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Section title:
Dementias CSG
Introdution:
Introdution:

Chair:  Professor Cornelius Katona, University of Kent

It is estimated that 1 person out of 20 will develop dementia, and there is no way of predicting who will be affected. While there are treatments available, it is clear that we need to do more to develop new, and better, treatments. Working in collaboration with existing research activity, the Dementia Clinical Studies Group (CSG) has set itself several roles, and is geared towards bringing together expertise and enthusiasm in order to establish an authoritative voice in the research community. From the first we have taken the view that patient and public involvement is vital to the success of the group, and are establishing patient and carer representatives as equal members within it.
 
Dementias CSG roles:
  • Actively engaging with studies within the Group’s portfolio
  • Identifying existing high quality studies that should be adopted by DeNDRoN
  • Generating ideas for new studies
  • Contributing to the development of high quality applications
  • Contributing to consultation exercises (for example NICE), as requested
  • Contributing to the Group’s annual report and peer-review of the portfolio
  • Providing expert advice
 
The CSG is also tasked with reviewing existing research/opportunities including the Cochrane collaboration, the MHRN scoping exercise and the UK dementia guidelines. We will also be actively engaging with pertinent issues, and have initiated 31 projects across priority categories including patient and carer experience and quality of care and services, new technologies, diagnosis, treatment of cognitive symptoms, treatment of psychiatric symptoms and behavioural problems, and the prevention of comorbidities.
 
The CSG is planning to be actively involved in collaborative activity. It took a lead role in a May 2007 workshop focusing on in the prevention, prophylaxis and treatment of cognitive impairment after stroke and other cerebrovascular disease, in conjunction with the MHRN and the Alzheimer’s Society. A taskforce has been convened by DeNDRoN, the Alzheimer’s Society and the Stroke Research Network (SRN). An initial event in May tackled the issues around vascular dementia, featuring plenary sessions followed by a series of workshops. It covered clinical trials in stroke and vascular dementia; specific trials examining the treatment and prevention of vascular dementia; and evaluating cognitive impairment as a secondary outcome in stroke trials.
 
Further workshops are planned. These will focus on the subtypes of cerebrovascular disease; specific issues for clinical trials and biological factors; clinical and biological research not limited to clinical trials; genetics; neuroimaging and quality of life issues.
 
Research priorities:
  • Empowering patients and carers from diagnosis and treatment
  • Treatment of dementia in Parkinson’s disease
  • Cardiovascular risk factors and management in Alzheimer’s disease
  • Medication compliance in dementia
  • The cost effectiveness of specialist home care schemes
  • The impact of assisted technologies in care and diagnosis
  • Depression in primary carers and cost effectiveness of early intervention with AChIEs

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