Take action for your brain health from mid-life onwards.

PROTECT Hong Kong is a long-term online research study. By completing yearly brain health and lifestyle assessments, you help researchers understand why some people keep their thinking skills sharp into later life and how we can reduce dementia risk.

香港PROTECT研究：透過網上認知及生活習慣評估，了解腦部老化及認知障礙風險。

40+ years old – starting in mid-life

100% online, free to take part

Led by researchers at The Chinese University of Hong Kong and the University of Exeter. Your answers are kept confidential and used for research only.

Typical PROTECT Hong Kong participant dashboard Sample view

Last brain check

12 min

to complete online tests

Annual follow-ups

1–2

short visits each year

Lifestyle surveys

Brief

about health & daily life

Study duration

Ongoing

long-term ageing research

Memory & attention

Thinking speed

Everyday function

Your participation helps research on dementia prevention

What is the PROTECT Hong Kong study?

An online research platform following thousands of adults over time to understand brain ageing and dementia risk.

As people are living longer, maintaining brain health has become one of the most important challenges for individuals, families and societies. PROTECT Hong Kong is part of an international research programme that studies how lifestyle, health and genetics affect how our brains age.

By taking part, you complete regular online memory and thinking tasks and answer questionnaires about your health and daily life. Over time, this information helps researchers see which factors are linked with better – or worse – outcomes for brain health.

Fully online – you can take part from home using a computer or tablet.
Short sessions – most visits take less than 30 minutes.
Long-term follow up – so we can track changes in brain function over time.

Ethics-approved research study with secure data handling

How does taking part work?

Simple online steps that fit around your everyday life.

1 Register online
Create a secure account on the PROTECT Hong Kong website and provide consent to take part.
2 Complete your first assessment
Fill in questionnaires about your health and lifestyle, and do short memory and thinking tasks online.
3 Return once or twice per year
We invite you back regularly so we can see how your thinking skills change over time.
4 Option to join sub-studies
From time to time, you may be invited to additional optional studies, such as brain training or lifestyle programmes.

Who can take part?

We are inviting adults in Hong Kong who can use a computer and are willing to complete online tasks each year.

To make sure the study is safe and scientifically useful, there are some basic eligibility criteria. These may be refined over time as the study develops.

You are aged 40 or over.
You live in Hong Kong, or spend a substantial part of the year here.
You have not been diagnosed with dementia.
You can use a computer or tablet with internet access.
You are willing to complete online assessments in English (and/or Chinese, where available).

Why your participation matters.

Every person who joins adds valuable information that can help future generations.

“

“By taking part in PROTECT Hong Kong, you are contributing to research that aims to keep our brains healthy for longer. Even small amounts of your time, given regularly, can make a real difference to what we learn about dementia risk.”

Will I get individual medical advice or diagnoses?

No. PROTECT Hong Kong is a research study, not a clinical service. We cannot give medical advice or diagnose dementia. If you have concerns about your memory or thinking, please speak to your doctor.

How long do I need to stay in the study?

We hope you will stay involved for many years, as this makes the research much more powerful. However, you are free to withdraw at any time, without giving a reason.

Is there any payment for taking part?

There is no payment for participation. The study is funded as a research project, and your contribution is voluntary.

Who has reviewed and approved this study?

The study has been reviewed by research ethics committees and is run by academic institutions. Details of the approvals are provided in the Participant Information Sheet.

Ready to join PROTECT Hong Kong?

If you are aged 40 or over and living in Hong Kong, you can register online and start your first assessment in just a few steps.

Set aside around 30–40 minutes for your first visit.
Make sure you are in a quiet place where you can concentrate.
Use a computer or tablet with a stable internet connection.

You can pause and resume some parts of the assessment if you need a break.