The Alzheimer Prevention Trials (APT) Webstudy has successfully enrolled 30,650 participants, marking a significant step forward in establishing a Trial-ready Cohort for Preclinical and Prodromal Alzheimer's disease (TRC-PAD). This web-based longitudinal observational study aims to identify individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease for potential enrollment in future prevention trials.
Remote Enrollment and Participant Demographics
The APT Webstudy utilizes remote enrollment strategies to recruit volunteers aged 50 and older who are interested in Alzheimer's research. As of April 2020, the study had reached its substantial enrollment milestone, with a significant portion of participants (69.7%) being referred from existing online registries focused on brain health and Alzheimer's disease research. Email communications from these registries proved to be the most effective means of recruitment.
The demographic composition of the APT Webstudy reflects the characteristics of the referral registries, with 73.1% of participants being female, 85.0% highly educated, and 92.5% Caucasian. Participants are distributed across the United States, enhancing the study's generalizability.
Study Design and Assessments
Participants in the APT Webstudy undergo quarterly cognitive and functional assessments conducted remotely. These assessments are designed to monitor cognitive changes and identify individuals who may be in the preclinical or prodromal stages of Alzheimer's disease. Individuals identified through these assessments are then referred to participating sites for in-clinic testing and biomarker confirmation, which is crucial for determining eligibility for the Trial-ready Cohort (TRC).
Significance for Alzheimer's Prevention
The establishment of the TRC-PAD through the APT Webstudy addresses a critical need in Alzheimer's disease research: the identification of individuals who can benefit from early intervention strategies. By enrolling a large cohort of at-risk individuals and monitoring their cognitive function over time, the APT Webstudy facilitates the development and testing of novel prevention therapies. The study's reliance on remote enrollment and online assessments also enhances its accessibility and scalability, making it a valuable resource for Alzheimer's disease research.
