The aim of this study was to assess the usability of a new Internet-based Caregiver Support Service (ICSS) and evaluate its effects on health outcomes of Chinese Canadians who cared for a family member with dementia. Demographic and questionnaire data were collected from 28 participants, and in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 participants. Results showed that non-users reported higher levels of burden post-intervetion, and frequent users showed post-intervention reduction in experienced burden. Traditional beliefs shaped caregivers’ needs; also, ethno-cultural-linguistic contexts affected system usability and were associated with usage behaviour. This study indicates that caregivers can benefit from receiving professional support via asynchronous e-mails and a dedicated information web site. The ICSS is a feasible approach for supporting caregivers who prefer an alternative service model. This emerging service requires more research in: enhanced technology design, service delivery models for immigrant caregivers, and evaluation of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.

Tianeptine is a new antidepressant that, in animals, has a faciliting effect on both working and reference memory. To investigate the effects of tianeptine on vigilance and memory in humans, a placebo-controlled cross-over study was performed in 20 healthy volunteers. The duration of each treatment period was 7 days and the dosage of tianeptine 37.5 mg per day. The evaluations consisted of 3 computerized tests assessing alert function, continuous recognition and semantic facilitation. A memory questionnaire and the Rey test (15 words) were added. The analysis of variance (cross-over type) performed on the results did not show any significant difference between the evolution of these tests on tianeptine and on placebo in young healthy subjects, at the height of their intellectual capacities. In this study, tianeptine respected the vigilance as well as the performances of the healthy volunteers and did not impair their memory and cognitive processes, which distinguishes it from many psychotropic drugs. Nevertheless, tianeptine did not produce a faciliting effect on these processes in healthy volunteers. These results allow us to propose new clinical trial with tianeptine in order to investigate its effects on older volunters and patients complaining of memory disorders.