Depression in Dementia Caregivers

STUDY BASICS

Are you an informal (unpaid) caregiver for someone who has dementia? Are you at least 60 years old? If so, you may qualify for a research study to learn more about the relationship between caregiving stress and mood. Compensation provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

Caregivers play a vital support role for people with dementia, but the stress of caregiving can lead to an increased risk of depression. The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the relationship between caregiving and depression in older adults. Researchers want to learn more about the ways that caregiving stress affects sleep patterns and brain function. Researchers hope their findings may lead to the development of new prevention approaches for depression in caregivers.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• Ages 60 and up
• Provide unpaid care to a person with dementia
• Experience strain or difficulty providing care

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

This study involves two visits. During the first visit, participants will spend approximately 1.5-2 hours completing interviews and questionnaires regarding caregiving, sleep, and health. Participants will also have a 45 minute magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI) that shows detailed pictures of the brain. MRI is not invasive and does not use radiation. Following the initial visit, participants will be asked to wear an activity tracker on the wrist and to complete a sleep log for a two week period. The same procedures that were done at the initial visit will be repeated a 1.5 years later during visit 2. Between visits, research staff will follow up with participants periodically via phone calls to receive updates regarding caregiving status and mood.