Data Management & Statistical Core

PROJECT SUMMARY – DATA MANAGEMENT AND STATISTICAL CORE The Data Management and Statistical Core (DMS) will provide database, logistical and statistical support to all Mayo Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Cores in the recruitment and follow up of patients connected to other studies focused on the neurodegenerative diseases AD, LBD and FTLD and the vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) in these diseases. The members of the DMS Core bring expertise in the development, implementation and management of relational databases, logistical support of large studies, and the statistical methods for analysis of cognitive impairment in longitudinal data. The DMS Core will 1) maintain and optimize the Mayo ADRC database housing the longitudinal clinical, neuropsychometric, structural/social determinants of health data (SSDoH) and components of the data from the Neuroimaging, Biomarker, Genomics and Neuropathology Cores 2) provide logistical support to all Cores for patient and biological sample tracking 3) support for the electronic capture and organization of data across all Cores 4) support in sharing of data and samples internally and externally, including the transfer of data and samples to the NACC, LONI and AD-Knowledge Portal and NCRAD national repositories 5) provide statistical support to the Development Projects (administered by the Administrative Core), to mentor trainees (from the Research Education Component) in study design and statistical methods, and for development of new disease models to improve understanding of the progression of cognitive decline in patients. The DMS Core is essential to the proper functioning of the Mayo ADRC. The database systems of the DMS Core are essential to activities including tracking participants’ status for longitudinal follow-up, accurately storing and accessing data for research projects, appropriately uploading Uniform Data Set (UDS) data to NACC, coordinating with the Biomarker, Genomics, Neuroimaging and Neuropathology Cores so their data and samples transferred to the LONI, AD-Knowledge Portal and NCRAD national repositories can be de-identified yet matched for analysis. The statistical expertise of the DMS Core is of similar importance to the Mayo ADRC, as it is critical for the preparation and organization of data for subsequent analysis, for efficient study design, for accurate analytical plans and the final interpretation of research findings. Additionally, the DMS Core is active in development of new models of dementia and of corresponding software allowing broad application of these new disease models. The Data Management and Statistical Core aims to collaborate in advancing the scientific understanding of neurodegenerative diseases AD, LBD and FTLD and the contribution of VCID through the resources it provides to the Mayo ADRC.