Biomarkers & SOP

Biomarkers correlates of GWAS risk factors
Peripheral biomarkers of endophenotypes of neurodegeneration
Quality control
Multiplex validation of biomarkers
Discovery of novel biomarkers based on translational approaches (animal human)
Validation of biomarkers in interventional studies
Identification of new genetic traits
Epigenetic signatures that can be used as biomarkers to differentiate normal ageing from neurodegeneration
Establishing multinational pilot cohorts to standardise SOPs
Development and validation (including other biomarkers) of novel measures of subjective, cognitive and functional impairments
Using cognitive measures to model high risk groups

Animal Models

Improving current animal models to address issues with different genetic backgrounds, the relation to acute and chronic disease, translation into clinical studies, and the validity of single pathway knockout vs broader mechanistic models

Development of community resources such as GWAS validation centre, iPS cell models, mouse model repository and cognitive test batteries for behavioural outputs in mice and rats

Development of new technologies such as bioluminescence and methods to monitor real time progression of disease

Research based programmes such as identification of new biomarkers and common mechanisms across species and diseases

Development and use of novel technologies and new approaches to cognitive assessment to identify early biological and behavioral changes that may be common to neurodegenerative diseases, and effects of therapeutic interventions, in different populations (families, etc.)

Use of existing data to develop and evolve common platforms and standardized processes for
- analyzing & exchanging data,
- sharing of methodological tools

Study of rare dementias that require multiple sites to generate a sufficient sample size to describe natural course of disease and effects of therapeutic interventions.