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  What does it feel like to live with Posterior Cortical Atrophy dementia?


   Faculty of Health Studies

  , ,  Applications accepted all year round  Self-Funded PhD Students Only

About the Project

There are an estimated 944,000 people with dementia in the United Kingdom (UK)1 and 5% of these cases are of young onset dementias2. Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) is considered a young-onset form of Alzheimer’s Disease, with symptoms often beginning in the late 50s and early 60s. Contrary to typical Alzheimer’s Disease, memory is relatively well preserved for some time, and the initial symptoms tend to be related to problems with vision3.  Increasing numbers of people are being diagnosed with PCA, but its prevalence is still unknown largely due to the poor general awareness of the condition, along with the heterogeneity of pathological causes4. Some studies suggest however that up to 13% of people with Alzheimer's disease may have PCA4. Compared to other dementias, PCA is under-researched. There is limited research focusing on the everyday impact for individuals of living with the diagnosis, and no studies were found that provide an in-depth qualitative exploration of the lived experience of people with PCA. This project will do this.

The student will first review relevant literature. Then an in-depth ethnographic study with up to 5 people living with PCA in the community will be conducted. The student will spend time with each person, taking part in their everyday life. Multiple data collection methods will be used, including observations, video-recordings, and walking interviews. Data will comprise conversations, ‘thick’ descriptions and transcribed interviews which will be analysed using thematic and conversational analysis. Using the stories and audio-visual material obtained, the student will conduct workshops with participants to co-design an e-booklet on living with PCA and develop and implement a strategy on how to distribute it.

Aims

  1. To understand how people living with PCA in the community experience the condition, and its impact on them; and
  2. To co-produce an e-booklet to raise public awareness of the condition and inform the development of appropriate support.

Eligibility Criteria

We are looking for applicants with a good Bachelors degree (2:1 or above) and/or a Masters degree in social or health sciences, who can demonstrate some knowledge of qualitative methods. Some experience of working - in a paid or voluntary capacity - with people with dementia is desirable. 

How to apply

Formal applications can be made through the University of Bradford web site. Applicants should register an account, and choose 'Full-time PhD in Dementia' as the course.

About the University of Bradford

Bradford is a research-active University supporting the highest-quality research. We excel in applying our research to benefit our stakeholders by working with employers and organisations world-wide across the private, public, voluntary and community sectors and actively encourage and support our postgraduate researchers to engage in research and business development activities.

Positive Action Statement

At the University of Bradford our vision is a world of inclusion and equality of opportunity, where people want to, and can, make a difference. We place equality and diversity, inclusion, and a commitment to social mobility at the centre of our mission and ethos. In working to make a difference we are committed to addressing systemic inequality and disadvantages experienced by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and students.

Under sections 158-159 of the Equality Act 2010, positive action can be taken where protected group members are under-represented. At Bradford, our data show that people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic groups who are UK nationals are significantly under-represented at the postgraduate researcher level. 

These are lawful measures designed to address systemic and structural issues which result in the under-representation of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic students in PGR studies.

Biological Sciences (4) Nursing & Health (27) Psychology (31)

Funding Notes

This is a self-funded PhD project; applicants will be expected to pay their own fees or have a suitable source of third-party funding. UK students may be able to apply for a Doctoral Loan from Student Finance for financial support.


References

1. Luengo-Fernandez, R. Landeiro, F. (in preparation). The Economic Burden of Dementia in the UK. Alzheimer’s Research UK. https://www.dementiastatistics.org/statistics/numbers-of-people-in-the-uk-2/
2. Alzheimer’s Society. What is young-onset dementia? [Fact sheet]. (2015) https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/download_info. php?fileID=1766201
3. Crutch SJ, Schott JM, Rabinovici GD, et al. (2017) Consensus classification of posterior cortical atrophy. Alzheimers Dementia;13:870–84
4. Crutch SJ, Lehmann M, Schott JM, Rabinovici GD, Rossor MN, Fox NC (2012) Posterior cortical atrophy. Lancet Neurology; 11:170-178

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