CoCoA-PAD

Co-Production and Evaluation of the Computerised Cognitive Assessment for Preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease
Elderly man and health carer using a tablet

CoCoA-PAD

Co-Production and Evaluation of the Computerised Cognitive Assessment for Preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease
Title: Co-Production and Evaluation of the Computerised Cognitive Assessment for Preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease (CoCoA-PAD)
Funding amount: £479,551
Location: Plymouth
Dates: 2025–2028
Project partners: Dr Rupert Noad, Consultant Neuropsychologist at University Hospitals Plymouth; Dr Lizzy Atkins, Consultant Neuropsychologist at Livewell Southwest; Dr Jon Scott, Clinical Psychologist at Livewell Southwest; Oreoluwa Ogundipe, Neurofusion Inc; Dr Melanie Jouati, University of Birmingham; Dr Abdel Karim Al-Tamimi, Sheffield Hallam University
University of Plymouth PI: Dr Donnchadh Murphy  

Summary

Alzheimer's disease affects people's thinking skills and memory. Preclinical Alzheimer's disease describes people with the Alzheimer's disease proteins in their brain but without severe problems with thinking skills and memory. The NHS is working to design services for these people, and researchers around the world are developing interventions to boost brain health and delay people's memory from declining. 
Cognitive assessments measure someone's memory and thinking skills. They give memory professions information about how severe the disease is, and they inform treatment decisions. But there are two barriers that prevent cognitive assessments being used for preclinical Alzheimer's disease in the NHS:
  1. The tests we currently use do not detect the early difficulties caused by preclinical Alzheimer's disease
  2. Cognitive assessments are delivered by neuropsychologists, and there is a national shortage of neuropsychologists. 
Overall, the tests we have in the NHS are not good enough and we don't have the staff to deliver them. As such, we are unable to meet the need of the population.

Our solution

There is a need for a new cognitive assessment that can be delivered by non-neuropsychologists. This project will adapt the best new cognitive tests from research into a single package, called CoCoA-PAD, drawing on the experience and expertise of a team that includes:
  • Five older adults, some of whom have neurological conditions
  • Two memory nurses
  • Five assistant psychologists
  • Seven clinical psychologists and neuropsychologists
CoCoA-PAD cognitive assessment process diagram

Research aims

This research will answer four key questions:
  1. Does CoCoA-PAD detect the difficulties caused by preclinical Alzheimer's disease?
  2. Are scores on CoCoA-PAD linked to the health of certain brain regions?
  3. Does CoCoA-PAD detect cognitive decline?
  4. Can non-psychologists be trained to deliver CoCoA-PAD?

What's involved

We are looking to recruit 120 people aged 65 and over who do not have a diagnosis of dementia, but who experience difficulties with their memory and thinking skills, to take: 
  • A two-hour cognitive assessment
  • A blood test
  • For people from Devon, a 30-minute MRI scan at the  Brain Research & Imaging Centre (BRIC)  
  • A repeat two-hour cognitive assessment one year later.

Join the study

The CoCoA-PAD project aims to develop better tests to diagnose dementia earlier. By participating in this study, you can help shape NHS healthcare for people with memory problems.

Who can take part?

People who meet these criteria may be able to take part:
  • You are aged 65 years or older
  • Your memory has deteriorated in the last five years
  • You are worried about your memory problems
  • You do not have a diagnosis of dementia or brain injury
  • You are a fluent English speaker.

What's involved?

  • Memory tests and puzzles
  • Health questions
  • A blood test
  • An MRI scan (optional)
  • A one-year follow up appointment.

Key facts

  • The appointment lasts two-to-three hours
  • Two shorter appointments can be arranged, if needed
  • You do not need any computer skills
  • Travel, including taxi fare, will be paid
  • You will be given a £40 voucher for taking part
  • You will not receive a medical diagnosis
  • Your data will be anonymised and stored securely.
To join the study or find out more, please register your interest or contact us at cocoa.research@plymouth.ac.uk

University of Plymouth researchers

Funded by

Facilitated by the Brain Research & Imaging Centre

The Brain Research & Imaging Centre (BRIC) is the most advanced multi-modal brain research facility in the South West and represents a sea-change in research capability in the field of human neuroscience.
The integration of world-leading expertise and technology in our cutting-edge brain research laboratories places the University of Plymouth at the forefront of the exploration of human brain structure and function in health and disease.
BRIC

A centre for dementia research excellence

The University of Plymouth's Community and Primary Care Research Centre (CPCRC) is targeting dementia as one of its key research themes. We are at the forefront of advancing dementia research, with a focus on improving the support and quality of life of people with dementia and their carers. 
The Centre's research is often directed towards those individuals who are the most excluded or disempowered, have mental health problems and have difficulty accessing services. 
 
Health carer holding hands of an elderly patient