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Giannopoulou P, Vrahatis AG, Papalaskari MA, Vlamos P. The RODI mHealth app Insight: Machine-Learning-Driven Identification of Digital Indicators for Neurodegenerative Disorder Detection. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2985. [PMID: 37998477 PMCID: PMC10671821 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11222985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurocognitive Disorders (NCDs) pose a significant global health concern, and early detection is crucial for optimizing therapeutic outcomes. In parallel, mobile health apps (mHealth apps) have emerged as a promising avenue for assisting individuals with cognitive deficits. Under this perspective, we pioneered the development of the RODI mHealth app, a unique method for detecting aligned with the criteria for NCDs using a series of brief tasks. Utilizing the RODI app, we conducted a study from July to October 2022 involving 182 individuals with NCDs and healthy participants. The study aimed to assess performance differences between healthy older adults and NCD patients, identify significant performance disparities during the initial administration of the RODI app, and determine critical features for outcome prediction. Subsequently, the results underwent machine learning processes to unveil underlying patterns associated with NCDs. We prioritize the tasks within RODI based on their alignment with the criteria for NCDs, thus acting as key digital indicators for the disorder. We achieve this by employing an ensemble strategy that leverages the feature importance mechanism from three contemporary classification algorithms. Our analysis revealed that tasks related to visual working memory were the most significant in distinguishing between healthy individuals and those with an NCD. On the other hand, processes involving mental calculations, executive working memory, and recall were less influential in the detection process. Our study serves as a blueprint for future mHealth apps, offering a guide for enhancing the detection of digital indicators for disorders and related conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiota Giannopoulou
- Bioinformatics and Human Electrophysiology Laboratory, Department of Informatics, Ionian University, 49100 Corfu, Greece; (P.G.); (A.G.V.)
| | - Aristidis G. Vrahatis
- Bioinformatics and Human Electrophysiology Laboratory, Department of Informatics, Ionian University, 49100 Corfu, Greece; (P.G.); (A.G.V.)
| | | | - Panagiotis Vlamos
- Bioinformatics and Human Electrophysiology Laboratory, Department of Informatics, Ionian University, 49100 Corfu, Greece; (P.G.); (A.G.V.)
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2
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Mizuno A, Karim HT, Ly MJ, Lopresti BJ, Cohen AD, Ali AA, Mathis CA, Klunk WE, Aizenstein HJ, Snitz BE. Low thalamic activity during a digit-symbol substitution task is associated with symptoms of subjective cognitive decline. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1242822. [PMID: 37743995 PMCID: PMC10511647 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1242822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) may represent the earliest preclinical stage of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) for some older adults. However, the underlying neurobiology of SCD is not completely understood. Since executive function may be affected earlier than memory function in the progression of AD, we aimed to characterize SCD symptoms in terms of fMRI brain activity during the computerized digit-symbol substitution task (DSST), an executive function task. We also explored associations of DSST task performance with brain activation, SCD severity, and amyloid-ß (Aß) load. Methods We analyzed data from 63 cognitively normal older individuals (mean age 73.6 ± 7.2) with varying degree of SCD symptoms. Participants completed a computerized version of DSST in the MR scanner and a Pittsburgh Compound-B (PiB)-PET scan to measure global cerebral Aß load. Results A voxel-wise analysis revealed that greater SCD severity was associated with lower dorsomedial thalamus activation. While task performance was not associated with brain activation nor Aß load, slower reaction time was associated with greater SCD severity. Discussion The observed lower dorsomedial thalamus activation may reflect declining familiarity-based working memory and the trans-thalamic executive function pathway in SCD. SCD symptoms may reflect altered neural function and subtle decline of executive function, while Aß load may have an indirect impact on neural function and performance. Self-perceived cognitive decline may serve as a psychological/subjective marker reflecting subtle brain changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Mizuno
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Helmet Talib Karim
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Maria J. Ly
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Brian J. Lopresti
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Ann D. Cohen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Areej A. Ali
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Chester A. Mathis
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - William E. Klunk
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Howard J. Aizenstein
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Beth E. Snitz
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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3
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Serra L, Gabrielli GB, Di Domenico C, Del Bono C, Marra C, Lopiano L, Caltagirone C, Bozzali M. Are the inhibitory and faciliatory effects during retrieval of semantically related items present in amnestic mild cognitive impairment? J Neuropsychol 2023; 17:63-80. [PMID: 35968861 DOI: 10.1111/jnp.12286] [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: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Prefrontal functions subserve inhibition control for retrieval of semantically related items inducing forgetting 19 a-MCI patients and 29 controls underwent neuropsychological evaluation and retrieval-practice paradigm (RPP) to estimate baseline remember (BR), retrieval-induced facilitation (FAC) and retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF). A-MCI patients underwent also 3 T-MRI to assess relationship between regional grey matter (rGM) volumes and RPP indexes Behaviourally, RIF and FAC were both observed controls, while RIF only was observed in a-MCI patients. In patients but not in controls, RIF was associated with cognitive efficiency and FAC with memory performance. Patients showed also associations between BR and rGM volumes in the precuneus, no association was found between rGM volumes and RIF and FAC. A-MCI patients did not benefit from repeated practice during retrieval of studied items, which is likely due to their memory disorder. In contrast, patient cognitive efficiency would drive retrieval suppression of interfering stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Serra
- Neuroimaging Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Chiara Del Bono
- Neuroimaging Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Camillo Marra
- Institute of Neurology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Leonardo Lopiano
- Department of Neuroscience 'Rita Levi Montalcini', University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Carlo Caltagirone
- Laboratory of Clinical and Behavioural Neurology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Bozzali
- Department of Neuroscience 'Rita Levi Montalcini', University of Torino, Turin, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, Brighton & Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
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4
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The Neuroprotective Activities of the Novel Multi-Target Iron-Chelators in Models of Alzheimer's Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Aging. Cells 2023; 12:cells12050763. [PMID: 36899898 PMCID: PMC10001413 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050763] [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: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The concept of chelation therapy as a valuable therapeutic approach in neurological disorders led us to develop multi-target, non-toxic, lipophilic, brain-permeable compounds with iron chelation and anti-apoptotic properties for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), age-related dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Herein, we reviewed our two most effective such compounds, M30 and HLA20, based on a multimodal drug design paradigm. The compounds have been tested for their mechanisms of action using animal and cellular models such as APP/PS1 AD transgenic (Tg) mice, G93A-SOD1 mutant ALS Tg mice, C57BL/6 mice, Neuroblastoma × Spinal Cord-34 (NSC-34) hybrid cells, a battery of behavior tests, and various immunohistochemical and biochemical techniques. These novel iron chelators exhibit neuroprotective activities by attenuating relevant neurodegenerative pathology, promoting positive behavior changes, and up-regulating neuroprotective signaling pathways. Taken together, these results suggest that our multifunctional iron-chelating compounds can upregulate several neuroprotective-adaptive mechanisms and pro-survival signaling pathways in the brain and might function as ideal drugs for neurodegenerative disorders, such as PD, AD, ALS, and aging-related cognitive decline, in which oxidative stress and iron-mediated toxicity and dysregulation of iron homeostasis have been implicated.
