Circulating Ghrelin as a Biomarker for Dementia
The primary objective of this study will explore whether circulating acyl-ghrelin (AG) and unacylated-ghrelin (UAG) are reduced in neurodegenerative disease associated with cognitive impairment. It will focus on validating pilot data generated following the analysis of Parkinson's disease (PD), Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD) and healthy cohorts (IRAS project ID: 250933). In addition to the advantages of study replication we will extend the analysis to include two further patient groups that are associated with cognitive impairments, namely, Alzheimer's dementia (AD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). This study will increase confidence in the replication of our findings. This will be a cross-sectional study using peripheral venous blood.
• Age \> 60 years
• Subject or carer / legal representative is willing to sign consent document
⁃ Specific criteria for each group;
⁃ Parkinson's Disease
• PD diagnosed by a movement disorder specialist and meets the diagnosis of PD
• MoCA \> 26/30
• No evidence of cognitive symptoms causing functional impairment
⁃ Parkinson's Disease Dementia
• PD diagnosed by a movement disorder specialist
• Duration of motor symptoms \> 1 year
• Meets MDS task force criteria for PDD
• MoCA \< 21/30
⁃ Dementia with Lewy Bodies
• Meets criteria for probable DLB as defined by the 4th report of the DLB consortium
⁃ Alzheimer's Disease
• Meets criteria for probable AD dementia (consistent with NIA/AA core clinical criteria for probable AD dementia)