English

 Dr. Marianna Tsatali

Netzwerk AlternsfoRschung, Universität Heidelberg

Bergheimer Straße 20
69115 Heidelberg, Germany

Tel: +49 (0)6221 54 8124
mariannatsatali13(at)gmail.com

 

Attitude towards Dementia

Attitudes towards dementia highly affect the way people react with people living with dementia, as well as respond if a family member gets the diagnosis of dementia. Additionally, dementia caregivers’ attitudes about dementia can have a great impact on people living with dementia both in their daily life as well as in the future decisions e.g legal issues, institutionalization etc. Given that dementia research focuses on various ways to provide training material about dementia and effective practices in facilitating caregivers’ daily life, it is of high importance to find a way to measure caregivers’ attitudes towards dementia, to evaluate the efficacy of the programs implemented in this population. Hence, the current research project aims at adapting three psychometric tools – Dementia Knowledge Assessment Tool 2”, "Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale“  and "Knowledge in Dementia Scale –  which measure dementia attitudes, and therefore find which is preferable to measure dementia attitudes in general population as well as caregivers by calculating their psychometric properties. Additionally, various factors which affect dementia attitudes, e.g. demographics, dementia knowledge, profession, will be also evaluated.

Neuropsychological assessment: Early detection in Mild Cognitive Impairment
Early detection of MCI is assumed to be the steppingstone both in dementia progression as well as establishing a structured non pharmacological treatment plan. Therefore, it is of high importance to create, adapt and administer novel neuropsychological tests, which can identify primary deficits in cognition and independent living. For that purpose, we aim at focusing on the research goals placed below:

I) Development of appropriate neuropsychological tests which detect executive dysfunction in MCI
II) Comparing differential MCI subtypes; neurodegenerative, vascular, frontal, and depressive through novel neuropsychological tests
III) Identifying differences concerning cognitive deficits in MCI between Greek and Egyptian older adults
IV) Development of the first neuropsychological battery to detect cognitive deficits in Deaf older adults

Research Interests

• Early detection in MCI
• Emotional dysfunction in people with Parkinson’s disease
• Raising awareness of dementia among Deaf people
• Neuropsychological evaluation in Deaf older adults
• Social cognition in Deaf older adults
• Attitudes towards dementia (informal caregivers, hospital staff, and general population)
• Non pharmacological interventions in older adults with Subjective Cognitive Decline and Mild Cognitive Impairment
• Peer Support Workers in Dementia Care

Current Research Projects

• DE-SIGN - funding by the EU-Programm Erasmus⁺, duration 2022-2025
  Subject: Raising Awareness for Dementia in Deaf Older Adults in Europe
• PIA - funding by the EU-Programm Erasmus⁺, duration 2022-2024
  Subject: Peer Support Workers in Advocacy in Dementia Care

Lecturer in Biopsychology

• Biopsychology
• Laboratory of measuring emotions
• Biopsychology of stress and anxiety disorders                
   

Scholarships

• 2021 Silver Award from the Healthcare Business Awards, on behalf of the Greek Association of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, Thessaloniki, Category 7.1 Supportive activities / Education, Telehealth and Distance Dementia Care in Greek Alzheimer Association (https://www.healthcareawards.gr/award-categories/)
• 2013 South East European Research Centre, Research Committee, PhD Scholarship

Selected Publications

2023

• Tsolaki, M., Makri, M., Tsatali, M., & Teichmann, Β. (2023). European Projects for Patients with Dementia and Their Caregivers. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 1425, 609–618. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-31986-0_59
• Tsatali, M., Angelidou, I. A., Tsolaki, M., & Teichmann, B. (2023). The Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale, the Knowledge in Dementia Scale, and the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Tool 2: Which Is the Best Tool to Measure Dementia Knowledge in Greece? Journal of Alzheimer's Disease Reports, 7(1), 1377–1393. https://doi.org/10.3233/ADR-230161

