DECIDE

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  DECIDE: DElirium and Cognitive Impact in DEmentia

• IRAS ID

  181192

• Contact name

  Sarah Richardson

• Contact email

  Sarah.Richardson1@newcastle.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

• Duration of Study in the UK

  2 years, 11 months, 27 days

• Research summary

  Background:
  Delirium is a medical word used to describe a change in brain function which makes a person become suddenly confused. Their attention, behaviour and concentration may also be affected. The symptoms can come on quickly and change from hour to hour.

  Delirium is common, particularly among people with dementia, older people and those in hospital. Delirium usually gets better within a few days to weeks. However, there is some evidence that delirium may cause permanent damage to the brain. It may make people more likely to develop dementia in the future. In people with dementia, it may make their dementia worse. Unfortunately, we do not understand these effects of delirium very well.

  Previous work has shown there are ways we can prevent some cases of delirium or make the problem get better faster.

  Aims:
  This study aims to understand more about delirium and the effect it has on dementia because it may be a cause of dementia we can reduce or prevent.

  Methods:
  The people to be approached are part of a larger dementia study called the Cognitive Function and Ageing Study-II (CFAS-II). They have regular memory tests. If any of these people come into hospital during the study they will be tested for delirium. They will be monitored for delirium during their hospital stay. They will be seen at home one year later for a memory test to see whether their memory has got worse. The before and after memory tests of those with and without delirium will be compared.

  Expected outcomes:
  This study will increase our knowledge of delirium and the effect it has on dementia. In the future, preventing delirium may be an important part of dementia prevention.

• REC name

  North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  15/NE/0353

• Date of REC Opinion

  18 Nov 2015

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion