DIADEM: Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and related dementia

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 00.0525-1

Key words (English)

Alzheimer's; diagnostic tools; therapeutic strategies;
Biotechnology; Environmental Protection; Innovation; Technology Transfer; Life Sciences; Medicine; Health; Waste Management

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: QLK3-CT-2001-02362

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 5. Frame Research Programme - 1.1.3 The 'cell factory'

Short description (English)

See abstract

Partners and International Organizations (English)

Coordinator: VERUM, München (D)

Abstract (English)

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementia are irreversible, degenerative disorders of the brain characterised by progressive cognitive decline, the loss of personality and finally death. Because of the impact on individuals and due to the enormous costs for health care and thus for society, these disorders present a major health problem to the EU. Treatment that can prevent, arrest and reverse degeneration and death of neurons is therefore urgently required. Prerequisite is the development of diagnostic tools that identify patients at an early pre-symptomatic stage. A consortium of 21 of the most experienced AD laboratories from Europe and beyond will carry out a research project integrating data from studies with tissue cultures and genetically modified animals into a clinical investigation of demented patients. A broad array of bio - technological methods will be used. Results of these studies will lead to diagnostic screening strategies combining genetic, pathophysiological and biomarker information.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 00.0525-1