2023 Pilot Awards for Global Brain Health Leaders (GBHI)

Exploring the priorities of people with dementia and multiple comorbidities

What treatment outcomes are most important to individuals living with dementia and comorbidities?

Lucy Stirland, Ph.D.
University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Background

Many researchers believe that there is not a single cause of dementia, but rather, it develops over time as a result of multiple factors such as lifestyle, environment, and genetics. Studies have shown that chronic diseases such as hypertension, obesity, and type 2 diabetes may also contribute to the risk of developing dementia later in life. Little is known about the treatment priorities for individuals with dementia and one or more of these conditions, also called “comorbidities.” For their studies, Dr. Lucy Stirland and colleagues aim to identify the most important treatment outcomes for individuals living with  dementia and comorbidities.

Research Plan

Dr. Stirland and the team will interview individuals with dementia and comorbidities and their care partners. Individuals will be asked what their priorities for treatment are and which outcomes are most important to them and their families. Next, the researchers will use these findings to develop a strategic priorities list that will be provided to clinicians and researchers with recommendations for the design of future dementia research studies.

Impact

Results from this study may provide new insights into what treatment outcomes are meaningful to individuals with dementia and comorbidities. The findings could be used to inform new outcome measures for dementia therapies.