1) To build a biorepository of blood samples from a memory disorders clinic population, 2) To make samples available to Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) researchers, 3) To further characterize the samples with plasma biomarkers

The Duke University Memory Disorders Clinic receives requests from researchers for participants from our clinic population and enrolls patients in clinical trials. Results of demographic and clinical information, genetic testing and plasma biomarkers will characterize patients for referral to research studies with increased accuracy.

We approach Duke Memory Disorders Clinic patients to contribute a blood sample for ADRC research. Staff processes and stores the sample. A portion is banked at the National Centralized Repository for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (NCRAD). NCRAD performs APOE testing free of charge and returns results to Duke. Staff enters patient demographics and clinical information from the EHR into a REDCap database. Information from REDCap including APOE status is gathered in a publicly viewed secure web-based platform developed at Duke called the Alzheimer's disease RElational and iNtegrated dAtaset (ARENA). Researchers at Duke and outside institutions can request samples or participants.

We collected samples from 115 patients. Patients continue to be enrolled. Demographics include 85% white participants, 11% black participants, 4% other race/unknown; 56% female; 55% with family history of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia; average age 76. Diagnoses include 40% mild cognitive impairment; 27% clinical Alzheimer’s disease; 24% dementia; 14% normal cognition; 3% subjective cognitive impairment. Average MoCA score is 20. The rate of APOE 4 status is overall 53% with 5% APOE 2/4, 38% APOE 3/4, 10% APOE 4/4.  

The rate of APOE4 in the biorepository is higher than in the general population. The biorepository provides a rich source of APOE4 samples and participants for research. In the future, we will evaluate plasma-based biomarkers (NfL, Aβ40/42, p-tau).