title: [Dementia Competence Network. Results and outlook].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Dementia Competence Network (DCN) is represented by academic memory clinics and has three major aims: (1) To facilitate the development of diagnostic tools including neuropsychology, biomarkers, imaging and genetics. (2) To implement clinical trials in mild cognitive impairment and dementia and (3) to improve standard care for dementia in Germany.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article summarizes the achievements of the DCN so far and highlights future perspectives.
  
  
  METHODS
  The DCN has built up two multicentre cohorts. Within the first cohort, patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia were examined longitudinally using multiple neuropsychological assessments and numerous different biomarkers. In a subgroup of the first cohort, patients were treated with antidementive drugs in two placebo-controlled clinical trials. The second cohort included cognitively healthy older people and examined repetitively clinical, neuropsychological and psychosocial parameters for ten years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The DCN has generated a large data and biomaterial bank. Numerous publications have helped to develop further diagnostic procedures and treatment of cognitive disorders and dementia. The DCN has contributed to end stigmatisation of dementia.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin - CBF, Berlin, Deutschland. oliver.peters@charite.de.
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin - CBF, Berlin, Deutschland.
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Heuser
authors.affiliation: Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit Mannheim, Mannheim, Deutschland.
authors.forename: Lutz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Frölich
authors.affiliation: Institut für Medizinische Informatik, Universitätsklinik Göttingen, Göttingen, Deutschland.
authors.forename: Eckart
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rüther
authors.affiliation: Institut für Medizinische Informatik, Universitätsklinik Göttingen, Göttingen, Deutschland.
authors.forename: Otto
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Rienhoff
authors.affiliation: Psychiatrische und Psychotherapeutische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Deutschland.
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kornhuber
authors.affiliation: Institut für Medizinische Informatik, Universitätsklinik Göttingen, Göttingen, Deutschland.
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wiltfang
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Bonn, Deutschland.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Maier
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D005858:Germany; D006078:Government Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D017146:Models, Organizational; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration
keywords: Biomarker; Clinical trials; Dementia; Mild cognitive impairment; Neuroimaging and genetics