Biomarker based diagnosis of rapid progressive dementias – optimisation of diagnostic protocols.

DEMTEST has established a large European and global collaboration between national surveillance units and dementia research centres, facilitating cooperation between neurologists, neuropathologists and neuroscientists. We work on standardisation of tests that are currently available and harmonise their use between centers worldwide. We define standards for biochemically based diagnosis in most relevant rapid progressive dementia such as CJD and rapidly progressive Alzheimer’s disease. We will improve innovative methods for amplification assays for mis-folded proteins and introduce their use into clinical routine. As an add-on value, we will define criteria for early differential diagnosis between rapidly progressive neurodegenerative or potentially reversible dementia.