Beyond the Pill: Methodology in Dementia Clinical Trials

In this episode of the Dementia Researcher podcast we look at how dementia clinical trials reach far beyond medicines. Host Dr Annalise Rahman Filipiak speaks with Dr Elizabeth Rhodus, Dr Inga Antonsdottir, and Dr Elisa França Resende about entering the field, working with behavioural and community based interventions, and learning the skills needed to deliver rigorous, reproducible studies that still respect the individual needs of participants. The guests discuss their routes into trials, what surprised them, what they wish they had known earlier, and how mentorship and collaboration shaped their progress. They touch on trial design, regulatory processes, cultural considerations, and the value of early career networks that support researchers across different countries. -- Topics covered 🔹What early career researchers find challenging about trial methods 🔹Working in homes and communities 🔹Designing sensory and environmental interventions 🔹Literacy based trials in Brazil and issues of inclusion 🔹Mentorship, networks and training programmes 🔹Trial rigour, manuals, assessments and reproducibility 🔹Regulatory hurdles and timeframes 🔹Practical advice for researchers wanting to deliver a trial as part of their research -- Find more information on our guests, and a full transcript of this podcast on our website at: https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/podcast -- Follow us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/ https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/ https://www.twitter.com/demrescommunity https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher https://www.bsky.app/profile/dementiare…archer.bsky.social -- Download and Register with our Community App: https://www.onelink.to/dementiaresearcher -- Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dementia Research and Clinical Trials 05:01 Early Career Researchers in Clinical Trials 11:31 The Role of Mentorship in Research 18:46 Innovative Interventions Beyond Pharmacology 25:41 Community Engagement and Methodological Considerations 33:32 Overcoming Barriers in Clinical Trials 38:22 Advice for Aspiring Clinical Trialists 41:00 Whimsical Research Questions and Closing Thoughts #dementiaresearch #methodology #dementia #ClinicalTrials @alzassociation #ISTAART