Risk prediction
We recently illustrated the substantial impact of preventable cardiovascular risk factors for risk of dementia by generating a 10-year absolute risk score inspired by the well-known Systematic COronary Risk Estimator (SCORE) charts, implemented since the 1990'ties in cardiovascular clinical practice. We now generalize these dementia risk scores into a clinically applicable risk score system for early prevention of dementia by studying key prospective cohorts in Europe, where relevant information is available.
Mendelian randomization
We apply beyond state-of-the-art statistical methods and pipelines for MR strategies, applying two-sample techniques using summary statistics from genomic consortia on exposures and endpoints, and one-sample linear and non-linear techniques on individual level data from the UK Biobank and from other cohorts of the general population.
Meta-analyses
In order to inform health professionals and the public about the best level evidence for lifestyle interventions and emerging and established drugs, we perform comprehensive meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials and of risk factors and biomarkers in general.
Genomics-driven drug discovery
The success rate of drugs to reach clinical implementation is generally low, and for dementia in particular. Genomics-driven drug discovery is one of the promising solutions, as drug targets with human genetic support are more likely to be successful in clinical development. The genomics-driven drug discovery framework consists of three complementary methodologies. Step 1: Overlap enrichment of disease risk genes with targets of existing drugs identifies drug repurposing opportunities; Step 2: Endotype Mendelian randomization using protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL) establishes causal links between proteins and disease processes; Step 3: Screening of negative correlations between genetically regulated disease case-control gene expression and compound-regulated gene expression profiles is used to identify compounds that might correct disease-related alterations in gene expression.
Researchers
Ruth Frikke-Schmidt, MD, PhD, DMSci, Professor, Chief Physician, group leader
Jesper Qvist Thomassen, MSc, PhD, Senior Scientist
Katrine Laura Rasmussen, MD, PhD, Associate Professor
Ida Juul Rasmussen, MD, PhD, Post Doc
Jiao Luo, MD, PhD, Post Doc, BRIDGE fellow
Nicolai Sandau, MD, PhD, Post Doc
Emilie Westerlin Kjeldsen, MD, PhD, Post Doc
Sofie Taageby Nielsen, MD, PhD Student
Rikke Mohr Lytsen, MD, PhD Student
Liv Rabøl Andersen, MD, coming PhD Student
Caroline Amalie Koch, MD Student
Sara Pors Grønlund, MD Student
Pauline Meiling Christiansen, MD Student
Johan August Krogh, MD Student
Emmanuel Minois-Genin, Bioinformatician Student
Link to publications
Publications in pubmed
ORCID: 0000-0003-4084-5027.
Key international collaborators
Jean-Charles Lambert (INSERM, Lille, France)
Cornelia van Duijn (Nuffield Deparment of Population Health, Oxford, UK)
Mikko Hiltunen (University of Eastern Finland, Turku, Finland)
Peter Tontonoz (University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA)
Key international networks
Key national collaborators
Key national networks
Copenhagen Baby Heart Study (CBHS)
Copenhagen City Heart Study (CCHS)
Copenhagen General Population Study (CGPS)
Copenhagen Hospital Biobank (CHB)
Copenhagen Stroke Biobank (CoSBB)
Danish Blood Donor Study (DBDS)
VACCIM