ALZHEIMER EUROPE
EURO-FINGERS: Europe at the forefront of Alzheimer’s dementia prevention
we have 7 countries involved, but we envision the consortium will grow over time and include more nations. What are some of the main challenges you are facing with this research?
AD and dementia prevention is a relatively new field, and we have learned from other recent multimodal prevention RCTs that there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution. Late-life AD is a complex and heterogeneous disorder. Only by deciphering this complexity and heterogeneity, can we find effective preventative solutions. We need to implement Precision Prevention, which means defining preventive strategies tailored to specific risk groups, identified by clinical and biological features and environmental risk factors exposure. To achieve this, What are the concrete objectives and actions EURO-FINGERS will leverage unique Eurothat will be undertaken by the project? pean long-term data from observational studies and RCTs, covering the full spectrum EURO-FINGERS builds upon the successful from at-risk states to early-symptomatic AD. experience of FINGER: the Finnish Geriat- These studies provide multidimensional ric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive data (lifestyle, clinical, genetic, omics), that Impairment and Disability (led by Prof. Kivi- will be analysed with novel AI-based methpelto, Ed.). In this pioneering RCT, we ods, able to translate complex and large data demonstrated that a 2-year multimodal life- into fingerprints of individual AD risk and style intervention consisting of nutritional prevention potential. guidance, exercise, cognitive training, and control of vascular risk factors benefitted Precision Prevention is already developed cognition in senior community dwellers at in oncology, and we are learning from this increased risk of dementia. In EURO-FINGERS, field. In progressing Precision Prevention we aim to develop tools to advance, optimise strategies for AD dementia, we focus on and scale-up the FINGER model across Europe. the “what”, which risk factors to target , These tools include methods to accurately the “why”, the biological mechanisms that measure the level of AD risk in seniors, as mediate prevention effectiveness , and well as their prevention potential, in order to the “how”, the most cost-effective impleidentify subjects with different risk profiles, mentation approaches. Indeed, another who are more likely to benefit from specific big challenge is that Precision Prevenpreventative interventions. tion strategies must be developed and implemented in ways that will make them We will also develop an innovative RCT accessible to all who may benefit from model, where for the first time, multimodal them. This is especially important as the lifestyle interventions can be tested in com- sustainability of many healthcare systems bination with drugs that might halt AD. can be challenged by acute crises such as Although no disease-modifying drug has the current pandemic. In EURO-FINGERS we so far been approved for AD, we are working have unique ready-available long-term data to identify medications that can synergise from prevention RCTs, that can be used for with the benefit of the multimodal inter- cost-effectiveness analyses, to assess the vention. Additionally, we will build the sustainability of prevention strategies in EURO-FINGERS online registry, which will targeted populations who are most likely facilitate the recruitment of participants to benefit. in AD prevention RCTs across Europe. So far,
Alzheimer Europe is part of the newly-launched JPND project “EURO-FINGERS: multimodal precision prevention toolbox for dementia in Alzheimer’s disease”. We spoke to Professor Miia Kivipelto, scientific coordinator of EURO-FINGERS, to discuss the project’s aims and expectations at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. The EURO-FINGERS project starts at a historical moment for Europe and many other world regions, which are focused on halting the COVID-19 pandemic while ensuring adequate medical care of people with chronic non-communicable disorders (NCDs), who are mostly seniors. Older adults are a large and fast-growing portion of the population; they are the most vulnerable to the SARSCoV2 infection, and they also have increased risk to develop Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia. Curative drugs for dementia and AD are not yet available, and repeated negative results of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) testing pharmacological interventions make the timeline for a cure uncertain. Prevention for AD and dementia has been identified as a global public health priority. In this landscape, the EURO-FINGERS project brings together European top researchers to develop the next generation of RCTs for the prevention of AD dementia. EURO-FINGERS is supported by the EU Joint Programme – Neurodegenerative Disease Research (JPND), the largest global research initiative aimed at tackling the challenge of neurodegenerative diseases. EURO-FINGERS officially started on 1 March 2020 and is a 3-year project. Alzheimer Europe is a key partner in this project and is contributing towards the patient and public involvement and communication activities. Alzheimer Europe will also have a key role in the scientific dissemination of the EURO-FINGERS results to key stakeholders and the general public.
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