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PROMED-EX Randomised Controlled Trial: Effects of PROtein enriched MEDiterranean Diet and EXercise on nutritional status and cognition in adults at risk of undernutrition and cognitive decline.

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.

What helps the carers? A qualitative study of the media supports used by Irish families who care for a loved one with dementia

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.

Caffeine as a therapeutic option for Alzheimer's disease

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.

Advance Care Planning in Older Persons Mental Health / Dementia

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. 

TUDA study

The Trinity-Ulster-Department-of-Agriculture (TUDA) cohort is a unique and innovative resource for ageing research designed to assess the impact of nutritional, lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors on diseases of ageing, particularly in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, dementia and osteoporosis.

TUDA Study

The Trinity-Ulster-Department-of-Agriculture (TUDA) cohort is a unique and innovative resource for ageing research designed to assess the impact of nutritional, lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors on diseases of ageing, particularly in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, dementia and osteoporosis.

The Eye in Down syndrome as a window to Alzheimer’s Disease

Early, non-invasive, inexpensive biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) are much needed. Those with Down syndrome (DS) are the largest patient group at increased risk of AD. Evidence suggests that imaging the eye could be a non-invasive biomarker to screen for AD. However, there is limited information regarding ocular changes in DS. Our group was the first to image the lens in DS, revealing the presence of small ‘dot’ opacities in the lens in 54% of individuals with DS.

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