The case-finding study: A novel community-based research recruitment approach for engaging participants with early cognitive decline

INTRODUCTION: Innovative recruitment strategies are needed to better engage potential research participants at a preclinical stage of cognitive decline. METHODS: Local newspaper advertisements attracted community-dwelling people ≥55 years with memory concerns, who were interested in research, to self-refer for cognitive assessment and discuss cognitive research involvement. Respondents completed telephone screening and then attended an in-person cognitive screening assessment with a study partner. Case conferencing with a clinician researcher characterized a “clinical suspicion” of the participant's cognitive concern. RESULTS: Of 209 respondents who underwent in-person assessment, 203 participants were classified as having subjective cognitive decline (47%), mild cognitive impairment (44%), or dementia (9%). Thirty percent of participants were enrolled in observational studies or randomized controlled trials. DISCUSSION: Community-based engagement, cognitive screening, and case conferencing effectively combined to identify research participants at risk of cognitive decline and recruited participants into cognitive research studies. Those not recruited continued to be followed up longitudinally.