The EPAD Bioresource consists of over 100,000 samples consisting of blood, CSF, saliva and urine that have been collected annually from research participants throughout their participation in the Longitudinal Cohort Study. The samples are stored in -20°C, -80°C or -150°C freezers as appropriate at the EPAD Bioresource facility located at the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh. The Bioresource team utilizes a bespoke lab database and information management system that provides traceability and sample validation at every stage along the sample pathway, from collection, processing, storage and release for research.
| Sample Type | Stored As |
|---|---|
| Blood |
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| CSF |
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| Saliva |
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| Urine |
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The EPAD Longitudinal Cohort Study (LCS) Sample Access committee consists of international experts in the field of dementia and its primary purpose is to ensure that researchers make best use of the EPAD samples. The committee conducts a scientific review of applications and assesses requests on four broad areas: (i) Significance, e.g. will the project progress research in Alzheimer’s disease prevention; (ii) Investigator expertise, experience and training; (iii) Innovation, e.g. is the research novel and innovative; and (iv) Approach, e.g. are the strategy, methodology, sample size, data management approach and statistical analyses well-reasoned.
EPAD offers a way of accessing the samples collected during the EPAD LCS. For more information, click here. Before you officially submit your application, it is highly encouraged to contact the EPAD LCS team to informally notify about your intend to request the samples so that feasibility of your request can be evaluated. Please, email EPAD Programme Manager at Natalia.Matveyev@ed.ac.uk and briefly explain your research intending to use the EPAD samples.
Flowchart of the process for accessing EPAD samples and the corresponding EPAD data:
“We aim to ensure that this precious collection of samples is put to the very best use towards the prevention of Alzheimer’s dementia.”
