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Rubenstein E, Tewolde S, Levine AA, Droscha L, Meyer RM, Michals A, Skotko B. Medicare, Medicaid, and dual enrollment for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Health Serv Res 2024; 59:e14287. [PMID: 38264862 PMCID: PMC11063084 DOI: 10.1111/1475-6773.14287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Given high rates of un- and underemployment among disabled people, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities rely on Medicaid, Medicare, or both to pay for healthcare. Many disabled adults are Medicare eligible before the age of 65 but little is known as to why some receive Medicare services while others do not. We described the duration of Medicare enrollment for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in 2019 and then compared demographics by enrollment type (Medicare-only, Medicaid-only, dual-enrolled). Additionally, we examined the percent in each enrollment type by state, and differences in enrollment type for those with Down syndrome. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SETTING 2019 Medicare and Medicaid claims data for all adults (≥18 years) in the US with claim codes for intellectual disability, Down syndrome, or autism at any time between 2011 and 2019. STUDY DESIGN Administrative claims cohort. DATA COLLECTION AND ABSTRACTION METHODS Data were from the Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information System Analytic Files and Medicare Beneficiary Summary files. PRINCIPLE FINDINGS In 2019, Medicare insured 582,868 adults with identified intellectual disability, autism, or Down syndrome. Of 582,868 Medicare beneficiaries, 149,172 were Medicare only and 433,396 were dual-enrolled. Most Medicare enrollees were enrolled as child dependents (61.5%) Medicaid-only enrollees (N = 819,256) were less likely to be white non-Hispanic (58.5% white non-Hispanic vs. 72.9% white non-Hispanic in dual-enrolled), more likely to be Hispanic (19.6% Hispanic vs. 9.2% Hispanic in dual-enrolled) and were younger (mean 34.2 years vs. 50.5 years dual-enrolled). CONCLUSION There is heterogeneity in public insurance enrollment which is associated with state and disability type. Action is needed to ensure all are insured in the program that works for their healthcare needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Rubenstein
- Department of EpidemiologyBoston University School of Public HealthBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Salina Tewolde
- Department of EpidemiologyBoston University School of Public HealthBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - A. Alex Levine
- Department of Health Policy Law and ManagementBoston University School of Public HealthBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Lillian Droscha
- Department of EpidemiologyBoston University School of Public HealthBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Rachel Midori Meyer
- Department of EpidemiologyBoston University School of Public HealthBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Amy Michals
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology Data Analytics CenterBoston University School of Public HealthBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Brian Skotko
- Massachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
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2
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Martinez-Feduchi P, Jin P, Yao B. Epigenetic modifications of DNA and RNA in Alzheimer's disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1398026. [PMID: 38726308 PMCID: PMC11079283 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1398026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder and the most common form of dementia. There are two main types of AD: familial and sporadic. Familial AD is linked to mutations in amyloid precursor protein (APP), presenilin-1 (PSEN1), and presenilin-2 (PSEN2). On the other hand, sporadic AD is the more common form of the disease and has genetic, epigenetic, and environmental components that influence disease onset and progression. Investigating the epigenetic mechanisms associated with AD is essential for increasing understanding of pathology and identifying biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment. Chemical covalent modifications on DNA and RNA can epigenetically regulate gene expression at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels and play protective or pathological roles in AD and other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bing Yao
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Ahmed T. Lipid nanoparticle mediated small interfering RNA delivery as a potential therapy for Alzheimer's disease. Eur J Neurosci 2024. [PMID: 38622050 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative condition that exhibits a gradual decline in cognitive function and is prevalent among a significant number of individuals globally. The use of small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules in RNA interference (RNAi) presents a promising therapeutic strategy for AD. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have been developed as a delivery vehicle for siRNA, which can selectively suppress target genes, by enhancing cellular uptake and safeguarding siRNA from degradation. Numerous research studies have exhibited the effectiveness of LNP-mediated siRNA delivery in reducing amyloid beta (Aβ) levels and enhancing cognitive function in animal models of AD. The feasibility of employing LNP-mediated siRNA delivery as a therapeutic approach for AD is emphasized by the encouraging outcomes reported in clinical studies for other medical conditions. The use of LNP-mediated siRNA delivery has emerged as a promising strategy to slow down or even reverse the progression of AD by targeting the synthesis of tau phosphorylation and other genes linked to the condition. Improvement of the delivery mechanism and determination of the most suitable siRNA targets are crucial for the efficacious management of AD. This review focuses on the delivery of siRNA through LNPs as a promising therapeutic strategy for AD, based on the available literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanvir Ahmed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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4
