WSU Receives Grant from Alzheimer’s Association

Hi everyone,

This is a press release that I received today and wanted to share.  It is centered around those diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment AND their caregivers.

WSU Awarded Alzheimer’s Association Grant to Test New Intervention
Source Contacts:
Maureen Schmitter-Edgecombe, WSU College of Liberal Arts, 509-335-0170, schmitter-e@wsu.edu;
Dennis Dyck, WSU Spokane, 509-358-7618, dyck@wsu.edu;
Joel Loiacono, Alzheimer’s Association – Inland Northwest Chapter, 509-473-3390, joel.loiacono@alz.org

Media Contact:
Judith Van Dongen, WSU Spokane, 509-358-7524, jcvd@wsu.edu

PULLMAN, WASH. – Researchers at Washington State University have received a $320,000 grant from the Alzheimer’s Association to test a novel intervention for the treatment of individuals with mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

This three-year early intervention study will be the first to examine the effectiveness of a new treatment method that integrates two existing interventions: One is a cognitive rehabilitation method that was built in part on the work of WSU professor of psychology Maureen Schmitter-Edgecombe, the principal investigator of this study. The other is a therapy named multi-family group treatment, which was originally developed to treat schizophrenia.
Co-principal investigator and WSU professor of psychology in neurosciences Dennis Dyck successfully adapted this family-based treatment for patients with traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury, and has been working with researchers from the Veterans Affairs Health Care System to adapt it for traumatic brain injury in returning veterans, specifically. The goal of the new intervention is to identify ways to keep people functioning independently for longer, decrease caregiver burden, and increase social support networks for both patients and family.

“We don’t have any proven pharmacological interventions right now,” said Schmitter-Edgecombe, “and there’s not a whole lot out there in terms of education or support for individuals and their families when people do get diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. So we’re hoping that we will be developing something that can be used to help patients and their family members cope and compensate.”

Using a randomized controlled study design, the study will look at 40 patient-caregiver “teams,” or dyads, half of whom will be included in the intervention. The other half will serve as controls, receiving standard care from their personal physicians and getting tested at the same intervals as the intervention group.
The intervention consists of 10 weeks of twice weekly sessions in multi-family groups of five to seven dyads, led by two clinicians. Sessions alternate between those aimed at teaching cognitive skills and memory strategies, such as the use of a memory notebook to record past actions and plan future ones, and those focused on the problem-solving activities and socialization that are central to the multi-group family treatment method.

“Working with both patient and caregiver is key,” said Dyck. “There’s a lot of information that a clinician normally doesn’t get that can be obtained by including the spouse or caregiver. “ He also noted that this team approach helps strengthen the mutual understanding of the difficulties being faced.

The researchers are looking to run intervention groups in Spokane and Pullman, and potentially also in Lewiston, Idaho, starting in late spring or early summer of next year. Study participants will be recruited through multiple methods, including referrals by study collaborator Dr. David Greeley, a neurologist with Northwest Neurological.  WSU research associate Diane Norell will train and supervise the clinicians who will be conducting the groups.

Cognitive testing will be done both prior to and following the intervention to determine its effectiveness.
“What we’re hoping to see is that patients use the memory techniques and strategies they have been taught and that they will report fewer everyday memory lapses as a result,” Schmitter-Edgecombe said. Other anticipated outcomes include less reported distress and enhanced quality of life for both members of the dyad, as well as a strengthening of their relationship.

Individuals interested in participating in this intervention study may call (509) 335-4033, extension 1, for additional information. Eligible individuals must be 50 years or older; be experiencing mild memory problems (to be verified through screening); be able to participate in psychometric testing and groups; and have a spouse or another family member or friend willing to participate. There is no cost to participate, and each dyad will receive an honorarium.
About the Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Its mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. For more information, visit www.alz.org. You can contact your local Chapter at 509-473-3390.
Related Links:
Washington State University
Alzheimer’s Association, Inland Northwest Chapter
“Maureen Schmitter-Edgecombe’s work to help people with memory loss” – Washington State Magazine, Spring 2009
“Research Brings Hope to Injured Veterans” – WSU Spokane Campus Bulletin, May 14, 2008