General questions about the study
This study will help researchers understand how the brain changes over time. It also tests whether a cognitive monitoring app can spot early signs of declining brain health and dementia risk. What we learn may help improve how dementia is prevented and treated in the future.
The study runs for 30 months. You will be asked to complete online assessments every 6 months.
Yes, you can withdraw at any time by selecting "Withdraw from Study" in the My Account section of your dashboard. When you withdraw your personal identifying data is permanently deleted. If you later decide to rejoin you will need to register again and re-enter your information.
Yes. You can take part in the REACTIVE study using any device, including a smartphone.
Yes, the REACTIVE application can be downloaded from the Apple and Google Play stores.
After completing your first assessment, we will send a saliva and blood sample kit for you to provide your samples and send back to us via post.
At the end of the study, we will contact you to let you know that REACTIVE is closing. You will have the option of joining a similar study if you wish to continue completing the brain health tests. We will also make the findings of the research available through the study website, app, and a newsletter.
If REACTIVE detects a change in your performance, our team will review your results and contact you. You will receive a message by email and through the app or website, and we will call you within 24 hours to arrange a video appointment with a study doctor. We will also inform your GP.
During the video appointment (up to one hour), the doctor will talk with you about your brain health. You can invite a study partner to join if you have one. The doctor will explain the results and answer your questions.
If the assessment suggests there may be a problem, the doctor will help you arrange an appointment with your GP for further checks to look at your brain health more closely. You can continue using REACTIVE if you wish.
If the assessment shows your brain health is as expected, the doctor will discuss this with you, and you can continue in the study as usual. Your GP will be informed that no further action is needed.
You can read more about this in the Participant Information Sheet.
You can find more information in the participant information sheet and study partner information sheet. If you still have questions, please contact the study team by emailing reactive@exeter.ac.uk.
Study partners
A study partner is someone who knows you well and may be asked to complete a few short questionnaires about your everyday abilities, such as how you perform certain tasks now compared with ten years ago.
Your study partner must:
- have known you well for at least 10 years
- be a friend or family member you trust
- be aged 18 or over
- reside in the UK
You will be asked to provide your study partner's name and email address when you have registered, or you can add this later. We will contact them to ask if they are willing to take part. If they agree, they will create their own study account.
Your privacy is protected. Your study partner cannot see any information you provide, and you cannot see what they submit.
A study partner can also be a participant in the study, or they may choose to join as a participant if they meet the eligibility criteria.
No, having a study partner is optional. If you are unable to nominate someone, we would still very much like you to take part. The information you provide on your own is still extremely valuable to the study.