Baseline characteristics, analysis plan and report on feasibility for the Prevention Of Decline in Cognition After Stroke Trial (PODCAST)
We thank all the patients, and their informants, for participating in the trial. We
also thank the funders: the Alzheimer’s Society and the Stroke Association. The sponsor
was the University of Nottingham. Finally, we thank the members of the independent
Data Monitoring Committee who supervised safety from the beginning to end of the trial.
Chief Investigator(s)
P. M. W. Bath (trial, and lipid arm), G. Ford (BP arm)
Trial Steering Committee
Independent members: John O’Brien (Chair, Newcastle/Cambridge), Stephen Ball (Leeds)
Grant holders: Philip M. W. Bath (Chief Investigator, Nottingham), Gary Ford (Co-Chief Investigator,
Newcastle/Oxford), Nikola Sprigg (Deputy Chief Investigator, Nottingham), Clive Ballard
(London), Alistair Burns (Manchester), Jonathan Mant (Cambridge), Peter Passmore (Belfast),
Stuart Pocock (Consultant Statistician, London), John Reckless (Bath), Rob Stewart
(London), Joanna M Wardlaw (Neuroradiologist, Edinburgh).
Patient Carer representatives: Dave Hanbury, John Murray, Shirley Nurock
Funders’ representative: Suzanne Sorensen (Alzheimer’s Society, ?2011), James Pickett (Alzheimer’s Society,
2011–), Peter Coleman (Stroke Association, 2010–14), Kate Holmes (2014–).
Sponsor representative: Angela Shone (University of Nottingham).
Independent Data Monitoring Committee
John Geddes (Oxford, Chair), Jan Staessen (Leuven), Chris Weir (Glasgow, Statistician).
Trial Management Committee
Trial Managers: S. Utton (?2014).
Assistant Trial Manager: H. Foster (2012–).
Medics: Sandeep Ankolekar (?2011), K. Krishnan (2012–).
Coordinators: L. Stokes (?2012), M. Mangoyana (2012–13), K. Whittamore (2013–14), M. Stringer (2014–).
Outcome Coordinators: J. Saunders (?2012), L. Wilkins (2011–12), L. Cobane (2012–13), J. Keeling (2013–).
Data managers: T. Jones (?2013), D. Hazle (2012–), M. Sampson (2013–).
Finance: W. Clarke.
Secretaries: Y. Smallwood, L. Dunn (2013–14).
Cognition/Dementia Adjudicators:
Alistair Burns (Chair, Manchester), Clive Ballard (London), Gary Ford (Newcastle).
Vascular Events Adjudicators:
Peter Passmore (Chair, Belfast), Amit Mistri (Leicester, 2013–14), Robert Henderson
(Nottingham, 2013–14).
Serious Adverse Events Adjudicators
Tim England (Derby).
Neuroimaging Adjudicators
Joanna M. Wardlaw (Chair, Edinburgh), Dan Blackburn (Sheffield, 2014).
Health economics
Paul McCrone (London), Martin Knapp (London)
Statistical Analysis
L. Fox (2012–13), P. Scutt (2013–), Lisa Woodhouse (2014–).
Data Management and Programming
Liz Walker, L. Haywood (2011–), Richard Dooley (2013–14)
Recruiting sites (patients recruited/screened): PI, Investigators
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (6/14): Dr M. J. MacLeod, A. Joyson, H. Gow, J. Furnace
Aintree Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (5/9): Dr R. Durairaj, C. Cullen, D. Dickinson,
M. Ashkar, T. Ingram, V. Sutton, Z. Mellor
Birmingham, Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust – Solihull Hospital (2/9): Dr K.
Elfandi, U. Kahn, S. Stafford
Bournemouth, Royal Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. (6/14): Dr D. Tiwari,
A. Orpen, B. Longland, C. Ovington, E. Rogers, G. Hann, J. Bell, J. Kwan
Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (1/5): Dr C. Patterson, B. Hairsine,
L. Johnston, R. Bellfield
Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (2/9): Dr M. Sajid, M. Ball
Cornwall, Royal Hospitals NHS Trust, Truro (9/17): Dr F. Harrington, A. Mate, C. Schofield,
G. Courtauld, M. Drake
Doncaster Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (1/2): Dr M. Kini, D. Walstow,
M. Hanna
Inverness, Raigmore Hospital (1/3): Dr P. F. Findlay, A. Macaden, I. Shread
Margate, QEQM Hospital (1/1): Dr G. Thomas, S. A. Jones
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (3/10): Dr A. Kalathil, N. Gautam, R.
Miller
Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (6/15): Dr S. Louw, A. Barkat,
G. Kennedy, M. Fawcett, T. Thompson, V. Hogg
North Tees Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust (2/4): Dr B. Kumar, D. Bruce, M. Platton
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (22/27): Dr A. K. Shetty, Prof P. Bath,
Dr K. Krishnan, F. Shelton, J. Clarke, L. Wilkins, Z. Rose, K. Whittamore
Scarborough General Hospital (1/1): Dr J. Paterson, K. Deighton
South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust (1/4): Dr J. Scott, J. Graham, M. Duffy
West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven (1/1): Dr E. Orugun, H. Crowther, R. Jolly
Yeovil District Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (3/17): Dr K. Rashed, C. Buckley, C.
Vickers, D. Hayward, E. Keeling, S. Board
York Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (10/11): Dr J. Coyle, A-M Porteous, M. Keeling,
N. Dyer, P. Willcoxson
Sites that screened but did not recruit:
Bath, Royal United Hospital NHS Trust (4): Dr J. Reckless, B. Madigan, D. Button
Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (1): Dr K. Muhiddin, M. Mangoyana
Leicester, University Hospitals (2): Dr D. Eveson, S. Khan
Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (7): Dr S. Ragab, C. Dickson
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (2): Dr D. Broughton, K. Chapman