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Principal Investigator/s: Professor Noemi Lois

Name of the Study: Recognised Extension

Why is this Study important?

Type 2 diabetes is known to be an independent risk factor for developing cognitive impairment and dementia, with studies showing that people living with T2D have a two-fold higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) when compared to the general population. AD is a neurodegenerative disease that leads to the progressive loss of brain cells, which causes cognitive decline and, eventually, dementia. People with cognitive impairment are more prone to have impaired diabetes self-management, poor glycaemic control and an increased incidence of diabetes-related complications, which presents significant challenges both for individuals and healthcare systems on how best to manage diabetes care. 

What is the Research question/aim?:

The rationale of RECOGNISED is to determine whether functional and/or structural retinal biomarkers or circulating biomarkers can be used to determine the speed of cognitive decline in people with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and those at higher risk of developing dementia. 

What the Study involves:

The main study consisted of two parts: a cross-sectional part and a longitudinal part. The cross-sectional study permitted the identification of T2D patients who were normocognitive or had MCI that were enrolled in the prospective longitudinal cohort study to evaluate end points predictive of cognitive decline.

We will extend the period of follow-up of RECOGNISED participants to 54 months with two additional visits.  At these visits besides an update on medical history (including hypoglycaemia episodes), medications, and adverse events, cognitive evaluations will be undertaken.

Who can take part in the Study?

At our site a total 26 participants are enrolled in the longitudinal study: 19 T2D patients with MCI and 7 T2D who are normo-cognitive. These patients will be invited to take part in the RECOGNISED extension.

Contact information:

Seosamh Rogers - Research Optometrist | s.rogers@qub.ac.uk 

02895040342 | 07342705509

Belfast City Hospital (U Floor)

Northern Ireland Clinical Research Facility - NI CRF.

Lisburn Rd, Belfast BT9 7AB