Experiencing Changes in Your Memory, Thinking, Mood and Behaviour? Learn More About Your Options Today!

Contents

Next Steps

  1. Complete the study questionnaire
  2. Understand if you’re eligible to participate
Click Here

About the Study


Research Center: The Royal Melbourne Hospital
Location: This is a virtual research study open to VIC, WA, QLD, SA, and soon NSW
Lead Researchers: Professor Dennis Velakoulis & Dr Dhamidhu Eratne
HREC: This study has been reviewed and approved by the Royal Melbourne Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee 

Are you starting to notice changes in memory, speaking, mood, and behaviour? Many people with conditions like dementia, especially younger onset dementia and other complex neuropsychiatric illnesses, still face significant delays in getting an accurate diagnosis and treatment. Getting a correct diagnosis can take several years and cause a tremendous amount of uncertainty, stress, and frustration. 

Researchers at the Royal Melbourne Hospital are doing a virtual research study called MiND (Markers in Neuropsychiatric Disorders) Study. This study will understand how a simple blood test can help with quick and accurate diagnosis of dementia, other neurological and psychiatric diseases. This simple blood test may dramatically improve outcomes and transform care for people and their families.

If you are interested in helping researchers and potentially helping yourself in the future, join this research study!


Why Participate?


  • This research study is virtual and there is no cost to participate.
  • Participation in this virtual research study only involves mainly doing a simple blood test. This can be done close to the participant’s home.
  • Participants will be contributing valuable information that may benefit those with dementia and other related illnesses in the future.
  • Participants may be able to help researchers develop a simple, quick and accurate blood test to diagnose (or rule out) dementia and other related illnesses.
  • Participants may be reimbursed for any reasonable travel, parking, meals and other expenses associated with getting the blood sample taken, up to a maximum of $100.
  • Participants will be helping to advance research.

Your Rights


  • If you decide to participate in the study and later feel that you no longer wish to be part of it, you can withdraw at any time.
  • Any information that you provide will be kept strictly confidential, except as required by law.
  • Qualified health professionals will monitor your health as it relates to the study.

Who can Participate?


  • People aged 40-80 (inclusive) who in the last 5 years have experienced:
    • Cognitive symptoms (for example, problems with memory, thinking, problem-solving, finding words, or changes in personality or behaviour)
    • Psychiatric symptoms (for example, changes in mood such as depression or mania, psychotic symptoms such as delusions or hallucinations)

Please note that people less than 40 or over 80 years of age, or with symptoms for more than 5 years, might still be eligible. 


Key Study Details


The study team can explain the research study in its entirety but some study details are:

  • Participation in this virtual study involves providing a blood sample (just like a normal blood test). Participants can get their blood test done at a nearby clinic or laboratory.  
  • Participation in this study involves allowing study doctors to get relevant clinical information from the participant’s personal doctor, in order to accurately interpret the blood test results.
  • This is a virtual research study so there is no need for participants to come to the research centre for study visits. Further, there are optional study aspects like answering basic online or telephone surveys and providing another blood sample 1-2 years after the first one.  

This virtual research study is funded by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), and philanthropic funding.

 


About the Research Center








Royal Melbourne Hospital

The Royal Melbourne Hospital is at the forefront of innovation through research to find new ways of diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases. As Victoria’s first public hospital, the Royal Melbourne has a long and proud history in clinical research. Clinical trials are integral to excellent patient care. The Royal Melbourne Hospital’s vision is to be the first in care, research, and learning.

Research is an essential part of healthcare development. Developing new treatments are key to deciding which is the best for treatment or care. By participating in research, you will be taking a more active role in your healthcare. You will also be helping others, and possibly yourself, by helping pave the way towards more effective care and management of your condition.

You may gain increased insight into the management of your condition.

Please note:

Due to the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, the study team would like to point out that this study will be conducted remotely which means there will be no in-person study visits allowing you to participate in the comfort of your own home and having no close interactions with any person outside of your household.

What’s Next?

  1. Click the link to enter your contact details and take the study questionnaire.
  2. If eligible, a member of the research team will contact you to discuss the study and answer any questions you may have.
Click Here to Check Your Eligibility for This Study

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