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5
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Toller G, Zitser J, Sukhanov P, Grant H, Miller BL, Kramer JH, Rosen HJ, Rankin KP, Grinberg LT. Clinical, neuroimaging, and neuropathological characterization of a patient with Alzheimer's disease syndrome due to Pick's pathology. Neurocase 2022; 28:19-28. [PMID: 34402746 PMCID: PMC9472769 DOI: 10.1080/13554794.2021.1936072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The most common neurodegenerative syndrome associated with Pick's disease pathology (PiD) is behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), which features profound social behavioral changes. Rarely, PiD can manifest as an Alzheimer's disease (AD)-type dementia with early memory impairment. We describe a patient with AD-type dementia and pure PiD pathology who showed slowly progressive memory impairment, early social changes, and paucity of motor symptoms. Atrophy and PiD were found mainly in frontotemporal regions underlying social behavior. This report may help predict the pathology of patients with atypical AD, which will ultimately be critical for enrolling suitable subjects into disease-modifying clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianina Toller
- Memory and Aging Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer Zitser
- Memory and Aging Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourazky Medical Center, Affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Paul Sukhanov
- Memory and Aging Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Harli Grant
- Memory and Aging Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Bruce L Miller
- Memory and Aging Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Joel H Kramer
- Memory and Aging Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Howard J Rosen
- Memory and Aging Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Katherine P Rankin
- Memory and Aging Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lea T Grinberg
- Memory and Aging Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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6
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From aMCI to AD: The Role of Visuo-Spatial Memory Span and Executive Functions in Egocentric and Allocentric Spatial Impairments. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11111536. [PMID: 34827534 PMCID: PMC8615504 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11111536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A difficulty in encoding spatial information in an egocentric (i.e., body-to-object) and especially allocentric (i.e., object-to-object) manner, and impairments in executive function (EF) are typical in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Since executive functions are involved in spatial encodings, it is important to understand the extent of their reciprocal or selective impairment. To this end, AD patients, aMCI and healthy elderly people had to provide egocentric (What object was closest to you?) and allocentric (What object was closest to object X?) judgments about memorized objects. Participants’ frontal functions, attentional resources and visual-spatial memory were assessed with the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), the Trail Making Test (TMT) and the Corsi Block Tapping Test (forward/backward). Results showed that ADs performed worse than all others in all tasks but did not differ from aMCIs in allocentric judgments and Corsi forward. Regression analyses showed, although to different degrees in the three groups, a link between attentional resources, visuo-spatial memory and egocentric performance, and between frontal resources and allocentric performance. Therefore, visuo-spatial memory, especially when it involves allocentric frames and requires demanding active processing, should be carefully assessed to reveal early signs of conversion from aMCI to AD.
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7
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Masse C, Vandel P, Sylvestre G, Noiret N, Bennabi D, Mauny F, Puyraveau M, Barsznica Y, Dartevelle J, Meyer A, Binetruy M, Lavaux M, Ryff I, Giustiniani J, Magnin E, Galmiche J, Haffen E, Chopard G. Cognitive Impairment in Late-Life Depression: A Comparative Study of Healthy Older People, Late-Life Depression, and Mild Alzheimer's Disease Using Multivariate Base Rates of Low Scores. Front Psychol 2021; 12:724731. [PMID: 34675839 PMCID: PMC8525508 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.724731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Late-Life Depression (LLD) is often associated with cognitive impairment. However, distinction between cognitive impairment due to LLD and those due to normal aging or mild Alzheimer's Disease (AD) remain difficult. The aim of this study was to present and compare the multivariate base rates of low scores in LLD, mild AD, and healthy control groups on a battery of neuropsychological tests. Participants (ages 60-89) were 352 older healthy adults, 390 patients with LLD, and 234 patients with mild AD (i.e., MMSE ≥ 20). Multivariate base rates of low scores (i.e., ≤ 5th percentile) were calculated for each participant group within different cognitive domains (verbal episodic memory, executive skills, mental processing speed, constructional praxis, and language/semantic memory). Obtaining at least one low score was relatively common in healthy older people controls (from 9.4 to 17.6%), and may thus result in a large number of false positives. By contrast, having at least two low scores was unusual (from 0.3 to 4.6%) and seems to be a more reliable criterion for identifying cognitive impairment in LLD. Having at least three low memory scores was poorly associated with LLD (5.9%) compared to mild AD (76.1%) and may provide a useful way to differentiate between these two conditions [χ ( 1 ) 2 = 329.8, p < 0.001; Odds Ratio = 50.7, 95% CI = 38.2-77.5]. The multivariate base rate information about low scores in healthy older people and mild AD may help clinicians to identify cognitive impairments in LLD patients, improve the clinical decision-making, and target those who require regular cognitive and clinical follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Masse
- Department of Clinical Psychiatry, Besançon University Hospital, Besançon, France
- Laboratory of Neurosciences and Cognitive Psychology, University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Pierre Vandel
- Department of Clinical Psychiatry, Besançon University Hospital, Besançon, France
- Laboratory of Neurosciences and Cognitive Psychology, University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
- Association for the Development of Applied Neuropsychology, Besançon, France
- Clinical Investigation Center 1431-INSERM, Besançon University Hospital, Besançon, France
| | - Géraldine Sylvestre
- Association for the Development of Applied Neuropsychology, Besançon, France
- Department of Neurology, Memory Resource and Research Center (CM2R), Besançon University Hospital, Besançon, France
| | - Nicolas Noiret
- Research Centre on Cognition and Learning (CeRCA), UMR 7295 CNRS, University of Poitiers and University of Tours, Poitiers, France
| | - Djamila Bennabi
- Department of Clinical Psychiatry, Besançon University Hospital, Besançon, France
- Laboratory of Neurosciences and Cognitive Psychology, University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Frédéric Mauny
- Methodology Unit, uMETh, Clinical Investigation Center 1431-INSERM, Besançon, France
- Laboratory of Chrono-Environnement, UMR 6249 CNRS, University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Marc Puyraveau
- Methodology Unit, uMETh, Clinical Investigation Center 1431-INSERM, Besançon, France
| | - Yoan Barsznica
- Department of Clinical Psychiatry, Besançon University Hospital, Besançon, France
- Laboratory of Neurosciences and Cognitive Psychology, University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
- Department of Neurology, Memory Resource and Research Center (CM2R), Besançon University Hospital, Besançon, France
| | - Jonathan Dartevelle
- Association for the Development of Applied Neuropsychology, Besançon, France
| | - Agatha Meyer
- Association for the Development of Applied Neuropsychology, Besançon, France
| | - Mickaël Binetruy
- Association for the Development of Applied Neuropsychology, Besançon, France
| | - Marie Lavaux
- Association for the Development of Applied Neuropsychology, Besançon, France
| | - Ilham Ryff
- Department of Clinical Psychiatry, Besançon University Hospital, Besançon, France
- Department of Neurology, Memory Resource and Research Center (CM2R), Besançon University Hospital, Besançon, France
| | - Julie Giustiniani
- Department of Clinical Psychiatry, Besançon University Hospital, Besançon, France
- Laboratory of Neurosciences and Cognitive Psychology, University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Eloi Magnin
- Laboratory of Neurosciences and Cognitive Psychology, University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
