What is the DIAN Study?
This is a longitudinal, observational study for individuals in ADAD families. Participants will visit Butler Hospital every other year for memory testing, brain scans, and laboratory procedures. During intervening years, a research coordinator will conduct an assessment over the phone
What is the Purpose of the DIAN Study?
DIAN is an international research partnership of leading scientists determined to understand a rare, early onset form of Alzheimer’s disease caused by a genetic mutation in one of three genes. Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer’s disease (ADAD) typically causes memory loss and dementia in the 30’s to 50’s and has a strong family history with approximately 50 percent of descendants being affected by the disease. ADAD is very rare as it makes up only 1 percent of the total cases of Alzheimer’s disease. Understanding this form of early, familial Alzheimer's disease may provide clues to decoding other dementias and may aide in developing dementia treatments.
Eligibility
DIAN is currently enrolling study participants who are biological adult children of a parent who carries a genetic mutation known to cause a rare, early onset form of Alzheimer’s disease. Study participants must be younger than the age at which their parent began displaying Alzheimer’s symptoms. Participants may or may not carry the gene themselves and may or may not have disease symptoms. Interested individuals can learn more about their eligibility by contacting the Memory and Aging Program Outreach Team at 401-455-6402 or by sending an email to memory@butler.org.
To learn more about the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer’s Network, its research, the families involved and the latest news visit dian.wustl.edu.
