Cambridge City over-75s Cohort study

The Cambridge City over-75s Cohort (CC75C) study is significant as one of the largest, long-running population-based studies of the oldest old, providing invaluable insights into dementia prevalence and the aging process in the UK.

Initially aimed at measuring dementia prevalence, the study quickly evolved into a landmark cohort study on ageing in the UK, tracking more than 2000 individuals until the final participant passed away in 2015, thirty years after the study began.

The study has provided detailed and invaluable insights into the progression of dementia in the ‘oldest-old'. It provided new findings on the incidence of dementia and cognitive changes over time, as well as identifying optimal patterns of care. It also revealed that brain changes can occur without dementia symptoms, challenging previous understandings of the disease's progression.

The study continues to explore the neuropathology of dementia through its collection of brain donations, supported by the Alzheimer's Society. Additionally, ongoing work focuses on the experiences of ‘older-old’ people approaching the end of their lives, looking at issues including emotional well-being and self-rated health for the very old in their last year of life; experiences and perceptions of care from both older old people’s and their carers’ perspectives; and the symptoms and comfort levels experienced by very old people dying in different care settings.