CORE--CENTRAL COORDINATING CORE

中央协调核心（CCC）协调PPG的临床研究、数据库管理和战略规划。CCC在三个临床研究中心实施项目（PPG）的总体前瞻性纵向设计。目的是招募和跟踪450名受试者的样本：200名正常对照和250名不同程度的认知障碍归因于皮质下缺血性血管性痴呆（SIVD）或阿尔茨海默病（AD）。对于< 80岁的正常对照，每2年评估一次认知/功能状态，每4年重复一次磁共振成像（MRI）。对于受试者和> 80岁的老年对照，每年随访认知/功能状态，每2年重复MRI。研究项目依靠CCC对受试者进行分类，并确保关键认知/功能数据的质量。尽管病理学核心最终决定了CVD、AD或AD/CVD混合的可能性，但CCC负责获得 同意并协调尸检程序。CCC管理来自所有三个核心（临床、成像和病理）的数据。关键的临床变量包括人口统计学、痴呆的发作和持续时间、日常生活活动、精神状态评分、神经心理学测试 评分、临床痴呆评级（CDR）、临床诊断和受试者分类。关键的影像学资料包括腔隙的数量、位置和大小，皮质灰质、白色物质、白色物质高信号（WML）的体积，脑室和脑沟的脑脊液，以及脑室的体积。关键的病理学数据包括AD、SIVD或AD/SIVD混合的总体可能性，腔隙性梗死的数量、大小和位置，以及神经纤维缠结、神经炎性斑块、白色物质脱髓鞘和微血管疾病的严重程度。所有四个研究项目都使用这些数据。PPG研究人员合作良好。每年至少举行两次面对面会议，审查进展情况，设定目标， 并制定战略。每月举行电话会议，以检查进展情况和维持课程。电子通信工具，特别是电子邮件，缩短了校园之间的地理距离。顾问和外部咨询小组提供了宝贵的反馈和指导。方案规划小组作为一个重要和有凝聚力的整体发挥作用。

The Central Coordinating Core (CCC) coordinates clinical research, database management, and strategic-planning across the PPG. The CCC implements the overall prospective longitudinal design of the program project (PPG) across three clinical sites. The goal is to recruit and to follow a sample of 450 subjects: 200 normal controls and 250 subjects with variable degrees of cognitive impairment attributed to subcortical ischemic vascular dementia (SIVD) or Alzheimer disease (AD). For normal controls < 80 years, cognitive/functional status is assessed every 2 years and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is repeated every 4 years. For subjects and older controls > 80 years, cognitive /functional status is followed every year, and MRI is repeated every 2 years. The research projects depend upon the CCC for classifying subjects and for ensuring the quality of key cognitive / functional data. Although the Pathology Core ultimately determines the likelihood of CVD, AD, or mixed AD/CVD, the CCC is responsible for obtaining consent and for coordinating the autopsy program. The CCC manages data from all three Cores (Clinical, Imaging, and Pathology). Key clinical variables include demographics, onset and duration of dementia, activities of daily living, mental status scores, neuropsychological test scores, clinical dementia rating (CDR), clinical diagnosis, and subject categorization. Key imaging data include the number, location, and size of lacunes, the volume of cortical gray matter, white matter, white matter hyperintensities (WML), ventricular and sulcal cerebral spinal fluid, and the volume of the hippocampi. The key pathological data include the overall likelihood ofAD, SIVD, or mixed AD/SIVD, numbers, size, and location of lacunar infarcts, and the severity of neurofibrillary tangles, neuritic plaques, white matter demyelination, and microvascular disease. These data are utilized by all four of the research projects. PPG investigators work well together. In person meetings are held at least twice a year to review progress, set goals, and to plan strategy. Monthly teleconferences are conducted to check progress and maintain course. Electronic communication tools, especially e-mail, mitigate the geographic distances between campuses. Consultants and an external advisory group provide invaluable feedback and guidance. The PPG functions as a vital and cohesive whole.