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Jönsson L, Ivkovic M, Atri A, Handels R, Gustavsson A, Hahn-Pedersen JH, León T, Lilja M, Gundgaard J, Raket LL. Progression analysis versus traditional methods to quantify slowing of disease progression in Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Res Ther 2024; 16:48. [PMID: 38424559 PMCID: PMC10903002 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-024-01413-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The clinical meaningfulness of the effects of recently approved disease-modifying treatments (DMT) in Alzheimer's disease is under debate. Available evidence is limited to short-term effects on clinical rating scales which may be difficult to interpret and have limited intrinsic meaning to patients. The main value of DMTs accrues over the long term as they are expected to cause a delay or slowing of disease progression. While awaiting such evidence, the translation of short-term effects to time delays or slowing of progression could offer a powerful and readily interpretable representation of clinical outcomes. METHODS We simulated disease progression trajectories representing two arms, active and placebo, of a hypothetical clinical trial of a DMT. The placebo arm was simulated based on estimated mean trajectories of clinical dementia rating scale-sum of boxes (CDR-SB) recordings from amyloid-positive subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) from Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). The active arm was simulated to show an average slowing of disease progression versus placebo of 20% at each visit. The treatment effects in the simulated trials were estimated with a progression model for repeated measures (PMRM) and a mixed model for repeated measures (MMRM) for comparison. For PMRM, the treatment effect is expressed in units of time (e.g., days) and for MMRM in units of the outcome (e.g., CDR-SB points). PMRM results were implemented in a health economics Markov model extrapolating disease progression and death over 15 years. RESULTS The PMRM model estimated a 19% delay in disease progression at 18 months and 20% (~ 7 months delay) at 36 months, while the MMRM model estimated a 25% reduction in CDR-SB (~ 0.5 points) at 36 months. The PMRM model had slightly greater power compared to MMRM. The health economic model based on the estimated time delay suggested an increase in life expectancy (10 months) without extending time in severe stages of disease. CONCLUSION PMRM methods can be used to estimate treatment effects in terms of slowing of progression which translates to time metrics that can be readily interpreted and appreciated as meaningful outcomes for patients, care partners, and health care practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linus Jönsson
- Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, 171 64, Sweden.
| | | | - Alireza Atri
- Banner Sun Health Research Institute and Banner Alzheimer's Institute, Banner Health, Sun City and Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Center for Brain/Mind Medicine, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ron Handels
- Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, 171 64, Sweden
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Alzheimer Centre Limburg, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, MD, 6200, The Netherlands
| | - Anders Gustavsson
- Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, 171 64, Sweden
- Quantify Research, Hantverkargatan 8, Stockholm, 112 21, Sweden
| | | | | | - Mathias Lilja
- Quantify Research, Hantverkargatan 8, Stockholm, 112 21, Sweden
| | | | - Lars Lau Raket
- Novo Nordisk A/S, Søborg, Denmark
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Aggarwal G, Morley JE, Vellas B, Nguyen AD, Butler AA. Low circulating adropin concentrations predict increased risk of cognitive decline in community-dwelling older adults. GeroScience 2024; 46:897-911. [PMID: 37233882 PMCID: PMC10828274 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-023-00824-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The secreted peptide adropin is highly expressed in human brain tissues and correlates with RNA and proteomic risk indicators for dementia. Here we report that plasma adropin concentrations predict risk for cognitive decline in the Multidomain Alzheimer Preventive Trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier, NCT00672685; mean age 75.8y, SD = 4.5 years, 60.2% female, n = 452). Cognitive ability was evaluated using a composite cognitive score (CCS) that assessed four domains: memory, language, executive function, and orientation. Relationships between plasma adropin concentrations and changes in CCS (∆CCS) were examined using Cox Proportional Hazards Regression, or by grouping into tertiles ranked low to high by adropin values and controlling for age, time between baseline and final visits, baseline CCS, and other risk factors (e.g., education, medication, APOE4 status). Risk of cognitive decline (defined as a ∆CCS of - 0.3 or more) decreased with increasing plasma adropin concentrations (hazard ratio = 0.873, 95% CI 0.780-0.977, P = 0.018). Between adropin tertiles, ∆CCS was significantly different (P = 0.01; estimated marginal mean ± SE for the 1st to 3rd tertile, - 0.317 ± 0.064; - 0.275 ± 0.063; - 0.042 ± 0.071; n = 133,146, and 130, respectively; P < 0.05 for 1st vs. 2nd and 3rd adropin tertiles). Normalized plasma Aß42/40 ratio and plasma neurofilament light chain, indicators of neurodegeneration, were significantly different between adropin tertile. These differences were consistent with reduced risk of cognitive decline with higher plasma adropin levels. Overall, these results suggest cognitive decline is reduced in community-dwelling older adults with higher circulating adropin levels. Further studies are needed to determine the underlying causes of the relationship and whether increasing adropin levels can delay cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geetika Aggarwal
- Henry and Amelia Nasrallah Center for Neuroscience, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - John E Morley
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Bruno Vellas
- Gérontopôle de Toulouse, Institut du Vieillissement, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Toulouse, 37 Allées Jules Guesdes, 31000, Toulouse, France
| | - Andrew D Nguyen
- Henry and Amelia Nasrallah Center for Neuroscience, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Andrew A Butler
