Publications by authors named "D G Ahearn"

Cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) is widely used with people with dementia, but there is no evidence of its efficacy in mild cognitive impairment or dementia in Parkinson's disease (PD-MCI; PDD) or dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). We aimed to explore the impact of 'CST-PD', which is home-based, individualized CST adapted for this population. In a single-blind, randomized controlled exploratory pilot trial (RCT), we randomized 76 participant-dyads [PD-MCI ( = 15), PDD ( = 40), DLB ( = 21) and their care partners] to CST-PD or treatment as usual (TAU).

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Background: Drug-based therapeutic approaches for Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are moderately effective and not always tolerated. Tailoring psychosocial approaches in PDD and DLB may offer additional support and improve outcomes. We adapted home-based, care partner-delivered Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) for individuals with PDD or DLB and their care partners (CST-PD).

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Recent (2012) grave but rare outbreaks of fungal meningitis and endophthalmitis associated with drugs contaminated with select environmental moulds (Exserohilum and Fusarium, respectively) have exacerbated mycology concerns for formulation, good laboratory practices (GLP), and use of the final drug product. Intensified investigations (2013-2015) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that included added responsibilities for specialty compounding laboratories have prompted at least nine voluntary mould-related drug recalls during 2014-2015. Both primary manufactures (five recalls, two companies) and secondary-processing compound laboratories (at least eight recalls, six companies) and near 0.

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Research to identify whether dizziness is a geriatric syndrome has largely overlooked often treatable vestibular causes. To ascertain the degree to which vestibular and other causes of dizziness interact in older people, an eight-month retrospective case-note review was undertaken in patients aged ≥: 65 years referred with dizziness or imbalance to an audiovestibular medicine clinic. Of 41 patients aged 65-93 years old, 15 (37%) had multiple symptom triggers, 23 (56%) had recent dizziness-related falls, 24 (59%) and 10 (24%) had peripheral and central vestibular causes for dizziness respectively, whereas 6 (15%) had both.

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