Thursday, June 02, 2005

Alzheimer's Research Trust

Alzheimer's Research Trust - funding research into Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.: "The Alzheimer's Research Trust is funding the best major research projects to make a difference"

Definition: Alzheimer's disease is the commonest cause of dementia, accounting for about 65% of dementia in the elderly. Dementia due to narrowing of the brain's blood vessels (vascular dementia) and Lewy body dementia make up most of the remainder. Rarely, dementia can be reversed, for example if it is due to thyroid hormone deficiency or deficiency of vitamin B-12 or folic acid. It is therefore important that all patients with dementia are screened for these treatable causes.

In some cases of Alzheimer's disease, mental decline may occur relatively rapidly whilst in others the loss of cognitive ability may be more gradual. Alzheimer's disease shortens the life span and, although patients may live for as many as 15 years after diagnosis, the average period to death (usually from an infection) is about 8 years.

Symptoms: Loss of memory is the first and most characteristic symptom; often, early childhood memories are preserved whereas recognition of a loved one, work colleague or sense of daily routine is lost. As the disease progresses, language difficulties, difficulties in co-ordination, depression, paranoia, aggressive outbursts, delusions and hallucinations may take hold. Self-neglect, incontinence, wandering and disorientation necessitate constant supervision.

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Alzheimer Scientist's Diary

Diary of an Alzheimer Scientist Always bear in mind that Alzheimer's: "is strongly associated with ageing, but not the inevitable consequence thereof..." there is also some evidence, for example, that both physical and mental activity are to some extent protective."

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Dementia - Centre for Health Service Research - University of Newcastle

Dementia - Centre for Health Service Research - University of Newcastle: "WANdering in DementiA (WANDA)

Sponsors: NHS HTA grant
Wandering is a common problem in dementia occurring in up to 40% of people. The term wandering refers to a complex collection of different behavioural abnormalities which occur for a multitude of reasons.

systematic review is therefore required to synthesise the evidence for the other non-pharmacological interventions listed above.

This project aims to determine the clinical and cost effectiveness of non-drug related interventions to prevent/reduce wandering in people with dementia, and to assess their acceptability to relevant stakeholders, through a systematic review.

Objectives

1.To perform a systematic review of all relevant studies involving non pharmaceutical interventions to prevent wandering in dementia and determine their clinical and cost effectiveness in comparison to usual care from the perspectives of patients, carers and service providers;

2.To evaluate the acceptability to stakeholders of such interventions and identify ethical issues associated with their use, and the extent to which issues of acceptability and ethics are assessed in relation to such interventions; and,

3.To explore objective 2) in greater depth through a qualitative study involving relevant stakeholders.

This project aims to determine the clinical and cost effectiveness of non-drug related interventions to prevent/reduce wandering in people with dementia, and to assess their acceptability to relevant stakeholders, through a systematic review. If the available evidence on cost effectiveness is too limited or of unsatisfactory quality, the economic evaluation will include a simulation modelling exercise. Outcomes will include the number of successful/attempted exits, number and nature of accidents, acceptability measures for both patients and carers, quality of life measures and assessment of costs of care. The project will also consider in greater depth the acceptability and ethical implications of such interventions through a qualitative study of relevant stakeholders, such as people with dementia, their informal and formal carers and health and social care professionals via focus groups and one to one interviews."

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