Dement Neurocogn Disord.
2024 Oct;23(4):212-223. 10.12779/dnd.2024.23.4.212.
Korea-Registries to Overcome Dementia and Accelerate Dementia Research (K-ROAD): A Cohort for Dementia Research and Ethnic-Specific Insights
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- 2Department of Neurology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- 3Department of Neurology, Kangwon National University Hospital, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea
- 4Department of Neurology, Jeonbuk National University Medical School and Hospital, Jeonju, Korea
- 5Department of Neurology, Chungnam National University Hospital, School of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea
- 6Department of Neurology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
- 7Department of Neurology, Inje University College of Medicine, Haeundae Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea
- KMID: 2560832
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.12779/dnd.2024.23.4.212
Abstract
- Background and Purpose
Dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, is a significant global health concern, with early diagnosis and treatment development being critical goals. While numerous cohorts have advanced dementia research, there is a lack of comprehensive data on ethnic differences, particularly for the Korean population. The Korea-Registries to Overcome Dementia and Accelerate Dementia Research (K-ROAD) aims to establish a large-scale, hospital-based dementia cohort to address this gap, with a focus on understanding disease progression, developing early diagnostics, and supporting treatment advancements specific to the Korean population.
Methods
K-ROAD comprises multiple prospective cohorts. Participants underwent clinical evaluations, neuroimaging, and biomarker analysis, with data collected on a range of clinical and genomic markers.
Results
As of December 2023, K-ROAD has recruited over 5,800 participants, including individuals across the Alzheimer’s clinical syndrome, subcortical vascular cognitive impairment, and frontotemporal dementia spectra. Preliminary findings highlight significant ethnic differences in amyloid positivity, cognitive decline, and biomarker profiles, compared to Western cohorts.
Conclusions
The K-ROAD cohort offers a unique and critical resource for dementia research, providing insights into ethnic-specific disease characteristics and biomarker profiles. These findings will contribute to the development of personalized diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to dementia, enhancing global understanding of the disease.
