Principal Investigators


Muireann Irish

Institution


University of New South Wales

Contact information of lead PI


Country


Australia

Title of project or programme


"Beauty and the brain" - A novel approach to anhedonia in dementia

Source of funding information


Alzheimer's Australia Dementia Research Foundation

Total sum awarded (Euro)


€ 34,196

Start date of award


01/01/2015

Total duration of award in years


1

Keywords


Research Abstract


Try to imagine a world in which you could no longer experience beauty or pleasure in your daily life. Anhedonia refers to a loss of pleasure and has typically been studied in psychiatric disorders. Many of the diagnostic features of frontotemporal dementia, however, suggest the presence of anhedonia, such as social withdrawal, loss of interest in previous hobbies and activities, and apathy. The implications of anhedonia are stark, yet no study to our knowledge has systematically investigated anhedonia in younger-onset dementia. We will measure the experience of pleasure in response to viewing pieces of art and listening to music. Neuroimaging analyses will allow us to determine the association between damage to the brain in dementia and anhedonia. Our study will provide critical data regarding the subjective experience of the individual living with dementia and the utility of music and art to improve overall wellbeing and quality of life.

Further information available at:


https://www.dementiaresearchfoundation.org.au/researchers/muireann-irish-0

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