Background: Depression is common in people with dementia, and negatively affects quality of life.
Aims: This paper aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of an intervention for depression in mild and moderate dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease over 12 months (PATHFINDER trial), from both the health and social care and societal perspectives.
Method: A total of 336 participants were randomised to receive the adapted PATH intervention in addition to treatment as usual (TAU) ( = 168) or TAU alone ( = 168).
Introduction: Trials of effectiveness of treatment options for depression in dementia are an important priority.
Methods: Randomized controlled trial to assess adapted Problem Adaptation Therapy (PATH) for depression in mild/moderate dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease.
Results: Three hundred thirty-six participants with mild or moderate dementia, >7 on Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD), randomized to adapted PATH or treatment as usual.
Objective: To adapt and optimize problem adaptation therapy for depression in dementia by grounding it in the lives of people with dementia, caregivers and clinicians.
Methods: A person-centered qualitative approach was taken to elicit the unique cognitive, psychological and social needs of people with dementia relevant to the adaptation of the intervention. A two-stage design was used: the first involved interviews and focus groups to identify priorities and concerns surrounding depression in dementia, the second trialling of the adapted intervention.
Health Technol Assess
November 2018
Background: Very late-onset (aged ≥ 60 years) schizophrenia-like psychosis (VLOSLP) occurs frequently but no placebo-controlled, randomised trials have assessed the efficacy or risks of antipsychotic treatment. Most patients are not prescribed treatment.
Objectives: The study investigated whether or not low-dose amisulpride is superior to placebo in reducing psychosis symptoms over 12 weeks and if any benefit is maintained by continuing treatment thereafter.
Background: Very late (aged ≥60 years) onset schizophrenia-like psychosis occurs frequently but no placebo-controlled, randomised trials have assessed the efficacy and risks of antipsychotic treatment. We investigated whether low-dose amisulpride (100 mg daily) is superior to placebo in reducing psychosis symptoms over 12 weeks and whether any benefit is maintained by continuing treatment after 12 weeks.
Methods: The ATLAS double-blind controlled trial enrolled participants from 25 old age psychiatry services in the UK.
J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv
January 2018
Psychosis symptoms (delusions and hallucinations) are multifactorial in origin and, in later life, occur in the context of schizophrenia, delirium, dementia, delusional and schizophrenia-like disorders, mood disorders, and alcohol or substance abuse. The current article provides a clinical overview of very late-onset (after age 60) schizophrenia-like psychosis (VLOSLP), summarizing the literature on treatment options and reflecting on the role of psychiatric-mental health nurses (PMHNs). Increased awareness of the clinical presentation, key features, and evidence-based treatment options will assist PMHNs to confidently recognize this often under-diagnosed disorder and adopt a more assertive role in terms of engagement and follow up.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Antipsychotic drug sensitivity in very late-onset schizophrenia-like psychosis (VLOSLP) is well documented, but poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate blood drug concentration, D2/3 receptor occupancy and outcome in VLOSLP during open amisulpride prescribing, and compare this with Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Methods: Blood drug concentration, prolactin, symptoms and extrapyramidal side-effects (EPS) were serially assessed during dose titration.