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RecruitingNCT07731191PrevAlUpdated Jul 28, 2026

Digital Solutions for Predicting the Biological Mechanisms of Alzheimer's Disease Through the Analysis of Risk Factors

An interventional study of Digital solution for the prediction of the biological mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease through the analysis of risk factors in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD), sponsored by IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli. Recruiting at 2 sites in Italy. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-07-28.

Sponsored by IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli · Not applicable, Interventional, and Screening

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
240
Allocation
Not applicable
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

Population ageing is one of the main factors responsible for the global increase in the prevalence of dementia. Recent evidence suggests that modifiable risk factors, such as cardiovascular disease and lifestyle, may increase the risk of developing dementia and contribute to its progression. Furthermore, the use of non-invasive plasma biomarkers enables the identification of individuals with neurodegenerative diseases, even in the prodromal stage. However, the relationship between the cumulative burden of risk factors and plasma biomarkers is still poorly understood.

The main objective of this study is to identify and estimate the risk associated with modifiable and non-modifiable predictors (risk factors) linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and non-AD dementia, as well as biological alterations consistent with AD or non-AD, through the development of a predictive tool based on Artificial Intelligence algorithms (Machine Learning model). The study also aims to provide a range of technological tools (an app for active patient monitoring and a web platform for clinicians) that could improve risk stratification and the personalisation of care pathways.

The study is divided into two different phases. Firstly, a retrospective phase is conducted in order to construct a predictive model for the risk of dementia and biological alterations consistent with AD. Secondly, a prospective phase is performed for the validation of the predictive model.

02

Conditions studied

  • Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
  • Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD)
03

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Male or female subjects aged more than 18 years at the time of signing the informed consent form;
  • Subjects with MCI or SCD who, at the time of their first visit, did not have a clinical diagnosis of dementia (MMSE ≥ 24);
  • Smartphone user.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Age younger than that stated in the inclusion criterion;
  • Inability to understand.
04

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Screening
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
240 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Subjects with MCI or SCD

    Device: Digital solution for the prediction of the biological mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease through the analysis of risk factors

Interventions

  • DeviceDigital solution for the prediction of the biological mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease through the analysis of risk factors

    The intervention consists of a mobile application ("app") for risk monitoring with gamified patient engagement, which is design to support remote health monitoring and participant adherence to the study. Participants will enter informative clinical variables every 3 months, including weight, height, age, systolic/diastolic blood pressure, and blood glucose levels. The app generates a qualitative risk assessment (low/medium/high) based on entered data, intended as a clinical monitoring support tool for the participating sites and not as a diagnostic tool that replaces medical evaluation and/or clinical judgment. Unlike standard data collection apps, the intervention provides continuous engagement incentives in the form of visual feedback and motivational messaging.

    Also known as: App for active patient monitoring

05

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Conversion rate to dementia

    Risk score that assesses the individual risk associated with predictors linked to (i) the development of AD and non-AD dementia, and (ii) biological biological changes consistent with AD or non-AD pathology.

    Time frame: From enrollment to 3-6 months after enrollment

06

Study locations

2 of 2 sites recruiting
  • ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia
    Brescia, BS 25123, Italy
    Recruiting
  • IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni Di Dio - Fatebenefratelli
    Brescia, BS 25125, Italy
    Recruiting
07

References and documents

Publications

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  • Gorno-Tempini ML, Hillis AE, Weintraub S, Kertesz A, Mendez M, Cappa SF, Ogar JM, Rohrer JD, Black S, Boeve BF, Manes F, Dronkers NF, Vandenberghe R, Rascovsky K, Patterson K, Miller BL, Knopman DS, Hodges JR, Mesulam MM, Grossman M. Classification of primary progressive aphasia and its variants. Neurology. 2011 Mar 15;76(11):1006-14. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e31821103e6. Epub 2011 Feb 16. PubMed 21325651 ↗
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  • McKhann GM, Knopman DS, Chertkow H, Hyman BT, Jack CR Jr, Kawas CH, Klunk WE, Koroshetz WJ, Manly JJ, Mayeux R, Mohs RC, Morris JC, Rossor MN, Scheltens P, Carrillo MC, Thies B, Weintraub S, Phelps CH. The diagnosis of dementia due to Alzheimer's disease: recommendations from the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association workgroups on diagnostic guidelines for Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement. 2011 May;7(3):263-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jalz.2011.03.005. Epub 2011 Apr 21. PubMed 21514250 ↗
  • Jack CR Jr, Andrews JS, Beach TG, Buracchio T, Dunn B, Graf A, Hansson O, Ho C, Jagust W, McDade E, Molinuevo JL, Okonkwo OC, Pani L, Rafii MS, Scheltens P, Siemers E, Snyder HM, Sperling R, Teunissen CE, Carrillo MC. Revised criteria for diagnosis and staging of Alzheimer's disease: Alzheimer's Association Workgroup. Alzheimers Dement. 2024 Aug;20(8):5143-5169. doi: 10.1002/alz.13859. Epub 2024 Jun 27. PubMed 38934362 ↗
  • Biessels GJ, Despa F. Cognitive decline and dementia in diabetes mellitus: mechanisms and clinical implications. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2018 Oct;14(10):591-604. doi: 10.1038/s41574-018-0048-7. PubMed 30022099 ↗
  • Hooper C, Coley N, Delrieu J, Guyonnet S. Lifestyle factors and plasma biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease: A narrative review. J Prev Alzheimers Dis. 2025 Jun;12(6):100130. doi: 10.1016/j.tjpad.2025.100130. Epub 2025 Mar 12. PubMed 40082178 ↗
  • Hayden KM, Mielke MM, Evans JK, Neiberg R, Molina-Henry D, Culkin M, Marcovina S, Johnson KC, Carmichael OT, Rapp SR, Sachs BC, Ding J, Shappell H, Wagenknecht L, Luchsinger JA, Espeland MA. Association between Modifiable Risk Factors and Levels of Blood-Based Biomarkers of Alzheimer's and Related Dementias in the Look AHEAD Cohort. JAR Life. 2024 Jan 5;13:1-21. doi: 10.14283/jarlife.2024.1. eCollection 2024. PubMed 38204926 ↗
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08

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07731191
Lead sponsor
IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli
Collaborators
Asst Degli Spedali Civili Di Brescia
Responsible party
Prof. Barbara Borroni (Professor, IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli) — Principal investigator
First posted
Jul 28, 2026
Start date
Jun 24, 2026
Primary completion
Nov 15, 2026 (estimated)
Completion
Nov 15, 2026 (estimated)
Last update
Jul 28, 2026

Oversight

FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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