Biospecimen, Data or Clinical Request

Resources for Investigators

Investigators may request to use UK-ADC resources, including Cores and established subject cohorts. Interested investigators are asked to work closely with at least one of the Core Leader or Project Director. At any time, investigators may submit a request to use UK-ADC resources.

Investigators are also encouraged to review the data available at the National Alzheimer Coordinating Center (NACC) and to consider using the NACC database either as a supporting resource or as the central focus of proposed projects. (Contact Data Core for more information: Richard Kryscio, Ph.D.)

The UK-ADC presently shares data (de-identified) with the NIA national database (NACC) and independent qualified investigators within and outside the UK-ADC.

The UK-ADC shares research resources with NACC, NACC collaborative initiatives, ADNI, other ADCs, qualified investigators at the University of Kentucky, and any qualified investigators in the general scientific community.

Investigators must agree to acknowledge NIA funding (P30 AG028383) and to submit accepted manuscripts to PubMed Central.

Confidentiality of UK-ADC subjects is carefully protected.

How to Make a Request

Requests for data, specimens, or use of established subject cohorts are made to the UK-ADC Executive Committee by contacting the Core Leaders listed below. After working with an ADC Core Leader, investigators who are interested in using ADC resources should submit a written request for review by the Executive Committee.

University of Kentucky Alzheimer's Disease Center Tissue Bank

The UK ADC Tissue Bank comprises anonymized brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid from patients followed in clinic.  Post-mortem interval on frozen brain tissue is often <4hrs and all patients have cutting-edge clinical diagnoses in consultation with neurologists, neuropathologists, neuropsychologists, and other staff members in the ADC clinic.  All our actions are guided by the principle of deep respect for our patients and the desire to better treat the diseases that afflict them.  We operate under detailed guidelines that conform to the National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health "Biospecimen Best Practice Guidelines for Alzheimer's Disease Centers."

Consistent with these guidelines, investigators requesting tissue from the Core will be asked for the following:

• Signed IRB approval document
• Letter of agreement for transfer of material
• funding source and period of grant support
• FEDEX or other shipping account number
• Project Title and brief abstract about basis for tissue request
• Other pertinent details (type of tissue, method of preparation, types and numbers of clinical diagnoses preferred)

For a biospecimen request application click here.

Database Request

The Biostatistical and Data Management Core (BDMC) serves as a data collection and analytic hub for the UK-ADC. Since its inception in 1990, this Core has created and maintained a large centralized database to facilitate efficient, accurate, and timely management of UK-ADC data.

A wealth of information is available on our longitudinal cohort. For example, our centralized database consists of clinical data on 4,765 subjects. This includes 1,000 subjects enrolled as cognitively intact at entry having 7,009 person years of follow-up and of these 266 have come to autopsy after 2,321 person years of follow-up. This is a critical resource for investigators who request snapshots of the centralized database.

Statistical and Research Study Design Consultation

The BDMC offers regular consulting on experimental design, data analysis, and statistical power considerations to all investigators affiliated with the UK-ADC. This Core is integrated into the UK-ADC by providing a link among its data, modern analytic methodology, and the science practiced by UK-ADC and affiliated investigators who represent a wide variety of disciplines conducting dementia research.

Clinical Resources and Community Registry Database

We maintain a Community Registry Database of participants aged 65 and older from the local geographic area who responded to a letter and questionnaire. Demographic information entered into the database includes: birth date, gender, education, race, income and self-rated health status. This database is used to recruit participants for our longitudinal cohorts and is popular with local aging researchers who require older participants with particular demographic profiles.

To Collaborate

To discuss collaboration, please contact the Center Director, Linda J. Van Eldik, Ph.D. at 859-323-6040.