Māori and Pacific peoples with dementia presented to an NZ memory service at a younger age than NZ Europeans, and Pacific peoples presented with more advanced dementia. A population-based epidemiological study is critical to determine whether Māori and Pacific peoples have indeed a higher risk of developing dementia at a younger age.

Depressed elderly Australian inpatients are less religious than their North American counterparts. Nevertheless, religion remains important for a large minority of such individuals. Clinicians need to be aware that such individuals may turn to religion when depressed, especially to cope with the presence of physical disability.

Confabulation can be of two types: provoked or spontaneous. The former is the more common and can occur on challenge to an amnesic patient's memory. Spontaneous confabulation involves an unprovoked outpouring of unbelievable autobiographical claims. The purpose of the present paper is to synthesize the current literature on confabulation for the use of treating clinicians. There is a focus on the spontaneous form, which is less common, but more memorable when encountered. In this paper the history, phenomenology, incidence, anatomical underpinnings and theoretical mechanisms of spontaneous confabulations will be reviewed, and then the paper will conclude by addressing prognostic and treatment issues. A systematic literature review of electronic databases was conducted to identify the key articles, reviews and books that have shaped the understanding of spontaneous confabulation.

Background: Religion has been found to be important in the lives of many elderly people, but it has been claimed that psychiatrists 'neglect' the religious issues of their patients. This study examines the question: Do psychogeriatricians 'neglect' religion in the assessment and treatment of their patients? Method: A sample of 207 psychiatrists with an interest in psychogeriatrics was surveyed using a 14-item questionnaire. Items addressed attitudes and behaviors of psychiatrists towards religion in relation to their clinical practice. Results: Of the 143 (69%) who responded, 43% have no religious affiliation and only 25% participate at least monthly in organized religion. Nevertheless, 85% think that there are links between religion and mental health, and only one respondent stated that psychiatrists should never concern themselves with the religious issues of their patients. A total of %YO, however, had never referred a patient to a pastoral counselor.Training in religious issues is lacking. Condusions: Psychogeriatricians thmk that religion is relevant in the assessment and treatment of elderly patients. In view of the lack of training in religious issues, revisions to the psychiatric training curriculum would be appropriate. This would promote dialogue between psychiatrists and religious caregivers.