- Department of Neurology, Memory Resource and Research Center (CM2R), Besançon University Hospital, Besançon, France
| | - Jean Galmiche
- Association for the Development of Applied Neuropsychology, Besançon, France
| | - Emmanuel Haffen
- Department of Clinical Psychiatry, Besançon University Hospital, Besançon, France
- Laboratory of Neurosciences and Cognitive Psychology, University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
- Clinical Investigation Center 1431-INSERM, Besançon University Hospital, Besançon, France
| | - Gilles Chopard
- Department of Clinical Psychiatry, Besançon University Hospital, Besançon, France
- Laboratory of Neurosciences and Cognitive Psychology, University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
- Association for the Development of Applied Neuropsychology, Besançon, France
- Department of Neurology, Memory Resource and Research Center (CM2R), Besançon University Hospital, Besançon, France
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8
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van Heusden FC, Palacín I Bonsón S, Stiedl O, Smit AB, van Kesteren RE. Longitudinal Assessment of Working Memory Performance in the APPswe/PSEN1dE9 Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease Using an Automated Figure-8-Maze. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:655449. [PMID: 34054444 PMCID: PMC8155296 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.655449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, with a long preclinical and prodromal phase. To enable the study of disease mechanisms, AD has been modeled in many transgenic animal lines and cognitive functioning has been tested using several widely used behavioral tasks. These tasks, however, are not always suited for repeated longitudinal testing and are often associated with acute stress such as animal transfer, handling, novelty, or stress related to the task itself. This makes it challenging to relate cognitive dysfunction in animal models to cognitive decline observed in AD patients. Here, we designed an automated figure-8-maze (F8M) to test mice in a delayed alternation task (DAT) in a longitudinal manner. Mice were rewarded when they entered alternate sides of the maze on subsequent trials. Automation as well as connection of the F8M set-up with a home cage reduces experimenter interference and minimizes acute stress, thus making it suitable for longitudinal testing and facilitating clinical translation. In the present study, we monitored cognitive functioning of 2-month-old APPswe/PSEN1dE9 (APP/PS1) mice over a period of 4 months. The percentage of correct responses in the DAT did not differ between wild-type and transgenic mice from 2 to 6 months of age. However, 6-month-old mice displayed an increase in the number of consecutive incorrect responses. These results demonstrate the feasibility of longitudinal testing using an automated F8M and suggest that APP/PS1 mice are not impaired at delayed spatial alternation until 6 months of age under the current experimental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fran C van Heusden
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sara Palacín I Bonsón
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Oliver Stiedl
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - August B Smit
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ronald E van Kesteren
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Acute cognitive impairment after traumatic brain injury predicts the occurrence of brain atrophy patterns similar to those observed in Alzheimer's disease. GeroScience 2021; 43:2015-2039. [PMID: 33900530 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-021-00355-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are often followed by persistent structural brain alterations and by cognitive sequalae, including memory deficits, reduced neural processing speed, impaired social function, and decision-making difficulties. Although mild TBI (mTBI) is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), the extent to which these conditions share patterns of macroscale neurodegeneration has not been quantified. Comparing such patterns can not only reveal how the neurodegenerative trajectories of TBI and AD are similar, but may also identify brain atrophy features which can be leveraged to prognosticate AD risk after TBI. The primary aim of this study is to systematically map how TBI affects white matter (WM) and gray matter (GM) properties in AD-analogous patterns. Our findings identify substantial similarities in the regional macroscale neurodegeneration patterns associated with mTBI and AD. In cerebral GM, such similarities are most extensive in brain areas involved in memory and executive function, such as the temporal poles and orbitofrontal cortices, respectively. Our results indicate that the spatial pattern of cerebral WM degradation observed in AD is broadly similar to the pattern of diffuse axonal injury observed in TBI, which frequently affects WM structures like the fornix, corpus callosum, and corona radiata. Using machine learning, we find that the severity of AD-like brain changes observed during the chronic stage of mTBI can be accurately prognosticated based on acute assessments of post-traumatic mild cognitive impairment. These findings suggest that acute post-traumatic cognitive impairment predicts the magnitude of AD-like brain atrophy, which is itself associated with AD risk.
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10
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Elverman KH, Paitel ER, Figueroa CM, McKindles RJ, Nielson KA. Event-Related Potentials, Inhibition, and Risk for Alzheimer's Disease Among Cognitively Intact Elders. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 80:1413-1428. [PMID: 33682720 DOI: 10.3233/jad-201559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite advances in understanding Alzheimer's disease (AD), prediction of AD prior to symptom onset remains severely limited, even when primary risk factors such as the apolipoprotein E (APOE) ɛ4 allele are known. OBJECTIVE Although executive dysfunction is highly prevalent and is a primary contributor to loss of independence in those with AD, few studies have examined neural differences underlying executive functioning as indicators of risk for AD prior to symptom onset, when intervention might be effective. METHODS This study examined event-related potential (ERP) differences during inhibitory control in 44 cognitively intact older adults (20 ɛ4+, 24 ɛ4-), relative to 41 young adults. All participants completed go/no-go and stop-signal tasks. RESULTS Overall, both older adult groups exhibited slower reaction times and longer ERP latencies compared to young adults. Older adults also had generally smaller N200 and P300 amplitudes, except at frontal electrodes and for N200 stop-signal amplitudes, which were larger in older adults. Considered with intact task accuracy, these findings suggest age-related neural compensation. Although ɛ4 did not distinguish elders during go or no-go tasks, this study uniquely showed that the more demanding stop-signal task was sensitive to ɛ4 differences, despite comparable task and neuropsychological performance with non-carriers. Specifically, ɛ4+ elders had slower frontal N200 latency and larger N200 amplitude, which was most robust at frontal sites, compared with ɛ4-. CONCLUSION N200 during a stop-signal task is sensitive to AD risk, prior to any evidence of cognitive dysfunction, suggesting that stop-signal ERPs may be an important protocol addition to neuropsychological testing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ryan J McKindles
- Marquette University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Kristy A Nielson
- Marquette University, Department of Psychology, Milwaukee, WI, USA.,Medical College of Wisconsin, Department of Neurology, Milwaukee, WI, USA
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11
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Tsentidou G, Moraitou D, Tsolaki M. Cognition in Vascular Aging and Mild Cognitive Impairment. J Alzheimers Dis 2020; 72:55-70. [PMID: 31561369 DOI: 10.3233/jad-190638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular health declines with age, due to vascular risk factors, and this leads to an increasing risk of cognitive decline. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is defined as the negative cognitive changes beyond what is expected in normal aging. The purpose of the study was to compare older adults with vascular risk factors (VRF), MCI patients, and healthy controls (HC) in main dimensions of cognitive control. The sample comprised a total of 109 adults, aged 50 to 85 (M = 66.09, S.D. = 9.02). They were divided into three groups: 1) older adults with VRF, 2) MCI patients, and 3) healthy controls (HC). VRF and MCI did not differ significantly in age, educational level, or gender as was the case with HC. The tests used mainly examine inhibition, cognitive flexibility, and working memory processing. Results showed that the VRF group had more Set Loss Errors in drawing designs indicating deficits in establishing cognitive set and in cognitive shifting. MCI patients displayed lower performance in processing. Hence, different types of specific impairments emerge in vascular aging and MCI, and this may imply that discrete underlying pathologies may play a role in the development of somewhat different profiles of cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glykeria Tsentidou
