Researcher from University of the West of Scotland, Isla Scullion, is recruiting for a study relating to pets and early-onset dementia. Read more about Isla’s research and how to get involved below. 

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether owning pets is a positive or negative for people with early-onset dementia. The relationship between people with this type of dementia and pets hasn’t been the focus of much research in the past so this study will aim to look further into this. Participants will be a family member or close friend of someone who has been diagnosed with early-onset dementia and owns/has a close relationship with a pet.  It is up to you to decide whether or not to take part. If you do decide to take part you will be given an  information sheet to keep and be asked to sign a consent form. If you decide to take part you are still free to withdraw at any time up to 14 days after the interview has taken place without giving a reason. In order to withdraw, participants simply email the lead researcher and state they wish to withdraw. All participants will be required to do is take part in a semi-structured interview which will take place online using Microsoft teams and should take no longer than 60 minutes. All participants will have the option to have their camera on during the call otherwise only their audio will be recorded. The data will be anonymous and will be kept in a password protected OneDrive account. After the interview participants will not be required to do anything else for the study. By taking pet in this study participants will be helping to further the research into how to manage early-onset dementia which will hopefully be helpful to people in the future who find themselves in a position where either themselves, or someone close to them has been given this diagnosis.

If you are interested in taking part please contact Isla Scullion at B00374877@studentmail.uws.ac.uk.

Read more SDRC Latest

Scottish Neurological Research Fund 2021: Award Announcement

We have produced a report based on the findings of how COVID-19 has impacted our members’ research- with particular focus on ECRs

Alzheimer Scotland Centre for Policy and Practice (ASCPP) Annual Celebration Report

The Alzheimer Scotland Centre for Policy and Practice (ASCPP) has launched its Annual Celebration Report to showcase the work of the Centre and celebrate outstanding dementia care during the pandemic.  The ASCPP is led by Professor Debbie Tolson, one of our SDRC...

New SDRC Executive Committee Member: Dr Leah Macaden

Following the 2022 SDRC Executive Committee election, Dr Leah Macaden has been elected as a new member. Find out more in Leah's biography below. Dr Leah Macaden is a Senior Lecturer in Nursing at the University of Edinburgh with a rich and diverse range of academic,...

How COVID has Impacted Early Career Researchers: July 2020 Survey Findings

You may be aware, since the start of the pandemic, the SDRC have been communicating with members on the impact of Covid on dementia research. At the start of lockdown, we ran a survey to find out how the pandemic has affected ECRs.  From this we created a report,...

Treating dementia, what’s next and how do we get there?

On the 21st September 2021, World Alzheimer's Day, Alzheimer Scotland held their annual conference. It was a virtual event which was attended by people with dementia, carers, practitioners and other members of the public from all over Scotland.  In the afternoon...

The launch of the SDRC Annual Report 2019/20

The SDRC Annual Report 2019/20, launched on Monday 20th April, outlines what is new in dementia and brain health research in Scotland in the past 12 months. Once again, we are able to show the truly amazing quantity, quality and diversity of research happening...

The launch of the SDRC Annual Report 2020/21

The SDRC Annual Report 2020/21, launched at the SDRC Annual Conference 2021 on Wednesday 16th June. It outlines what research has been ongoing in dementia and brain health research in Scotland in the past 12 months. Of course, it heavily features the impact COVID has...

Neuroprogressive and Dementia Research Network Conference 2022

This year's Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network (from NHS Research Scotland) Annual Conference will be day focused on those most impacted by research outcomes, and an opportunity to learn from their experiences to improve the research landscape. It will bring...

Research Strategy Oversight Board Chair: Henry McLeish

The Scottish Dementia Research Consortium, Brain Health Scotland and Alzheimer Scotland are delighted to announce the appointment of Henry McLeish as the Chair of the Scottish Brain Health and Dementia Research Strategy Oversight Board.  In July 2021, the SDRC,...

Professor John Starr: A tribute

We're deeply saddened to hear that Professor John Starr has passed away. Prof Starr supported our work for many years as an Alzheimer Scotland Trustee, and as the Director of the Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre at the University of Edinburgh....