Caregiver prognosis in neurodegenerative disease

Applications are invited for this self-funded, 36-48 Month project within the Institute of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Aberdeen.

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), are a major and increasing cause of death and disability globally. With no known cure, caregivers often provide long-term, increasing levels of support for patients with advancing motor and cognitive symptoms.

While caregiver input may improve outcomes for patients, caregivers can experience significant challenges over the course of their caregiving activities, including worsening anxiety and depression, declining health, or poor overall quality of life. These challenges may be particularly detrimental to aging caregivers, who often require support themselves. Caregiver strain also has wider health service implications as caregiver burden is a risk factor for healthcare utilisation and institutionalisation.  

An improved understanding of caregiver prognosis will improve health outcomes for both patients with neurodegenerative disease and their caregivers and reduce the societal and economic burden of caregiving. Identifying key modifiable predictors of caregiver prognosis will enable healthcare practitioners to help caregivers anticipate and prepare for their caregiver role, as well as serve as key outcomes for future complex interventional studies.

PhD aims:

1. Through systematic reviews in parkinsonian conditions (PD, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal syndrome (CBS)), AD, Huntington’s disease (HD) and motor neuron disease (MND): (a) identify and compare caregiver-related predictors of patient prognosis (mortality and morbidity e.g. functional dependency, institutionalisation, mood)); (b) identify and compare the predictors (patient- and caregiver-related) of caregiver prognosis (mortality and morbidity e.g. mood, quality of life, caregiver burden).
2. Using existing data from the Parkinsonism Incidence in the North-East (PINE) study (n=194 incident parkinsonism patients and their caregivers with 20 years of follow-up) and the Scottish PSP and CBS cohort (n=174 recruited prevalent PSP/CBS patients and their caregivers with baseline/6-month follow-up) describe the care input and outcomes over time in the caregivers of people with degenerative parkinsonism and evaluate the predictors of prognosis (mortality and morbidity).
3. Through focus groups and interviews with caregivers of people with neurodegenerative disease, using existing conceptual models as a framework for discussion (e.g. Sörensen Model of Carer Stress and Burden, Informal Caregiving Integrative Model), explore areas including primary stressors (patient features), secondary stressors (caregiver features), primary appraisal (carer involvement), secondary appraisal (coping strategies), tertiary appraisal (perceived carer burden/benefits), and protective factors (social support, relationship quality etc) influencing caregiver prognosis.
4. Using data from Aim 1-3 with additional input from multidisciplinary health care professionals, begin to develop standardised caregiver datasets for inclusion in future disease platforms and as core outcomes for future complex interventional studies in neurodegenerative disease.

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Applicants to this project should hold a minimum of a 2:1 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject.

We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities, and are committed to having a diverse, inclusive team.

Informal enquiries are encouraged, please contact Dr Diane Swallow (diane.swallow@abdn.ac.uk) for further information.

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APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Please note: This is a self-funded opportunity.

• Formal applications can be completed online: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/pgap/login.php
• You should apply for Applied Health Sciences(PhD) to ensure your application is passed to the correct team.
• Please clearly note the name of the supervisor and the project title on the application form. If this is not included, your application may not be considered for the project.
• Candidates should have (or expect to achieve) a minimum of a 2:1 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) at undergraduate level.
• Your application must include: a personal statement, an up-to-date copy of your academic CV, and clear copies of your educational certificates and transcripts.
• If you are still undertaking your undergraduate degree, it is helpful to the selection panel if you could provide documentation showing your grades to date (this can be a screenshot from an online portal).
• Please note: Project supervisors will not respond to requests for funding assistance.
• If you require any additional assistance in submitting your application or have any queries about the application process, please don’t hesitate to contact us at pgrs-admissions@abdn.ac.uk