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O3‐01–02: Effect of enriched environmental on motor an memory functions in the APP/PS1KI mouse model of Alzheimer's disease
Author(s) -
Cotel Marie-Caroline,
Wirths Oliver,
Bayer Thomas A.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2008.05.406
Subject(s) - doublecortin , dentate gyrus , neurogenesis , hippocampus , neuroscience , environmental enrichment , psychology , hippocampal formation , immunostaining , immunohistochemistry , medicine
“Booster” intervention designed to extend and enhance previously demonstrated positive impacts on burden, depression, reaction to care recipient symptoms, and beliefs about caregiving of the time-limited Savvy Caregiver Program (SCP) psychoeducational workshop for family caregivers. All participants attend the SCP workshop, after which half are randomized to an eight-month exposure to the “Booster” site. Those randomized to the site can ask questions about dementia symptoms and treatments; learn about community resources to meet newly emerging needs; and receive coaching from the workshop facilitator regarding the application of workshop education, skills training, and role and belief clarification principles to novel situations arising after completion of the SCP. Caregiver burden, depression, reactions and beliefs are assessed before and after the workshop, and at four and eight months post-workshop. Recruitment is projected to be completed in August 2008. Results: This presentation will provide preliminary results using data from 29 subjects expected to have completed at least four-month follow-up assessments by June 2008. After verifying a positive impact of the SCP, we will evaluate the site’s impacts. Practical Issues arising in workshop implementation and in the design and implementation of the Web based intervention will also be discussed. Conclusions: We hypothesize that: 1) Booster Intervention exposure will: a) slow the loss of positive effects associated with the SCP intervention; and b) further reduce burden and depression below levels realized at the last follow-up of the SCP intervention. 2) Caregivers using the Booster Intervention at higher levels will experience greater benefits, although a strictly linear relationship is not expected. 3) Caregiver beliefs will, in part, mediate the relationship between Booster Intervention exposure and positive caregiver outcomes.