2022

• Poptsi, Ε., Moraitou, D., Tsatali, M., Papaliagkas, P., Tzanakaki-Melissari, M., Kyriakoulaki, E., Kounti, F., Markou, N., Liapi, D., Batsila, G, Ouzouni, F., Vasiloglou, M., Tsolaki, M. (2022). Examining voting capacity in older adults of different cognitive status via the utilization of the Competence Assessment Tool for Voting (CAT-V) and the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Brain Sciences, 12(12), 1614. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12121614
• Tsatali, M., Egkiazarova, M., Toumpalidou, M., Karagiozi, K., Margaritidou, P., & Tsolaki, M. (2022). Greek adaptation of the positive aspects of caregiving (PAC) scale in dementia caregivers. Clinical Gerontologist, 45(3), 538-547. https://doi.org/10.1080/07317115.2019.1685047
• Nikolaidou, E., Tsatali, M., Eleftheriou, M., Wang, H., Karagiozi, K., Margaritidou, P., & Tsolaki, M. (2022). Emotional Function, Negative Thoughts about the Pandemic, and Adaptability Skills among Dementia Caregivers during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Brain Sciences, 12(4), 459. DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12040459
• Anestis, D. M., Tsitsopoulos, P. P., Foroglou, N. G., Tsatali, M. S., Marinos, K., Theologou, M., & Tsonidis, C. A. (2022). Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Greek version of the “full outline of unresponsiveness score”: a prospective observational clinimetric study in neurosurgical patients. Neurocritical care, 36(2), 584-594. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12028-021-01342-w
• Tsatali, M., Avdikou, K., Gialaouzidis, M., Minopoulou, D., Emmanouel, A., Kouroundi, E., & Tsolaki, M. (2022). The discriminant validity of Rey Complex Figure Test (RCFT) in subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment (multiple domain) and Alzheimer’s disease dementia (ADD; mild stage) in Greek older adults. Applied Neuropsychology: Adult, https://doi.org/10.1080/23279095.2022.2037089
• Tawfik, H. M., Tsatali, M., & Hassanin, H. I. (2022). Pilot feasibility study of cognitive training exercises for Egyptian adults: Proof of concept. International journal of geriatric psychiatry, 37(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.5624

2021

• Karagiozi, K., Margaritidou, P., Tsatali, M., Makri, M., Apostolidis, H., Dimitriou, T., Tsiatsios, T., & Tsolaki, M. (2021). Comparison of on site versus online psycho education groups and reducing caregiver burden. Clinical Gerontologist, 45(5), 1330-1340. https://doi.org/10.1080/07317115.2021.1940409
• Tsatali, M., Moraitou, D., Poptsi, E., Sia, E., Agogiatou, C., Gialaouzidis, M., …. & Tsolaki, M. (2021). Are there any cognitive and behavioral changes potentially related to quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment and AD Dementia? A longitudinal study. Brain Sci, 11(9), 1165; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11091165
• Aristotelidou, V., Tsatali, M., Overton, P.G., Vivas, A.B. (2021). Autonomic factors do not underlie the elevated self-disgust levels in Parkinson’s disease. PLoS ONE, 16(9): e0256144. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256144
• Tsolaki, M., Tsatali, M., Gkioka, M., Poptsi, E., Tsolaki, A., Papaliagkas, V., Tabakis, I-M., Lazarou, I., Makri, M., Kazis, D., Papagiannopoulos, S., Kiryttopoulos, A., Koutsouraki, E. & Tegos, T. (2021). Memory Clinics and Day Care Centers in Thessaloniki, Northern Greece: 30 Years of Clinical Practice and Experience. Front. Neurol., 12, 683131. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2021.683131
• Tsatali, M., Moraitou, D., Papantoniou, G., Foutsitzi, E., Bonti, E., Kougioumtzis, G., ... & Tsolaki, M. (2021). Measuring Impulsivity in Greek Adults: Psychometric Properties of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) and Impulsive Behavior Scale (Short Version of UPPS-P). Brain Sciences, 11(8), 1007.  https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11081007
• Tsatali, M., Poptsi, E., Moraitou, D., Agogiatou, C., Bakoglidou, E., Gialaouzidis, M., ... & Tsolaki, M. (2021). Discriminant Validity of the WAIS-R Digit Symbol Substitution Test in Subjective Cognitive Decline, Mild Cognitive Impairment (Amnestic Subtype) and Alzheimer's Disease Dementia (ADD) in Greece. Brain sciences, 11(7), 881. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11070881
• Makri, M., Sourgouni, E., Tsatali, M., & Tsolaki, M. (2021). Feelings Experienced by Informal Caregivers of Patients with Dementia, from the Moment of Diagnosis Until the Beginning of Psychotherapy. Journal of Family Medicine, 8(3), 1248.
• Poptsi, Ε., Tsatali, M., Agogiatou, C., Bakoglidou, E., Batsila, G., Dellaporta, D., Kounti, K., Liapi, D., Lysitsas, K., Markou, N., Mouzakidis, C., Ouzouni, F., Papasozomenou, C., Soumpourou, A., Vasiloglou, M., Zafeiropoulos, S., & Tsolaki, M. (2021). Longitudinal cognitive and physical training effectiveness in MCI, based on the experience of the Alzheimer’s Hellas Day Care Centre. Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology, https://doi.org/10.1177/08919887211016057
• Hassanin, H., Tawfik, H., Zygouris, S., Tsatali, M., Sweed, H., & Tsolaki, M. (2021). Setting Up a Cognitive Training Service for Egyptian Older Adults. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 1-10. DOI: 10.3233/JAD-201278

