Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) is the second most common form of dementia. However, there is a serious lack of awareness of this condition in the Irish population. Unlike Alzheimer’s Dementia, LBD affects movement, cognition, mood, and sleep and is often accompanied by psychiatric symptoms. Therefore, it is usually referred to as the “Chameleon of Dementias” making the diagnosis, treatment and care for LBD that much more challenging. The main objective of the event proposed here is to raise awareness about LBD in Ireland by hosting an “Open Day” in Trinity College Dublin. The event will follow a “science fair” model of publicly exhibiting the research, lived experience and management of LBD. The event will be organised by a team recently funded by the HRB on an Applied Research Program titled “EMERALD-Lewy” (EMERALD) which is designed to build capacity for the research, treatment and care of LBD. The event will consist of (i) “stalls” hosted by EMERALD’s team, (ii) creative engagement spaces curated by its artistic partners and (iii) parallelly scheduled talks. To organise this event, EMERALD will partner with its internal network in Trinity College including the Office of Dean of Research, PPI Ignite Network, Civic Engagement and Social Innovation Office and the Global Brain Health Institute, its external collaborators such as Lewy Body Ireland, The Abbey Theatre, Outlandish Theatre, Dance Ireland, Parkinson’s Ireland, National Dementia Office, Health Service Executive; knowledge users in University College Cork, Queens University Belfast, University College Dublin and hospitals including St. James’ Hospital, Tallaght University Hospital, Mater Hospital, Beaumont Hospital, St. Vincent’s Hospital and Cork University Hospital. EMERALD and Trinity will be in alignment with HRB’s mission to promote evidence-informed care and create solutions to societal challenges by hosting this first of its kind event in Ireland.