- Laboratoty of Psychology, Department of Experimental and Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.,Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (CIRI), AUTh, Greece
| | - Despina Moraitou
- Laboratoty of Psychology, Department of Experimental and Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.,Greek Association of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, Thessaloniki (GAADRD), Greece.,Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (CIRI), AUTh, Greece
| | - Magda Tsolaki
- 1st Department of Neurology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh), Greece.,Greek Association of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, Thessaloniki (GAADRD), Greece.,Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (CIRI), AUTh, Greece
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12
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Glachet O, El Haj M. Smell your self: Olfactory stimulation improves self-concept in Alzheimer's disease. Neuropsychol Rehabil 2020; 32:464-480. [PMID: 33078674 DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2020.1831553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Research has demonstrated a link between decline in autobiographical memory and decline in the sense of self in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent work has also shown that odour is a powerful cue to alleviate decline in autobiographical memory in AD. Based on these findings, we investigated whether odour exposure improves access to self-concept in AD patients. To this end, we invited AD and control participants to make self-related statements (i.e., statements in response to the question "Who am I?") after odour exposure or without odour exposure. We measured the number and the categories of self-related statements (i.e., whether these statements described the psychological, social or physical self) that were generated in each condition. Results demonstrated that both AD and control participants generated more self-statements in the odour condition than in the odor-free condition, especially psychological self-statements. This study is the first to demonstrate the positive influence of olfactory stimulation on the retrieval of self-related knowledge in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ophélie Glachet
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, CHU Lille, UMR 9193 - SCALab - Sciences Cognitives et, Sciences Affectives, Lille, France.,Unité de Gériatrie, Centre Hospitalier de Tourcoing, Tourcoing, France
| | - Mohamad El Haj
- Nantes Université, Univ Angers, Laboratoire de Psychologie des Pays de la Loire (LPPL - EA 4638), Nantes, France.,Unité de Gériatrie, Centre Hospitalier de Tourcoing, Tourcoing, France.,Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
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13
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Garcia-Alvarez L, Gomar JJ, Sousa A, Garcia-Portilla MP, Goldberg TE. Breadth and depth of working memory and executive function compromises in mild cognitive impairment and their relationships to frontal lobe morphometry and functional competence. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2019; 11:170-179. [PMID: 30911598 PMCID: PMC6416209 DOI: 10.1016/j.dadm.2018.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The extent of working memory (WM) and executive function (EF) impairment in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is not well-characterized. METHODS We compared 48 patients with MCI, 124 noncognitively impaired elderly healthy controls, and 57 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) on multiple WM/EF measures, frontal lobe integrity indexes, and functioning. RESULTS Patients with MCI demonstrated worse performance on nearly all WM/EF tests. This profile of impairment was refined in a factor analysis that identified three primary WM/EF constructs: WM storage; speed and controlled visual search; and manipulation of information and problem solving. EF impairments were associated with reductions in prefrontal cortical thickness. WM/EF accounted for over 50% of the variance in functional competence. DISCUSSION In MCI, WM/EF impairments are far from rare, based on specific compromises to frontal cortex circuitry, and are associated with loss of everyday functioning. WM/EF impairments, even at this potentially prodromal stage of AD, have clinically deleterious consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Garcia-Alvarez
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Spain
- Fundación para la Investigación e Innovación Biosanitaria del Principado de Asturias (Finba), Oviedo, Spain
| | - Jesus J. Gomar
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Spain
- The Litwin-Zucker Alzheimer's Research Center, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, USA
- FIDMAG Hermanas Hospitalarias Research Foundation, SantBoi de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Amber Sousa
- The Litwin-Zucker Alzheimer's Research Center, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, USA
| | - Maria P. Garcia-Portilla
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Spain
- Fundación para la Investigación e Innovación Biosanitaria del Principado de Asturias (Finba), Oviedo, Spain
| | - Terry E. Goldberg
- Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, NY, USA
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Narme P, Maillet D, Palisson J, Le Clésiau H, Moroni C, Belin C. How to Assess Executive Functions in a Low-Educated and Multicultural Population Using a Switching Verbal Fluency Test (the TFA-93) in Neurodegenerative Diseases? Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen 2019; 34:469-477. [PMID: 30827122 PMCID: PMC10653371 DOI: 10.1177/1533317519833844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Few neuropsychological tests are available to assess executive dysfunction in low-educated and multicultural populations. To address this issue, the TFA-93, a switching verbal fluency test to assess cognitive flexibility, was administered to 70 healthy controls, 57 patients with a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, and 21 with a clinical diagnosis of a neurodegenerative disease associated with frontal disorders. Most of the participants were low-educated and nonnative French speakers. The TFA-93 comprises 2 categorical fluency tasks (animals and fruits) and a fluency task in which participants have to switch between animals and fruits. Correct responses and errors were collected, and a flexibility index expressed the switching cost. Results showed that correct responses were lower, and the switching cost was greater in both patient groups. In low-educated and multicultural populations, the TFA-93 seems to be a good alternative to assess flexibility compared to the standard neuropsychological tools based on academic abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Narme
- Equipe Neuropsychologie du Vieillissement (EA 4468), Institut de Psychologie, Université Paris Descartes, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
- Laboratoire Mémoire, Cerveau et Cognition (EA 7536), Institut de Psychologie, Université Paris Descartes, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Didier Maillet
- Service de Neurologie, Hôpital Saint-Louis APHP, Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France
- Laboratoire PSITEC, EA 4072, UFR de psychologie, Université de Lille, Pont de Bois, Villeneuve d’Ascq, France
| | - Juliette Palisson
- Unité Fonctionnelle Mémoire et Maladies Neurodégénératives, Service de Neurologie, CHU Avicenne, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Bobigny, France
| | - Hervé Le Clésiau
- Centre d’Examens de Santé de la Caisse primaire d’Assurance Maladie de la Seine-Saint-Denis, Bobigny, France
| | - Christine Moroni
- Laboratoire PSITEC, EA 4072, UFR de psychologie, Université de Lille, Pont de Bois, Villeneuve d’Ascq, France
| | - Catherine Belin
- Equipe Neuropsychologie du Vieillissement (EA 4468), Institut de Psychologie, Université Paris Descartes, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
- Service de Neurologie, Hôpital Saint-Louis APHP, Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France
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15
