Large Cohort Studies | Center for Applied Neuroscience

AGING: NEUROAGE

The Neurocognitive Study for the Aging (www.clinicaltrials.gov, ID: NCT01481246).
PI: Fofi Constantinidou.
Purpose: First systematic research program, initially funded by the Cyprus Research Promotion foundation and with subsequent EU funding, exploring neurobehavioral performance, health indices, biological markers, and quality of life issues in Greek-Cypriots throughout Cyprus. Method: A prospective observational longitudinal study with rolling admission process.
Cohort: 1000 Healthy adults over 40 who are community dwellers; a subsample of 200 with MCI/dementia. Retention rate >85%.
Duration and testing cycles: 8 years, testing repeated every two years; currently testing the fourth wave.
Dependent Measures: Comprehensive neuropsychological (all); Cardiovascular and Health (all) Genetic Polymorphisms (APOE4 plus 60 NSPs n = 500); MRI structural and rs-FMRI (n = 200).
Epidemiological contribution: Health adults over 60 convert to mild cognitive impairment and dementia at a rate of 11% over a five-year cycle. Sample adheres to key demographic characteristics as per Cyprus Statistical Services (age, gender, education and SES).

BRAIN INJURY: RISK FOR TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY IN CYPRUS

PI: Fofi Constantinidou.
Purpose: First systematic research program, exploring neurobehavioral symptoms and history of events relating to traumatic brain injury in children and adults under 25, throughout Cyprus. Method: Observational study.
Cohort: 2000 individuals from primary, secondary schools and universities throughout Cyprus. Duration and testing cycles: single data point.
Dependent Measures: Concussion symptom inventory and questionnaires.
Epidemiological contribution: Incidence of TBI in children, adolescents, and young adults.

ANXIETY: EPIDEMIOLOGY OF ANXIETY SYMPTOMS IN CYPRUS IN YOUTH AND ADULTS

PI: Georgia Panayiotou.
Method: Cross-sectional estimates of anxiety symptoms and their correlates using screening instruments and clinical interviews for those meeting selection criteria.
Cohort: Random high school sample, random adult community sample + college student sample total N=2000.
Dependent measures: Associations of anxiety symptoms with personality traits, family characteristics, comorbidity, demographics. Biomarkers and cognitive markers of anxiety including physiological responses, genetics and attention and self-regulation processes.
Epidemiological contribution: understanding of prevalence and demographics of anxiety symptoms and predictor variables.

ANXIETY: ASSERTIVENESS AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

PI: Georgia Panayiotou.
Method: Cross-sectional estimates of assertiveness skills and peer relationships (e.g. peer victimization) in children and adolescents in relation to personality traits, anxiety and demographics.
Cohort: Random school samples N=2400.
Dependent measures: Anxiety, CU traits, internalizing and externalizing characteristics in relation to assertive and non-assertive communication and victimization experiences.
Epidemiological contribution: understanding the prevalence of social skills like assertiveness in youth and their moderating/mediating factors.

LEARNING DISABILITIES PROJECT: LEARNING DISABILITIES AND EARLY INTERVENTION

PI: T. C. Papapadopoulos.
Method: Longitudinal data collection over the course of 6 years.
Cohort: Random school sample N=3600.
Dependent measures: phonological ability, rapid automatized naming, word reading, spelling, passage comprehension, planning, attention, information processing measures, executive functioning, inhibition, working memory, attention, processing speed.
Epidemiological contribution: (a) Understanding the prevalence of reading disabilities, language disorders, and ADHD in pediatric populations and their moderating/mediating factors, and (b) investigating possible comorbidity issues.