- Henry and Amelia Nasrallah Center for Neuroscience, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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Zhao Z, Liu Y, Ruan S, Hu Y. Current Anti-Amyloid-β Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease Treatment: From Clinical Research to Nanomedicine. Int J Nanomedicine 2023; 18:7825-7845. [PMID: 38144511 PMCID: PMC10749171 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s444115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent successive approval of anti-amyloid-β (Aβ) monoclonal antibodies as disease-modifying therapies against Alzheimer's disease (AD) has raised great confidence in the development of anti-AD therapies; however, the current therapies still face the dilemma of significant adverse reactions and limited effects. In this review, we summarized the therapeutic characteristics of the approved anti-Aβ immunotherapies and dialectically analyzed the gains and losses from clinical trials. The review further proposed the reasonable selection of animal models in preclinical studies from the perspective of different animal models of Aβ deposition and deals in-depth with the recent advances of exploring preclinical nanomedical application in Aβ targeted therapy, aiming to provide a reliable systematic summary for the development of novel anti-Aβ therapies. Collectively, this review comprehensively dissects the pioneering work of Aβ-targeted therapies and proposed perspective insight into AD-modified therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixuan Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Translational Research Institute for Neurological Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College), Wuhu, 241000, People’s Republic of China
- The Institute of Brain Science, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yun Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Translational Research Institute for Neurological Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College), Wuhu, 241000, People’s Republic of China
- The Institute of Brain Science, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shirong Ruan
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Translational Research Institute for Neurological Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College), Wuhu, 241000, People’s Republic of China
- The Institute of Brain Science, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yixuan Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Translational Research Institute for Neurological Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College), Wuhu, 241000, People’s Republic of China
- The Institute of Brain Science, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241000, People’s Republic of China
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Pless A, Ware D, Saggu S, Rehman H, Morgan J, Wang Q. Understanding neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer's disease: challenges and advances in diagnosis and treatment. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1263771. [PMID: 37732300 PMCID: PMC10508352 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1263771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) affect up to 97% of AD patients, with an estimated 80% of current AD patients experiencing these symptoms. Common AD-associated NPS include depression, anxiety, agitation, aggression, and apathy. The severity of NPS in AD is typically linked to the disease's progression and the extent of cognitive decline. Additionally, these symptoms are responsible for a significant increase in morbidity, mortality, caregiver burden, earlier nursing home placement, and greater healthcare expenditure. Despite their high prevalence and significant impact, there is a notable lack of clinical research on NPS in AD. In this article, we explore and analyze the prevalence, symptom manifestations, challenges in diagnosis, and treatment options of NPS associated with AD. Our literature review reveals that distinguishing and accurately diagnosing the NPS associated with AD remains a challenging task in clinical settings. It is often difficult to discern whether NPS are secondary to pathophysiological changes from AD or are comorbid psychiatric conditions. Furthermore, the availability of effective pharmaceutical interventions, as well as non-pharmacotherapies for NPS in AD, remains limited. By highlighting the advance and challenges in diagnosis and treatment of AD-associated NPS, we aspire to offer new insights into the complexity of identifying and treating these symptoms within the context of AD, and contribute to a deeper understanding of the multifaceted nature of NPS in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Pless
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Destany Ware
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Shalini Saggu
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Hasibur Rehman
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - John Morgan
- Department of Neurology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Qin Wang
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
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Pardridge WM. Receptor-mediated drug delivery of bispecific therapeutic antibodies through the blood-brain barrier. FRONTIERS IN DRUG DELIVERY 2023; 3:1227816. [PMID: 37583474 PMCID: PMC10426772 DOI: 10.3389/fddev.2023.1227816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic antibody drug development is a rapidly growing sector of the pharmaceutical industry. However, antibody drug development for the brain is a technical challenge, and therapeutic antibodies for the central nervous system account for ~3% of all such agents. The principal obstacle to antibody drug development for brain or spinal cord is the lack of transport of large molecule biologics across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Therapeutic antibodies can be made transportable through the blood-brain barrier by the re-engineering of the therapeutic antibody as a BBB-penetrating bispecific antibody (BSA). One arm of the BSA is the therapeutic antibody and the other arm of the BSA is a transporting antibody. The transporting antibody targets an exofacial epitope on a BBB receptor, and this enables receptor-mediated transcytosis (RMT) of the BSA across the BBB. Following BBB transport, the therapeutic antibody then engages the target receptor in brain. RMT systems at the BBB that are potential conduits to the brain include the insulin receptor (IR), the transferrin receptor (TfR), the insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGFR) and the leptin receptor. Therapeutic antibodies have been re-engineered as BSAs that target the insulin receptor, TfR, or IGFR RMT systems at the BBB for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
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