Profile for Brain Disease Research Infrastructure for Data Gathering and Exploration (BRIDGE) Platform

Abstract

Brain diseases complexity have necessitated advanced research platforms for better understanding, treatment, and prevention strategies. However, existing brain disease registries face limitations such as incomplete variable sets, lack of standardization, insufficient linkage to external databases, absence of integrated platforms for comprehensive data collection, and lack of continuity. To address these challenges, the Korea National Institute of Health initiated the Brain disease Research Infrastructure for Data Gathering and Exploration (BRIDGE), a national prospective platform designed to overcome the shortcomings of current registries. The BRIDGE platform includes a Longitudinal Study of Early onset dementia And Family members (LEAF) cohort, a Longitudinal/cohort Study of Patients with Late Onset Dementia (LLOD) cohort, a community-based cohort study of High-risk individuals for Dementia (COHD) cohort, and a Longitudinal Study of Patients with Parkinson's Disease (LoPD) cohort. The standardized variables included sociodemographic variables, health behaviors, medical history, activities of daily living, behavioral, and psychological problems, cognitive function, disease-related symptoms, quality of life (QoL), sleep, depression scale, caregiver burden, physical health, blood tests, olfactory function testing, orthostatic blood pressure changes, genetic testing, nerve conduction studies, and neuroimaging. In addition, the BRIDGE platform will be linked to the Korean National Health Insurance Service (K-NHIS) database. By addressing gaps in data collection, standardization, and considering a wide range of impacts, the BRIDGE database offers new pathways for understanding and combating complex brain conditions. As the project progresses, it has the potential to significantly influence scientific understanding and policymaking in the field of brain health.