The PROTECT Study (Platform for Research Online To Investigate Genetics and Cognition & Ageing)

Aims
The PROTECT Study is an online-based study via a Platform for Research Online To Investigate Genetics and Cognition & Ageing. The study aims to improve understanding of the ageing brain and why some people develop dementia. Participants in PROTECT provide information such as demographics and lifestyle and complete online assessments of cognitive abilities. By repeating these assessments each year, the study team are able to monitor change over the study. Participants also provide a sample of their DNA through a simple at-home kit.

Institution
University of Exeter Medical School & Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London

Geographic coverage - Nations
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland

Geographic coverage - Regions
Nationwide

Start date
2014

Catalogue record last updated
10/04/2024

Sample type
Cohort study (ongoing recruitment)

Sample details
Recruitment commenced in November 2015. Inclusion criteria were adults over the age of 50 years, who live in the UK, have a good working understanding of English, and are able to use a computer with Internet access. Individuals with an established diagnosis of dementia were excluded. The study was widely publicized in the national media, in addition to recruitment via established cohorts of older adults. Recruitment is ongoing, with a change in the age eligibility to now include adults over the age of 40 years. Potential participants register via the online website and download the study information sheet. Participants are followed up annually, with data collection taking place approximately yearly after baseline such that data is collected across the year. Minor updates are made to questionnaires approximately yearly, as detailed in the data collection timeline below.

Sample size at recruitment
14,000

Sample size at most recent sweep
25,000

Sex
All

Age at recruitment
40 years +

Cohort year of birth
1914-70