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Li F, Egawa N, Yoshimoto S, Mizutani H, Kobayashi K, Tachibana N, Takahashi R. Potential Clinical Applications and Future Prospect of Wireless and Mobile Electroencephalography on the Assessment of Cognitive Impairment. Bioelectricity 2019; 1:105-112. [PMID: 34471813 DOI: 10.1089/bioe.2019.0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Electroencephalography (EEG) systems have been used for assessing cognitive function in dementia for several decades. Studies have demonstrated that EEG in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients is generally characterized by significant and specific increases in delta and theta power, a decrease in alpha power, and a decrease in the coherence of the fast bands between different brain areas linked by long corticocortical fibers. Posterior EEG characteristics in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) allowed discrimination of DLB from AD and controls with high accuracy. Traditional EEG systems require a long application time and discomfort, which limited its use in dementia patients. Alternative tools for assessing cognition may be simple, low-cost, and mobile medical devices such as wireless and mobile EEG (wmEEG) sensor platforms with flexible electronics and stretchable electrode sheets that could be compatible with long-term EEG monitoring even in dementia patients. In this study, we review the utility of EEG in reflecting cognitive function and the prospects for clinical application of wmEEG monitoring for detecting early dementia and discriminating subtypes of dementia effectively and objectively assessing longitudinal cognitive changes. Repeated and longitudinal documentation of EEG using wmEEG will contribute to detection of specific sleep/wake EEG patterns for patients with sleep and wake-related problems related to dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangzhou Li
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Naohiro Egawa
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | | | | | - Katsuya Kobayashi
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Naoko Tachibana
- Department of Neurology, Center for Sleep-Related Disorders, Kansai Electric Power Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Takahashi
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
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16
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Jung F, Kazemifar S, Bartha R, Rajakumar N. Semiautomated Assessment of the Anterior Cingulate Cortex in Alzheimer's Disease. J Neuroimaging 2019; 29:376-382. [PMID: 30640412 DOI: 10.1111/jon.12598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is involved in several cognitive processes including executive function. Degenerative changes of ACC are consistently seen in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, volumetric changes specific to the ACC in AD are not clear because of the difficulty in segmenting this region. The objectives of the current study were to develop a precise and high-throughput approach for measuring ACC volumes and to correlate the relationship between ACC volume and cognitive function in AD. METHODS Structural T1 -weighted magnetic resonance images of AD patients (n = 47) and age-matched controls (n = 47) at baseline and at 24 months were obtained from the Alzheimer's disease neuroimaging initiative (ADNI) database and studied using a custom-designed semiautomated segmentation protocol. RESULTS ACC volumes obtained using the semiautomated protocol were highly correlated to values obtained from manual segmentation (r = .98) and the semiautomated protocol was considerably faster. When comparing AD and control subjects, no significant differences were observed in baseline ACC volumes or in change in ACC volumes over 24 months using the two segmentation methods. However, a change in ACC volume over 24 months did not correlate with a change in mini-mental state examination scores. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that the proposed semiautomated segmentation protocol is reliable for determining ACC volume in neurodegenerative conditions including AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora Jung
- Department of Physiology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Samaneh Kazemifar
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Robert Bartha
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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17
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Park EH, Jon DI. Modality-Specific Working Memory Systems Verified by Clinical Working Memory Tests. CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE 2018; 16:489-493. [PMID: 30466221 PMCID: PMC6245297 DOI: 10.9758/cpn.2018.16.4.489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Revised: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 09/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Objective This study was to identify whether working memory (WM) can be clearly subdivided according to auditory and visual modality. To do this, we administered the most recent and universal clinical WM measures in a mixed psychiatric sample. Methods A total of 115 patients were diagnosed on the basis of DSM-IV diagnostic criteria and with MINI-Plus 5.0, a structured diagnostic interview. WM subtests of Korean version of Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV and Korean version of Wechsler Memory Scale-IV were administered to assess WM. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to observe whether WM measures fit better to a one-factor or two-factor model. Results CFA results demonstrated that a two factor model fits the data better than one-factor model as expected. Conclusion Our study supports a modality model of WM, or the existence of modality-specific WM systems, and thus poses a clinical significance of assessing both auditory and visual WM tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Hee Park
- Department of Psychiatry, Hallym University College of Medicine, Anyang, Korea.,Department of Psychology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Duk-In Jon
- Department of Psychiatry, Hallym University College of Medicine, Anyang, Korea
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18
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Neuropsychological correlates of cognitive, emotional-affective and auto-activation apathy in Alzheimer's disease. Neuropsychologia 2018; 118:12-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2018.01.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Revised: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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19
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Serino S, Morganti F, Colombo D, Pedroli E, Cipresso P, Riva G. Disentangling the Contribution of Spatial Reference Frames to Executive Functioning in Healthy and Pathological Aging: An Experimental Study with Virtual Reality. SENSORS 2018; 18:s18061783. [PMID: 29865196 PMCID: PMC6022116 DOI: 10.3390/s18061783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Revised: 05/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
A growing body of evidence pointed out that a decline in effectively using spatial reference frames for categorizing information occurs both in normal and pathological aging. Moreover, it is also known that executive deficits primarily characterize the cognitive profile of older individuals. Acknowledging this literature, the current study was aimed to specifically disentangle the contribution of the cognitive abilities related to the use of spatial reference frames to executive functioning in both healthy and pathological aging. 48 healthy elderly individuals and 52 elderly suffering from probable Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) took part in the study. We exploited the potentiality of Virtual Reality to specifically measure the abilities in retrieving and syncing between different spatial reference frames, and then we administrated different neuropsychological tests for evaluating executive functions. Our results indicated that allocentric functions contributed significantly to the planning abilities, while syncing abilities influenced the attentional ones. The findings were discussed in terms of previous literature exploring relationships between cognitive deficits in the first phase of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Serino
- Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Lab, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Via Magnasco 2, 20149 Milan, Italy.
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Gemelli 1, 20100 Milan, Italy.
| | - Francesca Morganti
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Piazzale S. Agostino 2, 24129 Bergamo, Italy.
| | - Desirée Colombo
- Department of Basic Psychology, Clinic and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, Av. Sos Baynat, s/n, 12071 Castellón, Spain.
| | - Elisa Pedroli
- Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Lab, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Via Magnasco 2, 20149 Milan, Italy.
| | - Pietro Cipresso
- Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Lab, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Via Magnasco 2, 20149 Milan, Italy.
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Gemelli 1, 20100 Milan, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Riva
- Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Lab, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Via Magnasco 2, 20149 Milan, Italy.
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Gemelli 1, 20100 Milan, Italy.
