Many people notice changes in their memory or concentration as they get older. It’s not always clear what is a normal part of ageing and what could be an early sign of dementia. The PROTECT study was created to help answer these questions. The study is hoping to improve our understanding of how to keep our brains healthy for longer.

PROTECT is a long-term online research study calling on adults across the UK to help researchers understand how and why our brains age. It is also looking at how lifestyle choices may influence dementia risk.

What is PROTECT?

Launched in 2014 by the University of Exeter Medical School, PROTECT is one of the UK’s largest digital studies of brain ageing.

The study follows thousands of adults aged 40 and over over many years. By collecting information about thinking and memory, lifestyle, mental health and genetics, PROTECT aims to understand how factors such as diet, exercise, sleep and wellbeing affect brain health as we age.

Professor Anne Corbett- Professor of dementia research and PROTECT Director, said: “PROTECT is gathering data from thousands of people around the UK, including our highly sensitive online cognitive tests, to identify the most important risk factors for dementia. This work allows us to better understand dementia risk and design new research into dementia prevention.”

Why does PROTECT matter?

Dementia affects nearly 1 million people in the UK, and this number is expected to rise in the coming years. Research suggests that up to 1 in 3 cases of dementia could be delayed or prevented through healthier choices earlier in life, such as staying physically active, managing blood pressure and not smoking.

Yet, we still don’t know which combinations of factors make the biggest difference, or when changes matter most. PROTECT is designed to help answer these important questions and support the development of effective prevention strategies.

How does the study work?

Taking part in PROTECT is straightforward and fully online. This means you can join from anywhere in the UK.

  • Anyone aged 40 or over without a dementia diagnosis can register
  • Participation is done from home using a computer, tablet or smartphone
  • Each year involves online questionnaires and thinking and memory tests, taking around one hour in total
  • Participants are also asked to provide a DNA sample by post

Many people worry about memory changes as they age. PROTECT also includes a flagging system that identifies concerning changes in brain health and signposts participants to further support where appropriate.

How to get involved

PROTECT is open to adults aged 40 and over living in the UK who do not have a diagnosis of dementia. All that’s needed is an internet-connected device and a willingness to contribute to research. Log in to your Join Dementia Research account to see if you have been invited to take part. Or if you don’t already have an account, sign up today. 

By taking part, volunteers play a vital role in advancing dementia prevention and healthy ageing research, helping researchers identify which early interventions are most effective.