BIOMARKAPD is a multi-national research project comprising 51 sites in 21 countries, including Ireland. This JPND (joint programme on neurodegenerative diseases) funded collaborative research project aims to develop optimally informative biomarkers for AD and PD and the harmonisation of their use. The Irish strand of BIOMARKPD aims to; standardise biomarker measurement and interpretation nationally; develop and make available a CSF test for ND biomarkers in AD and PD; Establish and sustain a registry of ND; and bring clarity to biomarker interpretation to support diagnosis.
Research
DRNI Members Research is a list of ongoing and completed research carried out by DRNI members.
You can search via project type, disease, or Principal Investigator/Researcher name.
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Research type
Disease area
- Dementia (including Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias) (64)
- Parkinson's Disease and related disorders (16)
- Motor Neurone Disease (14)
- Neurodegenerative Disease (12)
- Lewy Body Dementia (2)
- Mild Cognitive Impairment (1)
- Not specified (1)
- Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Corticobasal Syndrome (1)
- Young Onset Dementia (1)
Field of research
- Basic/Discovery Research (38)
- Clinical Research (27)
- Social Research (13)
- Public Health (6)
- Connected Health (5)
- Economic Research (4)
- Brain Health (3)
- Assistive technology for dementia (2)
- Clinical Research, Social Research, Connected Health, Economic Research (2)
- Health Services Research (2)
- Neurodegeneration (2)
- Social research, Economic research (2)
- Ageing and Nutrition research (1)
- Digital palliative care (1)
- Gait Speed and Technology (1)
- Nursing care (1)
- Occupational Therapy (1)
- Pharmacology & Therapeutics (1)
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases (AD and PD) are the two most common neurodegenerative conditions. They cause major costs for society and suffering and death for millions of patients around the globe. In Europe, more than 8 million individuals have AD or PD. Current treatments are symptomatic but do not stop the underlying disease process. Using biomarkers, we can detect biochemical changes that show when neurons start to die. There are also biochemical tests for brain changes that are specific to AD and PD.
BIOMARKAPD is a multi-national research project comprising 51 sites in 21 countries, including Ireland. This JPND (Joint Programme on Neurodegenerative Diseases) funded collaborative research project aims to develop optimally informative biomarkers for AD and PD and the harmonisation of their use. The Irish strand of BIOMARKPD aims to; standardise biomarker measurement and interpretation nationally; develop and make available a CSF test for ND biomarkers in AD and PD; Establish and sustain a registry of ND; and bring clarity to biomarker interpretation to support diagnosis.
One promising approach for the treatment of PD is cellular brain repair whereby the cells that have died in the condition are replaced by transplantation of healthy cells into the brain. However, this approach has faced several limitations including poor survival of the transplanted cells in the PD brain. To address this limitation, we have recently shown that biomaterials - that is, materials that have been specifically engineered to interact with living systems for therapeutic purposes – have the potential to dramatically improve cellular brain repair for PD.
BrainMatTrain focuses on a comprehensive understanding of Parkinson’s disease, from basics to translation, fully supported by eight full partners (four research institutions, two hospitals, two SMEs) and one partner organisation (SME specialist in device design). This European Training Network will educate and train 15 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) in functionalised biomaterials, materials science, functionalisation strategies, molecular biology, stem cell biology, in vitro model systems, in vivo neuroimaging, preclinical models and prototype design.
Mounting evidence suggests that dietary caffeine intake may exert some beneficial effects in reducing dementia risk and possibly Alzheimer’s disease, and may be a viable therapeutic approach. Clinical studies also suggest that caffeine is a cognitive normalizer and not a cognitive enhancer. Moreover, some clinical studies suggest the neuroprotective effect of caffeine might be confounded by gender.
1. Overview of Research Plans.
This project aims to co-design and co-create a holistic digital health and well-being platform with and for people with dementia to provide enhanced dementia self-management support. The platform will integrate a visual personalised care plan for people living with dementia, provide timely access to services and supports when required, tailored to the specific needs of a person living with dementia and their carers, to support them to live independently in their own homes.