Antidepressants in Dementia: A Systematic Review Summary

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ABSTRACT

Dementia is a severe and progressively disabling condition that effects almost all aspects of the life of the sufferer. Most researchers agree that dementia is a symptom of a disease process that is not a natural and normal part of aging. The symptoms of dementia may be caused by more than 70 known diseases, but Alzheimer's disease alone accounts for more than half of the cases. Memory impairment is a cardinal feature of dementia, and usually is the most prominent patient complaint in the initial stages of the disorder. Deficiencies in abstract thinking, problem solving, and the ability to shift and maintain cognitive set are also prominent features of most forms of dementia, and should be thoroughly assessed in the dementia evaluation. As the older adult population increases, the number of diagnosed cases of dementia continues to rise. Depression is a common co-morbid disorder in dementia. Recognition and treatment of depressive symptoms are vitally important in disease management as untreated depression is associated with increased disability and reduced quality of life. Antidepressants are widely prescribed to treat depression in patients with dementia. The main objective for conducting this research is to systematically review the use of antidepressants in case of depression in dementia.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACTII

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY1

Research Design1

Research Aims and Objectives3

Qualitative Research3

Research Method5

Data Collection6

Additional Online searches7

Search Strategy7

Selection Criteria7

Data Extraction8

Position of the Researcher8

Reliability and Validity9

Ethical Concerns10

REFERENCES13

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY

This chapter will provide the research method used for conducting this research study. Methodology is a significant element of any research study. Saunders et al (2007) explains that the methodology of the study is an organized technique in which the data or information is gathered so that the research question can be answered or the research hypothesis can be proved. To put it simply, the methodology of the research study is a sketch or a map which helps the researcher to conduct the study in an organized and proper flow and to gather information which can help the researcher to answer the research questions.

Research Design

The main purpose of this study is to determine the role and efficacy of antidepressants for treating depression in patients with dementia. The methodology used for the purpose of this research is based on the qualitative data. This research is more or less based on the literature review & the conclusions are drawn on the basis of actual resources listed in the references. Both primary and secondary data can be collected by using qualitative research method. Therefore, in this research the researchers chose to apply qualitative research method for conducting the research study. Most of the secondary data was gathered through libraries, both online and public. Additionally, the researcher also used publications like newspapers and magazines to gather relevant information. The instruments to be built, would lead to obtaining the actual data collected and once you can move to the next phase of processing the data as information. Once outlined the research and performed all the tasks that allow the launching of ...