Summary
A large-scale study, funded by the Medical Research Council, is to investigate the risk factors which contribute to the possibility of developing dementia. A third of a million adults in the UK, all of whom participated earlier in the UK Biobank programme, are to be invited to take part. Participants, who previously submitted DNA samples and lifestyle information, will be asked to perform a series of memory and reasoning tests online. Important biomarker-related information may also be discovered.
Reference
Walsh, F. (2014). Mass memory and reasoning tests ‘track dementia risk’. London: BBC Health News, May 2nd 2014.
Possibly of Related Interest (TED Talks)
Readers may also be interested in a recent Ted Talk video: Stephen Friend: The hunt for “unexpected genetic heroes”.
Reference
Stephen Friend: The hunt for “unexpected genetic heroes”. [Online]: Ted Talks, [Recorded March 2014] May 29th 2014.
Also of relevance:
Reference
Walker, L. (2014). How large DNA banks help us to defeat dementia. London [Online]: Alzheimer’s Research UK, June 10th 2014.
Possibly of interest (regarding Biobank research):
Reference
Gallagher, J. (2015). Rare ‘healthy’ smokers lungs explained. London: BBC Health News, September 28th 2015.