On 1 November, the members of the Amyloid Imaging to Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease (AMYPAD) project announced the completion of the enrolment of research participants in its Diagnostic and Patient Management Study (DPMS).

In this randomised clinical study, participants suspected of possible Alzheimer’s disease were included to determine the usefulness of β-amyloid imaging as a diagnostic marker for dementia.

The first participant was recruited in Geneva, Switzerland in May 2018. The study recruited individuals with Subjective Cognitive Decline plus (SCD+), Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), and dementia from eight European study centers in Amsterdam (Netherlands), Barcelona (Spain), Cologne (Germany), Geneva (Switzerland), Lausanne (Switzerland), London (United Kingdom), Stockholm (Sweden) and Toulouse (France).  

Despite the negative impact of COVID-19, the project succeeded in recruiting 844 of the planned 900 participants when recruitment was formally ended on 30 October. A total of 245 people with SCD, 342 with MCI and 258 with dementia had been enrolled and will continue to be followed as scheduled.

According to Prof. Giovanni Frisoni, group leader of the laboratory of neuroimaging of aging at the University of Geneva: “This is a truly exceptional result. Despite being hit by 2 waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, participating memory clinics were able to recruit as many as 94% of the target group size. Even a once-in-a-century pandemic was unable to stop the AMYPAD Diagnostic and Patient Management Study.”

To date, 724 scans have been performed (including 53 repeat scans) and sites are now focusing on completing all remaining scans and collecting all data for the already enrolled patients. Results on the primary endpoint are expected in mid-2021.

The consortium would like to thank all study centers for their excellent support, hard work and high flexibility during these difficult times, as well as all research participants for their willingness to participate in the project and increase our understanding of the role and impact of amyloid imaging in the diagnosis and management of Alzheimer’s disease.

For further information, visit www.amypad.eu or please contact: info@amypad.org