Clinical Science Research
Members of the network engaged in clinical and population health research aim to develop diagnostics, and/or therapies for individuals with Dementia or other neurodegeneration. Working with basic and social researchers they adopt an interdisciplinary approach which helps to lead to scientific discoveries which assist in the early detection, diagnosis and treatment of dementia and related conditions and give rise to better patient care.
Areas of focus include:
- Pathophysiological changes in neurodegeneration
- Neuroinflammation
- Deep phenotyping of clinical cohorts
- Diagnosis and disease-modifying pharmaceutical & non-pharmaceutical interventions
- Prevalence rates of dementia & other neurodegenerative conditions
- Epidemiology & health service research
- Caregiving & stress
Research Initiatives in Clinical Science
Living and Dying with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Population based Analysis of Palliative Needs, Services and Outcomes in Non-malignant Terminal Illness
Adopting a three pronged multidisciplinary research approach the programme is organised in three specific and interlinked work packages relating to Amyotrophic Lateral Scerosis, spanning clinical, epidemiological and health services research including health economics. The research aims to generate a framework for optimal management of ALS and explore its relevance for other neurological conditions.
Neuro-Enhancement for Independent Lives – NEIL
NEIL is an umbrella programme, comprised of several large-scale research initiatives that look for new ways to enhance cognitive function in older adults and to delay or prevent dementia in at risk populations. Research projects include RelAte: A relationship-based mealtime intervention for older adults living alone, CST, the development of a Caregiver Support Tool and the development of a range of educational resources for academics, health practitioners and members of the general public.
Dublin Brain Bank
The Dublin Brain Bank is a collaboration between the Neuropathology Department of Beaumont Hospital and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. It aims to facilitate an archive of brain tissue, which will help clinical and neuroscience researchers uncover potential cures for neurological diseases.
The Dementia Services Information and Development Centre (DSIDC)
The Dementia Services Information and Development Centre (DSIDC) is a National Centre for excellence in dementia. It provides educational courses and training days to staff providing services to people with dementia in many different care settings around the country. Their research activities focus on the development of timely, responsive and accessible interventions for people with dementia.
A study of Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) and Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in Ireland
This research aims to identify patients with FTD, to collect blood samples for genetic studies, perform brain imaging using MRI and collect brain wave data using EEG. It is anticipated that analysis of this data and the establishment of an FTD patient database will led to a better understand of FTD with the ultimate goal of developing new and improved treatment strategies.
