Bridging the divide between biomedical and psychosocial approaches in dementia research: the 2019 INTERDEM manifesto

Abstract

Objective: To provide a new perspective on integrated biomedical and psychosocial dementia research.

Background: Dementia is being recognized as a multifactorial syndrome, but there is little interaction between biomedical and psychosocial approaches. A way to improve scientific knowledge is to seek better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the interaction between biomedical and psychosocial paradigms. One rationale for integrating biomedical and psychosocial research is the discordance between neuropathology and cognitive functioning. The concept of social health might bridge the two paradigms. It relates to how social resources influence the dynamic balance between capacities and limitations.

Hypotheses: Social health can act as the driver for accessing cognitive reserve, in people with dementia through active facilitation and utilization of social and environmental resources. Thereby we link lifestyle social and opportunities to the brain reserve hypothesis.

Manifesto: We provide a Manifesto on how to significantly move forward the dementia research agenda.

Keywords: Dementia and cognitive disorders; cognitive functioning; psychological and social aspects; psychosocial interventions; social support.