OBM Geriatrics is an Open Access journal published quarterly online by LIDSEN Publishing Inc. The journal takes the premise that innovative approaches – including gene therapy, cell therapy, and epigenetic modulation – will result in clinical interventions that alter the fundamental pathology and the clinical course of age-related human diseases. We will give strong preference to papers that emphasize an alteration (or a potential alteration) in the fundamental disease course of Alzheimer’s disease, vascular aging diseases, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, skin aging, immune senescence, and other age-related diseases.

Geriatric medicine is now entering a unique point in history, where the focus will no longer be on palliative, ameliorative, or social aspects of care for age-related disease, but will be capable of stopping, preventing, and reversing major disease constellations that have heretofore been entirely resistant to interventions based on “small molecular” pharmacological approaches. With the changing emphasis from genetic to epigenetic understandings of pathology (including telomere biology), with the use of gene delivery systems (including viral delivery systems), and with the use of cell-based therapies (including stem cell therapies), a fatalistic view of age-related disease is no longer a reasonable clinical default nor an appropriate clinical research paradigm.

Precedence will be given to papers describing fundamental interventions, including interventions that affect cell senescence, patterns of gene expression, telomere biology, stem cell biology, and other innovative, 21st century interventions, especially if the focus is on clinical applications, ongoing clinical trials, or animal trials preparatory to phase 1 human clinical trials.

Papers must be clear and concise, but detailed data is strongly encouraged. The journal publishes a variety of article types (Original Research, Review, Communication, Opinion, Comment, Conference Report, Technical Note, Book Review, etc.). There is no restriction on the length of the papers and we encourage scientists to publish their results in as much detail as possible.

Publication Speed (median values for papers published in 2023): Submission to First Decision: 5.7 weeks; Submission to Acceptance: 17.9 weeks; Acceptance to Publication: 7 days (1-2 days of FREE language polishing included)

Current Issue: 2020  Archive: 2019 2018

Topical Collection

Behavioral Symptoms of Dementia

Editor

Ladislav Volicer, MD, PhD

Courtesy Full Professor, School of Aging Studies, College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA
External Professor, 3rd Medical Faculty, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic

Website | E-Mail

Research Interests: Dementia; Alzheimer's disease; Palliative care; Medical ethics; Behavioral symptoms of dementia

Topical Collection Information

Behavioral symptoms in persons with progressive degenerative dementias are often more disabling and more difficult to manage than cognitive impairments. Therefore, there is a need for more information about this topic and the planned special issue will provide it. It is important to differentiate between two main syndromes: agitation and rejection of care. Agitation often happens when the person with dementia is solitary and not interacting with other people. Rejection of care happens during care activities when the person with dementia does not recognize the intent of the care provider and the need for care. If the care provider insists on providing care, the person with dementia defends himself/herself from unwanted attention and may become combative. The person may then be labeled as assaultive or aggressive, while he/she perceives the care provider as an aggressor. The distinction between agitation and rejection of care/aggression is important because different non-pharmacological strategies are needed for managing these behavioral symptoms. Agitation is often caused by boredom and can be prevented by provision of meaningful activities. Aggression is best managed by improved communication and by modification of care strategies. There is disagreement among the experts if aggression should be considered part of agitation. I am sure that the special issue will provide different points of view that will address this controversy.

Publication (7 papers)

2020

Jump to: 2019 2018 

Open Access Review

Problems Associated with the Measurement of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Dementia

Received: 04 December 2019;  Published: 17 February 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2001106

Abstract

Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) affect nearly all persons living with dementia (PLWD) at some point during the course of the disease. Given the absence of a cure or effective pharmacotherapy for dementia, it is particularly important to prevent, measure, track, and manage NPS in dementia care. Unfor [...]
Open Access Review

Behaviors of Persons with Dementia: A Review and New Perspective for Future Research

Received: 30 July 2019;  Published: 07 February 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2001104

Abstract

Through the assessment of previous and current literature on the behaviors experienced by persons with dementia, this review discusses the terminology, conceptual models, measurement techniques, and non-pharmacological interventions employed within behavioral research. Additionally, this review cons [...]

2019

Jump to: 2020 2018 

Open Access Original Research

Effects of Enriched Thematic Multi-Sensory Stimulation on BPSD in A Beach Room: A Pilot Study among Nursing-Home Residents with Dementia

Received: 02 April 2019;  Published: 11 December 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1904092

Abstract

Background: Studies of the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions indicate that sensory stimulation is a promising approach to reduce psychological and behavioural disturbances in people with dementia. A relatively new approach is enriched multi-sensory stimulation. Enriched multi-sensory stimu [...]
Open Access Review

Management of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Dementia: A Comprehensive Review of the Current Literature

Received: 14 May 2019;  Published: 16 September 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903074

Abstract

Purpose of Review: Dementia is a progressive and debilitating condition that affects millions of patients in the United States with an enormous impact on healthcare costs, caregivers, and society. Patients with dementia often experience dementia-related neuropsychiatric disturbances, commonly known [...]
Open Access Review

Shedding Light on Manic Syndromes and Dementia

Received: 27 March 2019;  Published: 16 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903070

Abstract

Background. Mania in older adults is associated with a high rate of medical and neurological disease. Objective. The goal of this review is to describe the phenomenon of manic episodes in patients suffering from dementia. Methods. Medline and Google Scholar searches were conducted for relevant artic [...]
Open Access Review

Curing Alzheimer’s Disease: Myriad Causes and Myriad Cures Await

Received: 12 June 2019;  Published: 16 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903063

Abstract

Simplifying the cause of Alzheimer’s disease has lulled the public into believing that the search for a cure is within reach. The disease has captured the attention of researchers worldwide, catapulting the disease as the third most funded research interest (after cancer and HIV). But after a centur [...]

2018

Jump to: 2020 2019 

Open Access Editorial

Behavioral Symptoms of Dementia

Received: 04 November 2018;  Published: 08 November 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1804019

Abstract

Behavioral symptoms of dementia
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