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20
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Reversal of memory and neuropsychiatric symptoms and reduced tau pathology by selenium in 3xTg-AD mice. Sci Rep 2018; 8:6431. [PMID: 29691439 PMCID: PMC5915484 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-24741-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulation of amyloid-β plaques and tau contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but it is unclear whether targeting tau pathology by antioxidants independently of amyloid-β causes beneficial effects on memory and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Selenium, an essential antioxidant element reduced in the aging brain, prevents development of neuropathology in AD transgenic mice at early disease stages. The therapeutic potential of selenium for ameliorating or reversing neuropsychiatric and cognitive behavioral symptoms at late AD stages is largely unknown. Here, we evaluated the effects of chronic dietary sodium selenate supplementation for 4 months in female 3xTg-AD mice at 12–14 months of age. Chronic sodium selenate treatment efficiently reversed hippocampal-dependent learning and memory impairments, and behavior- and neuropsychiatric-like symptoms in old female 3xTg-AD mice. Selenium significantly decreased the number of aggregated tau-positive neurons and astrogliosis, without globally affecting amyloid plaques, in the hippocampus of 3xTg-AD mice. These results indicate that selenium treatment reverses AD-like memory and neuropsychiatric symptoms by a mechanism involving reduction of aggregated tau and/or reactive astrocytes but not amyloid pathology. These results suggest that sodium selenate could be part of a combined therapeutic approach for the treatment of memory and neuropsychiatric symptoms in advanced AD stages.
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21
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Allen AP, Doyle C, Commins S, Roche RA. Autobiographical memory, the ageing brain and mechanisms of psychological interventions. Ageing Res Rev 2018; 42:100-111. [PMID: 29246541 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2017.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Elucidating the impact of healthy cognitive ageing and dementia on autobiographical memory (AM) may help deepen our theoretical understanding of memory and underlying neural changes. The distinction between episodic and semantic autobiographical memory is particularly informative in this regard. Psychological interventions, particularly those involving reminiscence or music, have led to differential effects on episodic and semantic autobiographical memory. We propose that executive function is a key mediator of psychological therapies on autobiographical memory. We also highlight that interventions that alleviate stress and improve mood, including in major depression, can enhance autobiographical memory. Future research employing more longitudinal approaches and examining moderating factors such as gender and education level will deepen our understanding of changes in AM in later life, enhance our theoretical understanding of the neuroscience of AM and ageing, and help to develop better targeted interventions for preserving AM in older adults.
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22
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Seo EH, Kim H, Lee KH, Choo IH. Altered Executive Function in Pre-Mild Cognitive Impairment. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 54:933-940. [PMID: 27567814 DOI: 10.3233/jad-160052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND For the early detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD), there is increasing interest in pre-mild cognitive impairment (pre-MCI). OBJECTIVE We explored the neuropsychological characteristics in a group of pre-MCI and cognitively normal (CN) elderly individuals, with the aim of providing measures sensitive to cognitive change in pre-MCI. METHODS We included 188 CN elderly and 77 individuals with pre-MCI. All participants underwent comprehensive clinical and neuropsychological assessment. We compared 17 cognitive tests between the CN and pre-MCI groups by using one-way ANOVAs with false discovery rate correction for multiple comparisons. Pearson's correlations were also obtained between episodic memory and executive function tests in the pre-MCI group. RESULTS The pre-MCI group showed significantly lower scores for visual immediate recall, fluency tests, and Stroop color naming in the color-word incongruent condition than the CN group (p < 0.05). Most of these executive function measures were significantly correlated with episodic memory (p < 0.05). There were no significant group-differences in other tests assessing attention, verbal memory, visuospatial ability, and language. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that poor executive function especially demanding inhibition and goal-directed behaviors within time limit could be the characteristics of the very early cognitive sign in the course of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Hyun Seo
- National Research Center for Dementia, Gwangju, Korea.,Premedical Science, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Hoowon Kim
- National Research Center for Dementia, Gwangju, Korea.,Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Chosun University/Chosun University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Kun Ho Lee
- National Research Center for Dementia, Gwangju, Korea.,College of Natural Sciences, Chosun University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Il Han Choo
- National Research Center for Dementia, Gwangju, Korea.,Department of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Chosun University/Chosun University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea
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23
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Kent BA, Heath CJ, Kim CH, Ahrens R, Fraser PE, St George‐Hyslop P, Bussey TJ, Saksida LM. Longitudinal evaluation of Tau-P301L transgenic mice reveals no cognitive impairments at 17 months of age. Brain Behav 2018; 8:e00896. [PMID: 29568692 PMCID: PMC5853624 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Revised: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Tau is a microtubule-associated binding protein implicated in neurodegenerative tauopathies, including frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). These diseases result in the intracellular accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau in the form of neurofibrillary tangles, the presence of which is associated with cognitive deficits. Methods We conducted a longitudinal behavioral study to provide a profile of the TgTau(P301L)23027 transgenic mouse in multiple cognitive domains across multiple ages. P301L is the tau mutation most frequently observed in patients with frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP-17) and this mouse model recapitulates the progressive development of glial and neurofibrillary tangles, and associated cerebral atrophy observed in patients. We examined frontal cortex-dependent executive function and attention with the touchscreen 5-choice serial reaction time test (5-CSRTT) and assessed the function of temporal cortical structures using novel object recognition (OR). Results Despite using sensitive tasks, there were no apparent changes in executive function, attention, or recognition memory in the transgenic mice from 5 to 17 months of age. Conclusions This study represents the first comprehensive longitudinal analysis of cognition in the TgTauP301L mouse model and suggests that this model is not ideal for studying early attention and recognition memory impairments associated with tauopathy. However, spatial and object recognition memory impairments were observed during follow-up assessments when the mice were 18 and 21 months, respectively. These impairments are consistent with previous publications, and with a dementia-like phenotype in these mice when aged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianne A. Kent
- Department of MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
| | - Christopher J. Heath
- Department of Life, Health and Chemical SciencesThe Open UniversityMilton KeynesUK
| | - Chi Hun Kim
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Rosemary Ahrens
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative DiseasesUniversity of TorontoTorontoONCanada
| | - Paul E. Fraser
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative DiseasesUniversity of TorontoTorontoONCanada
| | - Peter St George‐Hyslop
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative DiseasesUniversity of TorontoTorontoONCanada
- Cambridge Institute for Medical ResearchUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Timothy J. Bussey
- Department of Psychology and MRC & Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience InstituteUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- Molecular Medicine Research Group, Robarts Research Institute & Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & DentistryWestern UniversityLondonONCanada
- The Brain and Mind InstituteWestern UniversityLondonONCanada
| | - Lisa M. Saksida
- Department of Psychology and MRC & Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience InstituteUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- Molecular Medicine Research Group, Robarts Research Institute & Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & DentistryWestern UniversityLondonONCanada
