DIAN Observational Study
The Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network (DIAN) Observational Study enables researchers around the world to monitor and identify changes in individuals who carry one of the gene mutations (Presenilin1, Presenilin2 or APP) known to cause dominantly inherited Alzheimer’s disease (DIAD). There is currently no treatment that can prevent or delay the progression of AD, and no new treatments have been approved in over ten years. DIAN aims to define the natural history of AD and establish reliable biomarkers that track with disease.
Our goals
Research suggests that brain changes may occur years before actual Alzheimer’s symptoms are detected. DIAN evaluates participants at entry and longitudinally thereafter with standardized clinical and cognitive testing, brain imaging, and biological fluid collection (blood, cerebrospinal fluid) with the goal of determining the sequence of changes in pre-symptomatic gene carriers who are destined to develop AD. Another goal is to establish a research database and tissue repository to support research by other investigators around the world. Knowledge gained from the Observational Study may lead to therapeutic options to detect and treat DIAD at its earliest stages — or prevent it all together.
Leadership
Principal investigator of this international study is Randall Bateman, MD, Charles F. and Joanne Knight Distinguished Professor of Neurology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
Funding
DIAN was established in 2008 with the grant U19 AG032438 to Washington University (JC Morris, PI) from the National Institute on Aging (see full grant details here). Generous support also was provided by grants from an anonymous foundation and from the philanthropy of F Simmons and O Mohan. To date, this project continues to be supported by the National Institute on Aging (DIAN, U19AG032438), the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Raul Carrea Institute for Neurological Research (FLENI), the Research and Development Grants for Dementia from Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, AMED, and the Korea Health Technology R&D Project through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), and the Korea Dementia Research Center (KDRC), funded by the Korean Ministry of Health & Welfare and Ministry of Science & ICT.
Study participation
Interested in joining the DIAN Observational study? DIAN is actively enrolling biological adult children of a parent with a mutated gene known to cause dominantly inherited Alzheimer’s disease.
Learn more about participation »
For investigators
Visit Investigator Resources for a technical description of the study, instructions for how to get involved, instructions for accessing resources and participation policies.