Lewy body dementias (LBD, including Parkinson's dementia and Lewy body dementia) accounts for >20% of the nearly 65,000 people with dementia in Ireland. LBD is ‘the most common form of dementia no-one has heard about’. Fewer than 5% of those affected receive a formal diagnosis. LBD is characterised by cognitive-behavioural and physical changes which significantly impact quality of life and care burden. Knowledge, awareness and support in Ireland for LBD is minimal.

Parkinson’s disease is a debilitating disorder characterised by movement disorders, including tremor, cognitive dysfunction and non-motor impairments. It is the second most common age-related neurodegenerative disease with ~10 million sufferers worldwide, but the causes of tremor are poorly understood and treatment is wholly inadequate.

α-Synuclein (α-Syn) pathology is inextricably linked to the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD), yet we have very limited understanding why specific neuronal populations are vulnerable to α-Syn-related PD pathology while others are much more resistant.

The PROtein enriched MEDiterranean Diet and EXercise (PROMED-EX) randomised controlled trial (RCT) aims to determine the efficacy of a protein-enriched Mediterranean diet, with and without exercise, in comparison with standard care, on nutritional status and cognition in adults at risk of undernutrition with subjective cognitive decline. The project will explore the mechanistic pathways in diet-exercise induced change in nutritional status and cognition.

Initial review work with non-participant observation of care to gather observer perspectives of pre-school age children engaging with older people with cognitive decline. Loosely informed by Hodges’ health career framework to include physical, psychological, social and organisational benefits.

Our research aims to explore media supports used by Irish families who care for or have recently cared for a loved one with dementia. Media supports may include podcasts, radio shows, television programmes or adverts, websites, apps, physical information sheets, and other forms of information provision. We want to find out if Irish families caring for a loved one with dementia use resources of this type, if they are suitable, and how they are used in dementia care.

Mounting evidence suggests that dietary caffeine intake may exert some beneficial effects in reducing dementia risk and possibly Alzheimer’s disease, and may be a viable therapeutic approach. Clinical studies also suggest that caffeine is a cognitive normalizer and not a cognitive enhancer. Moreover, some clinical studies suggest the neuroprotective effect of caffeine might be confounded by gender.

This project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of CS-ADL (Cognitive Stimulation in Activities of Daily Living). CS-ADL is an occupational therapist-led, group cognitive stimulation program for people living with mild-to-moderate dementia that aims to enhance their functional performance, alongside their social and cognitive functioning.

Cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) is the only evidence-based intervention that improves cognition and quality of life for people with mild-moderate dementia. CST offers an ideal solution to the demand for early interventions for those with dementia in Ireland.

This doctoral study seeks to gain a holistic understanding of the Mental Health Service for Older Person’s advance care planning practice nationwide, and to identify ways of augmenting and improving decision-making practice with older persons living with dementia or with mental health challenges considering the newly commenced ADM legislation. To achieve this aim, a three-stage action research study, using a combination of quantitative, qualitative, and co-operative inquiry approaches is utilised.