- The Brain and Mind InstituteWestern UniversityLondonONCanada
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Li F, Takechi H, Kokuryu A, Takahashi R. Longitudinal Changes in Performance on Cognitive Screening Tests in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer Disease. Dement Geriatr Cogn Dis Extra 2017; 7:366-373. [PMID: 29282409 PMCID: PMC5731165 DOI: 10.1159/000481910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Revised: 09/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neuropsychological tests that can track changes in cognitive functions after diagnosis of Alzheimer disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), including episodic memory, should be further developed. Methods The participants of our study consisted of 22 mild AD patients and 11 MCI patients. They were followed up for 2 years. Brief cognitive screening tests were administered to the participants. Longitudinal changes in test performance were evaluated and analyzed. Results In this longitudinal study, the Scenery Picture Memory Test (SPMT) showed significant changes over 2 years in both MCI and AD participants. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Word Fluency Test-vegetable showed significant changes only in AD participants. Other tests all showed little or no decline in results. Conclusions The SPMT can be a useful tool for effectively observing changes during follow-up of MCI and AD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangzhou Li
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hajime Takechi
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Geriatrics and Cognitive Disorders, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Atsuko Kokuryu
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Takahashi
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
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25
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Martyr A, Boycheva E, Kudlicka A. Assessing inhibitory control in early-stage Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease using the Hayling Sentence Completion Test. J Neuropsychol 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/jnp.12129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Martyr
- School of Psychology; University of Exeter; UK
- PenCLAHRC; Institute of Health Research; University of Exeter Medical School; UK
| | - Elina Boycheva
- Clinical Research Unit; University Hospital “12 de Octubre”; Madrid Spain
| | - Aleksandra Kudlicka
- School of Psychology; University of Exeter; UK
- PenCLAHRC; Institute of Health Research; University of Exeter Medical School; UK
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26
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Noiret N, Carvalho N, Laurent É, Chopard G, Binetruy M, Nicolier M, Monnin J, Magnin E, Vandel P. Saccadic Eye Movements and Attentional Control in Alzheimer's Disease. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 2017; 33:1-13. [DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acx044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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27
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Nitta E, Onoda K, Ishitobi F, Okazaki R, Mishima S, Nagai A, Yamaguchi S. Enhanced Feedback-Related Negativity in Alzheimer's Disease. Front Hum Neurosci 2017; 11:179. [PMID: 28503138 PMCID: PMC5408015 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2017.00179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia in the elderly, results in the impairment of executive function, including that of performance monitoring. Feedback-related negativity (FRN) is an electrophysiological measure reflecting the activity of this monitoring system via feedback signals, and is generated from the anterior cingulate cortex. However, there have been no reports on FRN in AD. Based on prior aging studies, we hypothesized that FRN would decrease in AD patients. To assess this, FRN was measured in healthy individuals and those with AD during a simple gambling task involving positive and negative feedback stimuli. Contrary to our hypothesis, FRN amplitude increased in AD patients, compared with the healthy elderly. We speculate that this may reflect the existence of a compensatory mechanism against the decline in executive function. Also, there was a significant association between FRN amplitude and depression scores in AD, and the FRN amplitude tended to increase insomuch as the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) was higher. This result suggests the existence of a negative bias in the affective state in AD. Thus, the impaired functioning monitoring system in AD is a more complex phenomenon than we thought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eri Nitta
- Central Clinical Laboratory, Shimane University HospitalIzumo, Japan
| | - Keiichi Onoda
- Department of Neurology, Shimane University Faculty of MedicineIzumo, Japan
| | - Fuminori Ishitobi
- Central Clinical Laboratory, Shimane University HospitalIzumo, Japan
| | - Ryota Okazaki
- Central Clinical Laboratory, Shimane University HospitalIzumo, Japan
| | - Seiji Mishima
- Central Clinical Laboratory, Shimane University HospitalIzumo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Nagai
- Central Clinical Laboratory, Shimane University HospitalIzumo, Japan
| | - Shuhei Yamaguchi
- Department of Neurology, Shimane University Faculty of MedicineIzumo, Japan
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Ateş FE, Cangöz B, Özel Kızıl ET, Baskak B, Baran Z, Özgüven HD. Frontal activity during a verbal emotional working memory task in patients with Alzheimer's disease: A functional near-infrared spectroscopy study. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2017; 261:29-34. [PMID: 28126617 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2016.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2015] [Revised: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Emotional working memory (EWM) is suggested as a working memory (WM) type, distinguished to process emotional stimuli, and may or may not be spared in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim was to compare patients with AD and healthy older adults (HC) on verbal EWM performance and accompanying prefrontal cortex activity. Twenty AD patients along with 20 HC individuals are required to complete an emotional one-back task in three conditions (neutral, positive and negative word lists). Prefrontal oxyhemoglobin (oxyHb) concentrations were measured simultaneously by a 24- channel functional near infrared spectroscopy device. Correct response rates were similar in two groups in all conditions. Reaction times were comparable in the EWM positive condition but longer in the AD group in EWMneutral and negative conditions. In the HC group, emotional words had no significant effect on WM. On the other hand, positive compared to neutral words led to greater activation in the left ventral prefrontal cortex (VPFC) in AD group. When compared to HCs, activity in the VPFC was significantly higher in AD patients during the positive condition. Positive words facilitated WM performance in participants with AD. Activity in VPFC may be the functional correlate of this phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Ebru Ateş
- Hacettepe University, Department of Psychology, Turkey; School of Psychology - Keynes College, AG9, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NP, United Kingdom.
| | - Banu Cangöz
- Hacettepe University, Department of Psychology, Turkey
| | - Erguvan Tuğba Özel Kızıl
- Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Psychiatry Department, Ankara University, Brain Research and Applications Center (BAUM), Turkey
| | - Bora Baskak
- Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Psychiatry Department, Ankara University, Brain Research and Applications Center (BAUM), Turkey
| | - Zeynel Baran
- Hacettepe University, Department of Psychology, Turkey
| | - Halise Devrimci Özgüven
- Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Psychiatry Department, Ankara University, Brain Research and Applications Center (BAUM), Turkey
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Cognitive correlates of spatial navigation: Associations between executive functioning and the virtual Morris Water Task. Behav Brain Res 2017; 317:470-478. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2016] [Revised: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Kumfor F, Halliday GM, Piguet O. Clinical Aspects of Alzheimer's Disease. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2017; 15:31-53. [PMID: 28674977 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-57193-5_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia accounting for 50-60% of all dementia cases. This chapter briefly reviews the history of Alzheimer's disease and provides an overview of the clinical syndromes associated with Alzheimer pathology and their associated neuroimaging findings. This chapter also reviews the neuropathology and genetics of Alzheimer's disease and concludes by discussing current work undertaken to identify suitable in vivo biomarkers for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Kumfor
- School of Psychology, Central Medical School and Brain & Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Mallett St, Sydney, 2006, NSW, Australia.