2020

• Tsatali, M., Emmanouel, A., Gialaouzidis, M., Avdikou, K., Stefanatos, C., Diamantidou, A., ... & Tsolaki, M. (2020). Rey Complex Figure Test (RCFT): Norms for the Greek older adult population. Applied Neuropsychology: Adult, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1080/23279095.2020.1829624
• Pavlidis, G., Downs, C., Kalinowski, T. B., Swiatek‐Barylska, I., Lazuras, L., Ypsilanti, A., & Tsatali, M. (2020). A survey on the training needs of caregivers in five European countries. Journal of nursing management, 28(2), 385-398. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.12940

2019

• Amaniti, A., Papakonstantinou, P., Gkinas, D., Dalakakis, I., Papapostolou, E., Nikopoulou, A., Tsatali, M., Zarogoulidis, P., Sapalidis, K., Kosmidis, C., Koulouris, C., Giannakidis, D., Romanidis, K., Oikonomou, P., Michalopoulos, N., Ioannidis, A., Tsakiridis, K., Vagionas, A., Kesisoglou, I., & Grosomanidis, V. (2019). Comparison of laryngoscopic views between C-2 MAC™ and conventional laryngoscopy in patients 3 with multiple preoperative prognostic criteria of 4 difficult intubation. An observational cross-sectional 5 study. Medicina, 55(12), 760-771. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina55120760
• Tsatali, M., Overton, P. G., & Vivas, A. B. (2019). Self-reported and experimentally induced self-disgust is heightened in Parkinson’s disease: Contribution of behavioural symptoms. PloS one, 14(10), e0223663. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0223663
• Tsatali, M., Fotiadou, F., Giaglis, G., & Tsolaki, M. (2019). The repeatable battery for the assessment of the neuropsychological status (RBANS): a diagnostic validity study in Greek elderly. Aging clinical and experimental research, 31(9), 1305-1312. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-018-1076-9
• Avdikou, K., Stefanatos C., Tsatali, M., Gouva, M., & Tsolaki, M. (2019). The role of gender in shame, hostility, and Aggression experienced by caregivers for patients with dementia. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias, 34(4), 231–235. DOI: 10.1177/1533317518802458
• Tsatali, M., Sidiropoulos, S., & Bamidis, P. (2019). Effective Neurofeedback applications in anxiety and attention symptomatology in adolescents. L'Encéphale, 45, S80.

Membership

• Representative of the Panhellenic Federation of Alzheimer’s Disease and Relative Disorders at the Alzheimer Europe Organization since 2010
• Member of the American Psychological Association (APA Psych Net)
• Member of the International Association of Cyber Psychology, Training and Rehabilitation
• Member of FENS (Federation of European Neuroscience Societies)
• Representative of Dementia Friends program, delivered by the Alzheimer Society of the UK, in Greece (until April 2020)
• Greek Association of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders
• International Co-Founder and Co-Partner of the Ain Shams University Geriatric Hospital, Cairo, Egypt.
• Global Finding Alzheimer’s Solutions Together (FAST) Council, organized and funded by Roche

Vita

2023 (in progress)		Postdoctoral Research Associate, University Hospital Heidelberg
2023 (in progress)		Research Associate, Department of Experimental and Cognitive Psychology, Aristotle University, Greece
05/2018		PhD, Psychology Department, University of Sheffield, UK
05/2016		EEG Neurofeedback Certification from the Biofeedback Certification Institute of America (BCIA)-Institute for EEG-Neurofeedback (IFEN)
01/2013		Advanced Diploma in Cognitive Rehabilitation, Brain Tree Rehabilitation Center, Surrey, UK
10/2010		MSc, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Greece
03/2007		Psychology (Diploma), Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece