Healthy Brain Ageing

The Healthy Ageing (HeBa) study is an international research project that aims to improve our understanding of the factors that influence healthy brain ageing and the development of age-related neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and other forms of dementia. The study focuses on identifying factors that may increase or decrease the risk of developing these conditions later in life. By collecting information from adults aged 50 to 80 years living in Luxembourg and the Greater Region, researchers hope to gain new insights into the earliest signs of neurodegenerative diseases and discover new opportunities for prevention. The goal of the HeBa study is not to predict whether an individual participant will develop a neurodegenerative disease, but rather to improve scientific understanding of risk factors and support the development of better methods for early detection and prevention. The knowledge gained may help future generations maintain cognitive health and reduce the impact of age-related neurological diseases.

About the study

No longer recruiting

At risk, Healthy Volunteers 50–80 years

Neurological diseases, Mental Health

Locations

Luxembourg Research Clinic (LRC) 6, Rue Nicolas-Ernest Barblé,
L-1210 Luxembourg

Contact

parkinson@chl.lu

+352 621 789 769

Want to learn more?

More information

Who can participate?

Eligible participants

You may be eligible to participate if you:

Are between 50 and 80 years of age.
Have no known age-related neurodegenerative disease.
Currently live in Luxembourg or the Greater Region.
Have internet access.

Exclusion criteria

You may not be eligible to participate if you:

Have a known diagnosis of an age-related neurodegenerative disease such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s disease, or dementia.
Have any other neurological movement disorders.
Have suffered or are suffering from a stroke or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Not sure about eligibility?

The study team will review each case individually to determine eligibility. If you are unsure whether you are eligible, do not hesitate to contact us.

What will participants do?

01.

Provide electronic consent

This will be completed through the secure study website. You will also share your date of birth and contact details so the study team can contact you if needed.

02.

Complete an online questionnaire

This can be completed from home and takes approximately 20 minutes. It includes questions about your health, medication, lifestyle, well-being, quality of life, memory, and sleep.

03.

Complete a smell test at home (if selected)

Being contacted for this step does not mean that you are at increased risk, as participants with different risk profiles may be invited.

04.

Attend an in-person visit (if invited)

This will take place at the Parkinson Research Clinic in Strassen, Luxembourg City, and will last one morning. It may include:

A medical interview
A medical examination
Smell and memory tests
Collection of blood, saliva, and urine samples
An optional stool sample collected at home using a kit and returned by mail

05.

Provide separate consent for in-person procedures

This must be completed before any in-person assessments or sample collection. You may also refuse individual tests if you do not wish to complete them.

06.

Repeat the online questionnaires annually (if applicable)

You may be asked to complete them once a year if the study is extended and you agree to continue taking part.

Contact & location

Luxembourg Research Clinic (LRC)

6, Rue Nicolas-Ernest Barblé,
L-1210 Luxembourg

Contact

Study team

Prof. Dr Rejko Krüger

Coordinator, National Centre for Excellence in Research on Parkinson’s disease (NCER-PD); Director of Neurology, Luxembourg Research Clinic (LRC), Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH); Neurologist and Medical coordinator, Réseau de Compétences Maladies Neurodégénératives, Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL); Professor for Clinical and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Luxembourg (UL)

Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL)