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erlenmyer-research
Research group/lab

Alzheimer center

Alzheimer Center Erasmus MC is a diagnostic center for dementia located at the Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam. We combine patient care with scientific research and education in order to contribute to dementia care.

About our research group/lab

Our research

Alzheimercentrum logo

Research lines within our center focus on several types of dementia as well as the healthy population. 

With our research we aim to:

  1. better understand the causes and course of dementia syndromes
  2. contribute to the development of effective treatment
  3. further improve dementia care

In order to achieve these aims, we study underlying disease mechanisms and rare genetic factors, as well as risk factors in the general population. We also conduct research to develop state-of-the-art diagnostic tools enabling detection of the disease at an early stage and culture-sensitive dementia diagnostics for people with diverse cultural backgrounds. Lastly, we investigate ways to improve care for people with dementia and their caregivers. As we are an official frontotemporal dementia (FTD) center of expertise, several research lines specifically focus on this type of dementia.

Our projects

AmyVasc

AmyVasc; Amyloid pathology and vascular disease in focus

We study the interaction between amyloid pathology and vascular disease by performing PET-CT and MRI scans in healthy participants aged ≥ 60 years.

BEATIT

BEAT-IT study

The BEhavioral symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease, Towards early Identification and Treatment (BEAT-IT) study focuses on the assessment and management of neuropsychiatric symptoms in early Alzheimer’s disease. This four-year ZonMw project is a collaboration between the Alzheimer Centers of the Erasmus MC and the Amsterdam UMC. Our research group consists of clinicians and researchers with a background in neurology, neuropsychology, and psychiatry.

FTD RISC

Frontotemporal Dementia Risk Cohort (FTD-RisC)

Frontotemporal Dementia Risk Cohort (FTD-RisC) The FTD-RisC team is composed of prof. dr. John van Swieten, a neurologist and internationally recognized expert in FTD, three PhD students and a post-doctoral researcher.

FTD AD

Genetics of Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration & Alzheimer’s Disease

Part of ongoing genetic research within the Alzheimer Center Erasmus MC.

HBC

Heart Brain Connection (HBC)

This multi-center research project focuses on assessing and understanding the contribution of hemodynamic changes to vascular cognitive impairment (VCI).

BEYOND

Imaging biomarkers for early diagnosis (BEYOND)

We will develop and clinically evaluate a platform that enables using quantitative neuroimaging in daily clinical practice to improve the diagnosis of dementia.

IMPROVAS

Improved Prognosis of Vascular cognitive impairment

The ImProVas project will develop imaging biomarkers and develop and validate prognostic methods using machine learning for vascular cognitive impairment (VCI).

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Intercultural dementia diagnostics and care (TULIPA)

The TULIPA-study team is composed of Dr. Janne Papma, Sanne Franzen, Yuled Kalkisim, Dr. Esther van den Berg and a team of trained interpreters.

PRECODE

PRECODE

The PRECODE study focusses on the prevalence, recognition and care for patients with young onset dementia.

THEIA image

Quantitatively assessing brain MRI to diagnose dementia (Theia)

We investigate whether automatic normative quantification of brain MRI contributes to earlier and more accurate diagnosis of dementia in the memory clinic.

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Somatic Mutations in Semantic Dementia

This research takes place in the Alzheimer Center Erasmus MC under supervision of Prof. John van Swieten.

AC Imaging database

The Alzheimer Center Erasmus MC neuroimaging database

We are building a database of neuroimaging data from all patients visiting the Alzheimer Center, to facilitate biomarker research within and outside Erasmus MC.

Collaborations

Neurology
Geriatrics
Radiology & Nuclear medicine
Clinical Genetics
Epidemiology
Psychiatry

Outside Erasmus MC

We are involved in several international initiatives through European research grants, research consortia, and international clinical trials. We also have an important collaborations with other dementia research groups and care facilities in the Netherlands, as well as with patient organizations such as Alzheimer Nederland and FTD lotgenoten.

Our team

Please contact us via email.

Project Leaders