An update on the Markers in Neuropsychiatric Disorders Study (The MiND Study):
At just under two years into the study, the team are pleased to report that they have recruited over 450 participants across general practices, memory clinics, and medical specialist (neurology, geriatrics, psychiatry) consulting room across Australia. This is an extremely positive response, particularly given the challenges that COVID-19 has presented.
‘High levels of Neurofilament light (NfL), a biomarker of nerve cell injury, have been found to distinguish dementia from psychiatric illness and non-dementia, with high-accuracy,’ says Professor Dennis Velakoulis, Director of Neuropsychiatry and Study Lead at the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH).
‘The MiND Study will demonstrate how well a blood test for NfL works, in a large number of people with diverse symptoms, and in broad settings such as primary care, all over Australia. Our ultimate aim is clinical translation: to lead to a simple, routinely available blood test for GPs and other specialists, to help reduce misdiagnosis and delay to accurate diagnosis and treatment, and improve outcomes for patients, their families, and healthcare systems,’ says Chief Investigator of the Study and PhD student, Dr Dhamidhu Eratne.
The study continues to welcome referrals from general practitioners nationally for patients aged 40–80, with recent (within five years) cognitive, psychiatric, and/or neurological symptoms.
Eligibility criteria is available online and involves a 2-minute online referral form. The study team will take it from there, managing all aspects of patient recruitment. The main requirement for patients is also minimal: a simple blood test, which can be done close to home.
To learn more about this game-changing research in neuropsychiatry, please visit – www.themindstudy.org.
Get social with the Study team @themindstudy.