Introduction

The aim of the project is to identify already existing guidelines and establish a comparative report on commonalities and differences. This report will then be used to develop consensual guidelines acceptable to the various networks and project partners.

Duration

The project started in January 2006 and will end in December 2008.

Partners

Work package leader:

• Rupert McSHANE, University of Oxford

Main partner:

• University of Oxford

Associated partners:

• VU University Medical Centre
• National Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology
• Rheinische Kliniken Düsseldorf – Kliniken der Heinrich-Heine-Universitä
• University of Rome “La Sapienza”
• Alzheimer Europe

Objectives

The project will aim to identify diagnostic instruments and guidelines for treatments for dementia used in countries within the EU in order to develop truly European and multi-disciplinary guidelines. Existing guidelines will be compared with the comparative reports on treatment and diagnosis and used to develop possible consensus guidelines.

The project will also develop a database of these diagnostic and treatment guidelines. This database would be of great use to all people interested in guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of dementia, professionals and consumers alike.

Methodology

The work will follow the general methodology with a thorough literature search on existing guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The various national and professional guidelines will be translated (when necessary) and coded according to the degree of scientific evidence they are based on in and presented in a comparative report which assesses the differences in these guidelines by specifically stressing local circumstances and particularities. On the basis of these findings, draft consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of dementia will be elaborated by the working group and circulated for consultation to the membership at large of the network.

The received feedback will be integrated into the final consensus document, which will be approved by the Steering Committee and then circulated for endorsement to the European organisations.

A database of diagnostic and treatment guidelines in the field of dementia will be set up and coded with the most relevant information. This database will be made available on the Alzheimer Europe website and free to use for all interested professionals.

Milestones

• February 2006: Finalisation of research methodology
• October 2006: Finalisation of literature search
• June 2007: Comparative report and database on findings
• June 2008: Consensus document
• December 2008: Endorsement and presentation

Results

The work package will result in database of existing guidelines and the publication of a comparative report describing the differences and common points of existing guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, as well as the development of consensus guidelines in this field.