Project Aim(s): This proposal aims to combine our novel EEG based technology with detailed neuropsychological assessment to provide a quantitative measure of cognitive change in MS that could be used in a clinical trial setting. The study will also provide an opportunity to assess for the first time the impact of Cladribine on cognitive performance using conventional screening tools, detailed neuropsychological batteries, and experimental neurophysiology based paradigms that could be harnessed for future nested case control studies.
Research
DRNI Members Research is a list of ongoing and completed research carried out by DRNI members.
You can search via project type, disease, or Principal Investigator/Researcher name.
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Project Aim(s): This national survey investigates the location, resourcing, staff composition, treatments, waiting time, and numbers of patients attending memory clinics (MCs) in the Republic of Ireland. It also explores Directors’ attitudes to future service development including their views about the advantages and disadvantages of quality standards for MCs.
Project Aim(s): The aim is to use epidemiologic and clinical datasets to track in detail the patient journey in ALS, and from this to provide a robust staging system, generate cost models and appropriate health economic metrics, and to inform the design of a user-friendly electronic care matrix for optimal ALS management that can be used by non-specialists, and that in turn can be modified for use in other neurodegenerative conditions.
Project Aim(s): This project aims to develop and evaluate group-based psychological interventions for caregivers of patients with ALS, where the objective is to reduce anxiety, low mood, and caregiver burden. The overall purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and efficacy of psychological interventions with this group; to inform best practice regarding the identification and management of caregiver burden in ALS; and to create a formal psychological intervention tailored specifically to the needs and wants of ALS caregivers.
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.
A Systematic Review of the Public’s Knowledge and Understanding of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia.
Project Aim(s): This paper reports findings from a systematic review of the literature on the general public’s knowledge and understanding of dementia/Alzheimer’s disease. The key purpose of the review was to evaluate existing literature with specific attention paid to conceptual and methodological issues and to key findings. Over a 20-year period, 40 published articles satisfied the inclusion criteria. Only 4 of these were qualitative and 5 were cross-national.
The aim of this study is to inform the design of a virtual reality (VR) social connecting space for older adults living with dementia.
Numerous clinical trials have shown that neurons can be transplanted into the Parkinson’s diseased brain to replace the dopamine neurons that have died as a result of the disease process. However, to date, there is no established source of neurons that can be used for widespread application of this therapy. This project is investigating stem cells extracted from the bone marrow as a potential cell source for brain repair and/or protection.
Aims are to:
1. Characterise and compare alcohol consumption patterns in older adults in Ireland
2. Determine associations between alcohol patterns and cognitive function
3. Identify psychosocial mechanisms underpinning relations between alcohol and cognitive function
