibility criteria, you would be enrolled as a healthy control participant. 

What happens during the study?

  • This study involves four appointments over the course of 5 years: starting at baseline, with follow up appointments at 1, 3, and 5 years.
  • Appointments for the PREVENT study happen at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary, Alberta. Each appointment will include an MRI*, a blood sample, and a cognitive test. Appointments typically take 4 hours but may vary.
  • An optional component of the study is the lumbar puncture, which allows us to measure proteins found in the cerebrospinal fluid. If you consent to the lumbar puncture, it will be done once during the study as a separate appointment. 

What information is collected as part of this study?

  • We will collect personal information including your name, date of birth, contact information, and medical history. We may also review your health records and access your medical history and blood parameters such as random and fasting glucose, lipid profile as part of the study.

What happens to my blood samples?

  • Blood samples will be analyzed using different types of tests including APOE genotyping.
  • These samples will be stored at the Foothill Medical Center, and may later be sent to other facilities for further analysis.

*The 1-year follow up appointment may not include an MRI.

heart and brain together

Interested in Joining the PREVENT Study?

Check your eligibility using the following criteria. If you are eligible, please fill out the following form and submit it, we would love to have you as part of our study!

Recruitment notice: we are currently focusing on recruiting male controls for this study. If you are a woman and interested in participating as a control, you may still submit the form and we will contact you if we increase the target number of participants in this study. 

Collection of personal information
Your personal information is collected under the authority of section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. If you have any questions about the collection or use of this information, please visit our Access to Information page.