The purpose of the study is to generate a bio bank of specimens for research. We will tissue that would otherwise be discarded from clinical or surgical procedure and information from medical records. We will also collect discarded blood, urines and sputum. Collecting samples will help to better understanding the mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases, identify biomarkers for early diagnosis and to predict safety and efficacy of new therapies.

Patients with Alzheimer Disease and patients with Heart failure (and a control group free from both the previous mentioned conditions) will be evaluated with cardiac and neuropsychological assessments, in order to investigate the relationship between the two conditions. The study consists of two initial visits, and a 4- and 8-year follow-up visit.

Two groups of former athletes (who competed in contact and not-contact sports) will undergo brain and heart assessments. Additionally, blood and urines samples will be collected in order to investigate potential markers of disease.