PROTECT is a digital brain health research team based at the University of Exeter in the UK that has supported extensive cognitive, genetic and health data collection since 2014
PROTECT hosts a wide portfolio of online and digital research studies and technologies that support high quality data collection and participant engagement in cognitive health research, including longitudinal data collection, clinical trials and biomarker collection. The entire portfolio is built on the concept of scalable, accessible, engaging research that is made possible by remote data collection.
Core technologies and expertise include a digital platform infrastructure for data collection, computerised cognitive test system solutions and large-scale remote biofluid collection protocols.
Supporting cognitive, genetic and health data
The PROTECT-UK flagship ageing cohort has supported extensive cognitive, genetic and health data collection since 2014, with an excellent track record of participant retention of over 80% year-on-year. The cohort of over 30,000 has been used to validate key technologies including the FLAME cognitive test battery which is now widely used as a remote cognitive assessment measure.
PROTECT holds full consent for contact and can rapidly screen and recruit to new research studies, including clinical trials, with over 60,000 participants recruited to clinical trials of lifestyle, digital and nutraceutical interventions to date. PROTECT also provides computerised cognitive test systems for use across research settings, including multi-centre clinical trials. PROTECT data is available to third parties for collaborative projects and analysis.
PROTECT and funding brain health research
The PROTECT team is led by Professor Anne Corbett and is affiliated to the Exeter Biomedical Research Centre, the King’s Health Technology Research Centre and the Applied Research Collaboration South-West Peninsula, all of which receive infrastructure funding from the National Institute of Health and Care Research.
PROTECT receives funding from government, charitable, industry and philanthropic funders in the UK and internationally. PROTECT supports over 100 active collaborations across international settings including the UK, Europe and the US. PROTECT is part of the University of Exeter Medical School within the Department of Health and Community Sciences and Faculty of Health and Life Sciences.
