Montreal Cognitive Assessment for the detection of dementiamer’s disease and other dementias
Abstract Background Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are becoming increasingly common with the aging of most populations. The majority of individuals with dementia will first present for care and assessment in primary care settings. There is a need for brief dementia screening instruments that can accurately detect dementia in primary care settings. The […]
Mini‐Cog for the detection of dementia within a community setting
Abstract Background Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia are becoming increasingly prevalent with the aging of many populations. The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease relies on tests to evaluate cognition and discriminate between individuals with dementia and those without dementia. The Mini‐Cog is a brief, cognitive screening test that is frequently used to evaluate cognition […]
Cholinesterase inhibitors for vascular dementia and other vascular cognitive impairments: a network meta-analysis
Abstract Background Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) describes a broad spectrum of cognitive impairments caused by cerebrovascular disease, ranging from mild cognitive impairment to dementia. There are currently no pharmacological treatments recommended for improving either cognition or function in people with VCI. Three cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, galantamine, and rivastigmine) are licenced for the treatment of dementia […]
Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid ABeta42 for the differential diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease dementia in participants diagnosed with any dementia subtype in a specialist care setting
Abstract Background Dementia is a syndrome that comprises many differing pathologies, including Alzheimer’s disease dementia (ADD), vascular dementia (VaD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). People may benefit from knowing the type of dementia they live with, as this could inform prognosis and may allow for tailored treatment. Beta‐amyloid (1‐42) (ABeta42) is a protein which decreases in […]
Withdrawal or continuation of cholinesterase inhibitors or memantine or both, in people with dementia
Abstract Background Dementia is a progressive syndrome characterised by deterioration in memory, thinking and behaviour, and by impaired ability to perform daily activities. Two classes of drug ‐ cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine) and memantine ‐ are widely licensed for dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease, and rivastigmine is also licensed for Parkinson’s disease dementia. […]
Remotely delivered information, training and support for informal caregivers of people with dementia
Abstract Background Many people with dementia are cared for at home by unpaid informal caregivers, usually family members. Caregivers may experience a range of physical, emotional, financial and social harms, which are often described collectively as caregiver burden. The degree of burden experienced is associated with characteristics of the caregiver, such as gender, and characteristics […]
Souvenaid for Alzheimer’s disease
Abstract Background Souvenaid is a dietary supplement with a patented composition (Fortasyn Connect™)which is intended to be used by people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It has been designed to support the formation and function of synapses in the brain, which are thought to be strongly correlated with cognitive function. If effective, it might improve symptoms […]
Pharmacotherapies for sleep disturbances in dementia
Abstract Background Sleep disturbances, including reduced nocturnal sleep time, sleep fragmentation, nocturnal wandering, and daytime sleepiness are common clinical problems in dementia, and are associated with significant carer distress, increased healthcare costs, and institutionalisation. Although non‐drug interventions are recommended as the first‐line approach to managing these problems, drug treatment is often sought and used. However, […]
Personally tailored activities for improving psychosocial outcomes for people with dementia in community settings
Abstract Background People with dementia living in the community, that is in their own homes, are often not engaged in meaningful activities. Activities tailored to their individual interests and preferences might be one approach to improve quality of life and reduce challenging behaviour. Objectives To assess the effects of personally tailored activities on psychosocial outcomes […]
Aromatherapy for dementia
Abstract Background Medications licensed for the treatment of dementia have limited efficacy against cognitive impairment or against the distressed behaviours (behavioural and psychological symptoms, or behaviour that challenges) which are also often the most distressing aspect of the disorder for caregivers. Complementary therapies, including aromatherapy, are attractive to patients, practitioners and families, because they are […]