From AMYPAD to Euro‐PAD: creating a multi‐cohort preclinical database to model onset of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: García David Vállez , Collij Lyduine E. , Jansen Willemijn J. , Vos Stephanie J. B. , Oomens Julie Elisabeth , Vilor‐Tejedor Natalia , Stankeviciute Laura , Mila‐Aloma Marta , Leeuwis Anna E , Sánchez‐Benavides Gonzalo , Shekari Mahnaz , Heeman Fiona , Lorenzini Luigi , Pieperhoff Leonard , Overduin Bert , Alves Isadora Lopes , Gispert Juan Domingo , Jessen Frank , Visser Pieter Jelle , den Braber Anouk , Ritchie Craig W , Boada Mercè , Marquié Marta , Vandenberghe Rik , Luckett Emma S. , Schöll Michael , Frisoni Giovanni B. , Hanseeuw Bernard J , Quenon Lisa , Stephens Andrew W. , Ford Lisa , Schmidt Mark E , Birck Cindy , Mett Anja , Gismondi Rossella , Manber Richard , Grootoonk Sylke , Wolz Robin , Farrar Gill , Barkhof Frederik ,   the AMYPAD Consortium
Published: January 2025

Background

The emergence of disease‐modifying drug therapies is expected to revolutionize the field of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent results from anti‐amyloid clinical trials highlight the importance of early identification and accurate risk‐stratification of individuals in early stages of the disease. In this context, the Amyloid Imaging to Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease (AMYPAD) Prognostic and Natural History Study (PNHS) was established, leveraging existing cohorts to alleviate the burden of recruiting de novo participants. Here, we describe the harmonization and integration efforts of brain imaging, clinical, cognitive, and fluid biomarker data.

Access to the data is available through the Alzheimer’s Disease Data Initiative, with additional details provided at https://amypad.eu/data/

Method

The AMYPAD PNHS integrates prospective and historical data from 32 European sites across 10 countries. These sites contribute data from 10 Parent Cohorts (PC), predominantly comprising non‐demented at‐risk subjects, including EPAD LCS, EMIF‐AD (60++ and 90+), ALFA+, FACEHBI, FPACK, UCL‐2010‐412, Microbiota, DELCODE, and the AMYPAD Diagnostic and Patient Management Study.

A meticulous data curation process was implemented, harmonizing metrics and questionnaires through strategies such as recoding into categories, Percentage of Maximum Possible Scores, and z‐scores. Expert reviewers at each site conducted PET visual reads. Centralized quantification of static PET images, employing site‐specific Gaussian smoothing, yielded harmonized Centiloid values. Parametric modelling of dynamic PET scans was also performed providing metrics such as the distribution volume ratio.

Result

The initial data set includes 3366 participants (55% females, 67±8 years), with 2629 having at least one follow‐up visit (2.6±1.9 years). Of those, 1618 underwent baseline amyloid PET, 888 with follow‐up. The dataset incorporates clinical outcomes, biomarkers, risk factors, and other relevant variables (Figure 1). Distribution of participants based on amyloid PET status at baseline yielded 60% negative (<12CL), 24% grey‐zone (12‐50CL), and 16% positive (>50CL) cases.

Conclusion

The AMYPAD PNHS represents the largest European longitudinal dataset phenotyping individuals at risk of AD‐related progression. The consortium is currently evolving into its new phase, namely the Euro‐PAD collaborative framework, and the dataset will be expanded in terms of variables (e.g., currently integrating GWAS and advanced MRI data) and number of cohorts. Interested to join, please contact us at https://amypad.eu/