-
- Posted Wednesday June 26, 2013
Join the Crowd: TGen scientist launches innovative<br > online research test to improve understanding of memory
MindCrowd study drives search for clues to Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders
PHOENIX, Ariz. - June 26, 2013 - A scientific
researcher at Phoenix-based Translational Genomics Research
Institute (TGen) has launched a first-of-its-kind online memory
test to help better understand human cognition and how it might
relate to Alzheimer's disease and other brain disorders.
Dubbed "MindCrowd," the study seeks to attract 1 million
individuals, aged 18 to 80, willing to complete the 10-minute
online memory test at mindcrowd.org.
Researchers will use the test results to build a base of data for
further study on how cognition and memory changes as people
age.
Eventually, the researchers want to leverage this newly gained
biological insight into therapeutic application - treatment. The
hope is for the online test to go viral with friends, families and
colleagues challenging one another to take the test and compare the
results.
MindCrowd is the brainchild of TGen Associate Professor Dr. Matt
Huentelman, who believes understanding how the brain works in
healthy individuals will foster the development of new medicines
and therapies for those with brain disorders. Dr. Huentelman's TGen
lab studies the genomics of human neurological traits and diseases
with a specific focus on learning, memory and Alzheimer's.
"MindCrowd is the first research project of its kind," said
Huentelman, an expert in genomics as it relates to memory. "By
harnessing the power of the Internet, we can study a million - or
more - individuals to help bring us closer to a cure for
Alzheimer's disease and other brain disorders.
"Combining our knowledge of human genetics and neuroscience with
an online research study like MindCrowd is a revolutionary approach
to understanding our differences in brain performance and how it
may influence risk for disease. We expect to add significantly to
our understanding of cognition and how genetic factors impact our
memory as we age."
The MindCrowd project has two phases: Phase I involves memory
testing of 1 million or more study participants. Following an
in-depth analysis of Phase I test results, researchers will then
solicit a subset of Phase I participants willing to donate a DNA
saliva sample and undergo an additional round of online
testing.
Participation is encouraged from a broad range of ages,
backgrounds and cognitive abilities. Those taking the test are free
to remain anonymous, although it is encouraged that people share
basic data to help the project succeed.
The test does not predict or diagnose any condition, rather it
provides data on one type of memory and how these processes change
as people age and have varied life experiences.
MindCrowd is a collaborative effort among leading scientific
research institutions and organizations including TGen, the
University of Arizona, Banner Alzheimer's Prevention Initiative and
others.
Please visit www.mindcrowd.org to take the
test.
# # #
About TGen
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix,
Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting
groundbreaking research with life changing results. TGen is focused
on helping patients with neurological disorders, cancer, and
diabetes, through cutting edge translational research (the process
of rapidly moving research towards patient benefit). TGen
physicians and scientists work to unravel the genetic components of
both common and rare complex diseases in adults and children.
Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical
communities literally worldwide, TGen makes a substantial
contribution to help our patients through efficiency and
effectiveness of the translational process. For more information,
visit: www.tgen.org.
TGen Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]
About MindCrowd
MindCrowd is online research study to understand the genetics of
how the human brain remembers. Specifically, MindCrowd researchers
want to know how the way people remember things might change as
they age. If researchers better understand the way memory changes
as people age, they may be able to understand what changes occur in
people who have a brain disease that affects their memory (like
Alzheimer's disease). MindCrowd is part of a research study
conducted by the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen)
in Phoenix, Ariz. For more information, visit: www.mindcrowd.org.
Media Contact:
The Lavidge Company
480.998.2600
Greg Sexton x555
[email protected]
Jennifer Whilttle x551
[email protected]
