Delirium and Dementia: Clearing the Fog of Misunderstanding
Dementia Researcher Vodcast
07/04/25
•46m
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In this episode of the Dementia Researcher Podcast, Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali is joined by Dr Ahmad Khundakar from Teesside University, Anna Wilson from South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Professor Mani Santhana Krishnan from Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust to explore the complex and often misunderstood relationship between delirium and dementia.
The discussion unpacks why these two conditions are so frequently confused, how this confusion can lead to misdiagnosis and harm, and why recognising the difference matters deeply, particularly in hospital and care environments. Professor Krishnan shares clinical insights on how delirium manifests and why it is often underdiagnosed, especially in older adults and people with pre-existing cognitive conditions. Anna Wilson highlights how screening tools like the 4AT are helping clinicians respond more effectively, while also emphasising the importance of person-centred care. Dr Khundakar brings both scientific expertise and a deeply personal perspective, sharing how his own family experience of delirium shaped his research and understanding of care needs.
Together, they discuss different forms of delirium, such as hypoactive and hyperactive types, and explore the importance of recognising sudden changes in behaviour. The episode also addresses wider system issues — from gaps in professional training to the need for improved support for families and carers. With an emphasis on prevention, non-drug interventions, and modifiable risk factors, this is an essential conversation for anyone working in dementia research, healthcare, or policy, as well as for families who want to better understand and advocate for their loved ones.
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A transcript of this show, links and show notes and profile on all our guests are available on our website at https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk.
If you prefer to watch rather than listen, you will find a video version of this podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and on our website.
Leave us a tip:
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We gratefully acknowledge the support of our funders: Alzheimer’s Association, Race Against Dementia, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
The views and opinions expressed by guests in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the producers, funders, or sponsors.
Subscribe to our sister show 'Dementia Researcher The Blogs':
Previous Episode
In this final episode of the current series, Trevor Salomon is joined by Dr Pippa Collins from the University of Southampton to interview Dr Sarah Kate Smith.
Sarah is based at The University of Manchester and NIHR ARC Greater Manchester, and is an NIHR and Alzheimer’s Society Demm Comm Fellow. Her work focuses on brain health and dementia prevention, particularly examining how physical activity in midlife could reduce the risk of developing dementia later in life. With a background in psychology and a PhD in health services research, Sarah brings expertise in creative and inclusive research methodologies that enable the involvement of people living with dementia and their families.
In this conversation, we explore the challenges of dementia prevention research, how risk reduction differs from the idea of outright prevention, and the importance of public and patient involvement in designing ethical and accessible interventions. Sarah also shares insight into an upcoming project exploring access to brain health clinics among minority ethnic groups and reflects on her career journey, motivations, and what keeps her going.
Dem Comm is a 2 year programme funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research and the Alzheimer's Society. It supports a new generation of dementia research leaders, bringing together researchers from different multidisciplinary backgrounds to encourage cross-cutting and community-orientated dementia research projects that can address key gaps in the evidence around dementia care and support, delivering transformative translational research.
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A transcript of this show, links and show notes and profile on all our guests are available on our website at https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk.
If you prefer to watch rather than listen, you will find a video version of this podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and on our website.
Leave us a tip:
https://dementia-researcher.captivate.fm/support
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://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social
Download and Register with our Community App:
https://www.onelink.to/dementiaresearcher
We gratefully acknowledge the support of our funders: Alzheimer’s Association, Race Against Dementia, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
The views and opinions expressed by guests in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the producers, funders, or sponsors.
Subscribe to our sister show 'Dementia Researcher The Blogs':
Next Episode
RELAY Podcast - Atypical Alzheimer's Disease PIA
July 12, 2025
•38m
Welcome to the sixth season of the Dementia Researcher X ISTAART PIA Relay Podcast. This series features interviews with ISTAART PIA committee members talking about their research, the research landscape of their fields, and the work of the ISTAART Professional Interest Areas (PIA) they represent. As we build up to the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Toronto, join us for daily episodes that showcase the remarkable work being done in various research fields.
In this episode, Dr Alexa Pichet-Binette interviews Dr Colin Groot, an expert in neuroimaging and atypical Alzheimer's disease from Amsterdam University Medical Centre. They discuss the clinical and biological diversity within atypical variants such as posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), language and behavioural forms, and CBSAD. Colin shares insights into ongoing studies on tau PET, mortality, subtyping PCA, and how ISTAART’s Atypical PIA is pushing forward international collaboration and inclusivity in clinical trials and diagnostic criteria.
The Alzheimer’s Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment (ISTAART) convenes the global Alzheimer’s and dementia science community. Members share knowledge, fuel collaboration and advance research to find more effective ways to detect, treat and prevent Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Professional Interest Areas (PIA) are an assembly of ISTAART members with common subspecialties or interests.
There are currently 30 PIAs covering a wide range of interests and fields, from the PIA to Elevate Early Career Researchers to Biofluid Based Biomarkers and everything in between.
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A transcript of this show, links and show notes and profile on all our guests are available on our website at https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk.
If you prefer to watch rather than listen, you will find a video version of this podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and on our website.
Leave us a tip:
https://dementia-researcher.captivate.fm/support
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://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social
Download and Register with our Community App:
https://www.onelink.to/dementiaresearcher
We gratefully acknowledge the support of our funders: Alzheimer’s Association, Race Against Dementia, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
The views and opinions expressed by guests in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the producers, funders, or sponsors.
Subscribe to our sister show 'Dementia Researcher The Blogs':
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