Journal article
The Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) study of aging: methodology and baseline characteristics of 1112 individuals recruited for a longitudinal study of Alzheimer's disease
Kathryn A Ellis, Ashley I Bush, David Darby, Daniela De Fazio, Jonathan Foster, Peter Hudson, Nicola I Lautenschlager, Nat Lenzo, Ralph N Martins, Paul Maruff, Colin Masters, Andrew Milner, Kerryn Pike, Christopher Rowe, Greg Savage, Cassandra Szoeke, Kevin Taddei, Victor Villemagne, Michael Woodward, David Ames
International Psychogeriatrics | CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS | Published : 2009
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) flagship study of aging aimed to recruit 1000 individuals aged over 60 to assist with prospective research into Alzheimer's disease (AD). This paper describes the recruitment of the cohort and gives information about the study methodology, baseline demography, diagnoses, medical comorbidities, medication use, and cognitive function of the participants. METHODS: Volunteers underwent a screening interview, had comprehensive cognitive testing, gave 80 ml of blood, and completed health and lifestyle questionnaires. One quarter of the sample also underwent amyloid PET brain imaging with Pittsburgh compound B (PiB PET) and MRI bra..
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Funding Acknowledgements
Core funding for the study was provided by CSIRO, which was supplemented by "in kind" contributions from the study partners (see Appendix 2). The AIBL investigators thank Richard Head of CSIRO for initiating and facilitating the AIBL collaboration. The study also received support from the National Health and Medical Research Council via the Dementia Collaborative Research Centres program (DCRC2). Pfizer International has contributed financial support to assist with analysis of blood samples and to further the AIBL research program. Ashley Bush is supported by a Federation Fellowship from the Australian Research Council. Cassandra Szoeke is partially supported by a research fellowship funded by Alzheimer's Australia. Alzheimer's Australia (Victoria and Western Australia) assisted with promotion of the study and the screening of telephone calls from volunteers. The AIBL team wishes to thank the following clinicians who referred patients with AD and/or MCI to the study: Professor David Ames, Associate Professor Brian Chambers, Professor Edmond Chiu, Dr Roger Clarnette, Associate Professor David Darby, Dr Mary Davison, Dr John Drago, Dr Peter Drysdale, Dr Jacqui Gilbert, Dr Is'-wang Lim, Professor Nicola Lautenschlager, Dr Dina LoGiudice, Dr Peter McCardle, Dr Steve McFarlane, Dr Alastair Mander, Dr John Merory, Professor Daniel O'Connor, Professor Christopher Rowe, Dr Ron Scholes, Dr Mathew Samuel, Dr Darshan Trivedi, and Associate Professor Michael Woodward. We thank all those who participated in the study for their commitment and dedication to helping advance research into the early detection and causation of AD.