Memory Clinics Research Database & Studies on Agitation in Dementia
Spotlight On: Dr. Sanjeev Kumar
March 18, 2019
Dr. Kumar is a scientist and psychiatrist at CAMH. His passion for dementia research stems from his intellectual curiosity to understand different functions of the brain. As a psychiatrist he is interested to investigate behavioural symptoms in relation to changes in the brain.
“Dementia is a major challenge for us all, particularly as dementia numbers are on the rise,” said Dr. Kumar. According to the Alzheimer Society, there are currently an estimated 564,000 Canadians living with dementia and that number will rise to 937,000 in 15 years. “Dementia not only impacts the patient but the entire family as well. The impact is that you lose your most prized possession – your sense of self and your connection to others”. It is this challenges that motivates Dr. Kumar to continue his work, particularly in research to find a cure to solve the dementia challenge.
“While the work is very difficult, the biggest misconception that surrounds dementia is that it is hopeless – it is not hopeless,” said Dr. Kumar. “We can make a tremendous difference in a patient’s life. We can treat some of their symptoms. We can put safety mechanisms in place to support patients.” Dr. Kumar stresses the importance of education about dementia, especially for family members to better understand the symptoms.
More research and data is needed to better understand the dementia patient population – this is the purpose of the TDRA Memory Clinics Research Database which Dr. Kumar and TDRA colleagues lead. The Database Project, as it is also known, collects a standardized set of data among the dementia population and aims to help researchers understand the similarity and differences among various dementias.
Dr. Kumar is also leading studies which investigate mild electric stimulation to the brain to treat agitation in dementia. Agitation affects up to 60% of people living with Alzheimer’s disease. People experiencing agitation often show symptoms of anxiety and aggression. Preliminary results show that small electric charges to the brain may have positive effects on behaviour and cognition in people living with Alzheimer’s disease. More details on the tTed Study. Another interesting study Dr. Kumar is working on is the S-CitAD Study which investigates the effectiveness of an anti-depressant medication, known as escitalopram, in treating agitation in dementia.
When asked the big question - how can we prevent risk of dementia? Dr. Kumar says, “What is good for the heart is good for the brain” and encourages us to adopt a healthy diet of low saturated fats with ample of fruits and vegetables and exercise. “Having a social network is also important for mental stimulation.”
To learn more about dementia and how you can join the fight against dementia, we encourage you to visit: the Alzheimer Society of Toronto and Alzheimer Society of Ontario.
