Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on RADAR-CNS and RADAR-AD projects

The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has inevitably impacted several EU projects. The RADAR-CNS and RADAR-AD projects are monitoring the situation closely and are in contact with the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI), the funder of the two projects.

RADAR-AD: In line with measures taken by local governments, the start of the clinical study of RADAR-AD has been postponed to later this year. Postponing the start of the study will help to reduce traffic to and from the hospitals by staff and research participants. This will help to halt the spread of the virus, and helps in protecting the staff and participants. Many members of the RADAR-AD team are currently working from home and performing tasks that can be fulfilled remotely, using software that can assist with this, which can be found over here, so they are always available and able to carry out their duties. Participants ready to enroll in the study have been informed personally about the postponement of the study start.

RADAR-CNS:

  • The first RADAR-CNS Epilepsy study has paused recruitment of new participants during this time.
  • The RADAR-CNS multiple sclerosis study has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe. Since the end of February, all participant neurological visits at the three European centres have been reduced in terms of time spent at the center for security reasons. Therefore, all clinical assessments, assessment of disability through Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and other clinical tests the RADAR-MS research teams carrying out regularly have been canceled. However, they have been able to conduct the remaining tests through phone interviews.
  • At present, the RADAR-CNS Major Depressive Disorder study has not been affected by the recent outbreak of Coronavirus. The team has all quickly adapted to working remotely and is still available for contact. The researchers really appreciate the continued participation of all those enrolled, especially given the current circumstances.

Dr Grace Lavelle, adds ‘The valued contributions from our participants are now more important than ever to help us gain a better understanding and insight, into the lives of people living with major depressive disorder. We are therefore asking participants to continue to engage with RADAR as best they can during this period. We really appreciate all the ongoing support of the RADAR-CNS MDD arm and extensive contributions being made as we work towards a better understanding of ways to track and predict symptoms of depression.’

https://www.radar-ad.org/newsroom/impact-covid-19-pandemic-radar-ad

https://www.radar-cns.org/newsroom/impact-covid-19-pandemic-radar-cns