The role of the Scottish Dementia Clinical Research Network John - - PDF document

02/07/2014 1

The role of the Scottish Dementia Clinical Research Network

John Starr Joint Director

What are important research advances?

• A new cause
• A new treatment
• A new method
• A new resource

02/07/2014 2

Resources for research

Need to piece resources together Research Networks

02/07/2014 3

Network aims

• Support existing clinical dementia

research in Scotland

• Build dementia research capacity

– Researchers’ training & linking – Direct support of studies – Register of potential participants

Network structure

• All mainland Scottish Health Boards
• Each has clinical lead
• Each has clinical research officer(s)
• Overall network manager & database

manager

• Advisory board with SDWG, Alzheimer

Scotland etc

02/07/2014 4

Direct support of studies

• Adopt existing studies

– Clinical research – Includes NHS staff, patients or facilities

• Provide help when applying for new

studies

– Provision of participants – Training – Direct involvement of staff

• Pilot studies

The Register

02/07/2014 5

Scottish Dementia Research Interest Register

• Register for people with dementia or

related cognitive disorder

• Register for carers
• MREC & R&D approved
• Secure server database
• 3,000+ recruited so far across Scotland
• Allows

– Details to be recorded for future contact – Linkage to other health-related databases

Carer register

• Name
• Address
• Telephone number
• Date of birth
• Often consent along with person with

dementia, but not necessary to do so

– e.g. can have bereaved carers

02/07/2014 6

Person with dementia or related cognitive disorder register

• Personal details
• Consent details
• Diagnosis
• Comorbidities & Medication
• Sensory impairments
• Communication difficulties
• Assessments

– Cognitive, functional, behavioural

02/07/2014 7

No SDCRN studies of music so far

• Current belief that it is a “good thing”

– Playlist for Life – Singing for the Brain

• Current literature

– 295 Medline articles Dementia/AD AND Music/ Musical therapy – 25 RCTs – Most for agitation – Some for mood – A few for cognition

What musical genres?

• Big Band - 1
• Classical – 3 (2 Baroque)
• Participant chosen – 3
• Percussion & Rhythmic - 2
• Singalong - 2
• Unspecified – 12
• Live music more effective than recorded

02/07/2014 8

The future of music in dementia research in Scotland?

Thank you

• Please contact John Starr for further

information

– jstarr@staffmail.ed.ac.uk – 0131 650 4340