The University of Hong Kong Neurocognitive Disorder Cohort

The HKU Neurocognitive Disorder (NCD) Cohort is a hospital-based, prospective, observational study of older HK Chinese adults with cognitive impairment, with a special focus on studying patients with subjective cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment, and in particular the biomarkers that predict cognitive and functional decline.

Comprehensive profiling of each subject is performed through a multi-domain assessment protocol including detailed demographics, lifestyle factors, neuropsychological battery, mood, MRI, genetics, blood biomarkers, and other patient-centred parameters including level of disability, quality of life and societal engagement. Ongoing annual follow up captures the essential clinical events and changes in neurocognitive function (conversion to MCI or dementia), mood, level of disability and quality of life; as well as repeat blood tests.

The HKU NCD Cohort is the first-ever Asian dementia cohort to be formally included into the Dementia Platforms UK, achieving an international collaborative status with other UK-based cohorts. The study neuropsychological battery is aligned with the NACC UDS3 battery.