| | - Glenda M Halliday
- School of Psychology, Central Medical School and Brain & Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Mallett St, Sydney, 2006, NSW, Australia
| | - Olivier Piguet
- School of Psychology, Central Medical School and Brain & Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Mallett St, Sydney, 2006, NSW, Australia
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Schubert S, Leyton CE, Hodges JR, Piguet O. Longitudinal Memory Profiles in Behavioral-Variant Frontotemporal Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2016; 51:775-82. [PMID: 26890749 DOI: 10.3233/jad-150802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) and behavioral-variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) can present with an overlapping neuropsychological profile, which often hinders their clinical differentiation. OBJECTIVE To compare changes over time in memory, general cognition tasks, and functional scales between bvFTD and AD. METHODS Consecutive cases diagnosed with probable bvFTD (n = 22) and typical AD (n = 31) with at least two clinical visits were selected. Of these, 13 (9 AD, 4 bvFTD) underwent Pittsburgh compound B PET scan, which supported the clinical diagnosis in all cases. Mixed-model regressions were used to estimate the differential rate of decline on selected tasks between cohorts. RESULTS Analyses demonstrated that, despite equivalent baseline performance, bvFTD patients experienced a more rapid functional deterioration and a steeper decline in global cognition than AD patients. At baseline, both groups were impaired on executive function and memory tasks compared to controls, but these deficits were more marked in the bvFTD group. In addition, performance on these domains continued to decline more rapidly in this group. CONCLUSIONS Neither the initial neuropsychological assessment nor projected performances can reliably distinguish the totality of bvFTD and AD individuals. Nevertheless, annual rates of progression on cognitive tasks provide valuable information and will potentially help establish the impact of future therapeutic treatments in these dementia syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cristian E Leyton
- Neuroscience Research Australia, NSW, Australia.,The Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - John R Hodges
- Neuroscience Research Australia, NSW, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Olivier Piguet
- Neuroscience Research Australia, NSW, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Contribution de capacités exécutives et non exécutives dans différentes situations de rappel à court terme : étude chez la personne âgée. ANNEE PSYCHOLOGIQUE 2016. [DOI: 10.4074/s0003503316000324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Noroozian M. Alzheimer's Disease: Prototype of Cognitive Deterioration, Valuable Lessons to Understand Human Cognition. Neurol Clin 2016; 34:69-131. [PMID: 26613996 DOI: 10.1016/j.ncl.2015.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
It is important for neurologists to become more familiar with neuropsychological evaluation for Alzheimer disease. The growth of this method in research, as an available, inexpensive, and noninvasive diagnostic approach, which can be administered even by non-specialist-trained examiners, makes this knowledge more necessary than ever. Such knowledge has a basic role in planning national programs in primary health care systems for prevention and early detection of Alzheimer disease. This is more crucial in developing countries, which have higher rates of dementia prevalence along with cardiovascular risk factors, lack of public knowledge about dementia, and limited social support. In addition compared to the neurological hard signs which are tangible and measurable, the concept of cognition seems to be more difficult for the neurologists to evaluate and for the students to understand. Dementia in general and Alzheimer's disease as the prototype of cognitive disorders specifically, play an important role to explore all domains of human cognition through its symptomatology and neuropsychological deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Noroozian
- Memory and Behavioral Neurology Division, Department of Psychiatry, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 606 South Kargar Avenue, Tehran 1333795914, Iran.
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Huang SF, Liu CK, Chang CC, Su CY. Sensitivity and specificity of executive function tests for Alzheimer's disease. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY-ADULT 2016; 24:493-504. [PMID: 27420924 DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2016.1204301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Decline in executive function (EF) occurs early in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and can interfere with daily functioning. Unfortunately, little is known about the relative ability of traditional EF tests to detect these cognitive changes. Given that timely diagnosis and intervention are essential to improving functional outcome in this population, our aim was to identify the specific EF measures that best differentiated mild dementia from normal aging. Thirty-one patients with mild AD and 31 controls were administered 7 EF tests. Findings indicated significant between-group differences on all measures except Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. The remaining 6 tests displayed fair to good accuracy discriminating between AD cases and controls. Only category fluency and Tower of London test remained in the final regression model that yielded the highest AUC of 0.90, which was not statistically different from that of either test alone. Overall, most of the tests employed were valid for assessing mild EF disturbances. Specifically, the two measures can be used in isolation for quick screening or in combination to facilitate a more in-depth evaluation of EF performance. This study contributes to clinical field by testifying to the validity of various EF tests to identify AD-related compromises in this cognitive domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Fen Huang
- a Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Ministry of Health and Welfare Pingtung Hospital , Pingtung , Taiwan
| | - Ching-Kuan Liu
- b Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Medical University , Kaohsiung , Taiwan
| | - Chiung-Chih Chang
- c Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital , Kaohsiung , Taiwan
| | - Chwen-Yng Su
- d Occupational Therapy, Kaohsiung Medical University , Kaohsiung , Taiwan
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Joubert S, Gour N, Guedj E, Didic M, Guériot C, Koric L, Ranjeva JP, Felician O, Guye M, Ceccaldi M. Early-onset and late-onset Alzheimer's disease are associated with distinct patterns of memory impairment. Cortex 2015; 74:217-32. [PMID: 26694580 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2015.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Revised: 08/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/24/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The goal of this study was to investigate the specific patterns of memory breakdown in patients suffering from early-onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD) and late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). Twenty EOAD patients, twenty LOAD patients, twenty matched younger controls, and twenty matched older controls participated in this study. All participants underwent a detailed neuropsychological assessment, an MRI scan, an FDG-PET scan, and AD patients had biomarkers as supporting evidence of both amyloïdopathy and neuronal injury. Results of the neuropsychological assessment showed that both EOAD and LOAD groups were impaired in the domains of memory, executive functions, language, praxis, and visuoconstructional abilities, when compared to their respective control groups. EOAD and LOAD groups, however, showed distinct patterns of memory impairment. Even though both groups were similarly affected on measures of episodic, short term and working memory, in contrast semantic memory was significantly more impaired in LOAD than in EOAD patients. The EOAD group was not more affected than the LOAD group in any memory domain. EOAD patients, however, showed significantly poorer performance in other cognitive domains including executive functions and visuoconstructional abilities. A more detailed analysis of the pattern of semantic memory performance among patient groups revealed that the LOAD was more profoundly impaired, in tasks of both spontaneous recall and semantic recognition. Voxel-Based Morphometry (VBM) analyses showed that impaired semantic performance in patients was associated with reduced gray matter volume in the anterior temporal lobe (ATL) region, while PET-FDG analyses revealed that poorer semantic performance was associated with greater hypometabolism in the left temporoparietal region, both areas reflecting key regions of the semantic network. Results of this study indicate that EOAD and LOAD patients present with distinct patterns of memory impairment, and that a genuine semantic impairment may represent one of the clinical hallmarks of LOAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Joubert
- Département de psychologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Centre de recherche Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM), Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Natalina Gour
- Université Aix-Marseille, INSERM, Institut des Neurosciences des Systèmes (INS) UMR 1106, Marseille, France; APHM, Hôpitaux de la Timone, Service de Neurologie et de Neuropsychologie, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, CRMBM UMR 7339, Marseille, France
| | - Eric Guedj
- APHM, Hôpitaux de la Timone, Service de Neurologie et de Neuropsychologie, Marseille, France; APHM, Hôpitaux de la Timone, Pôle d'Imagerie, CEMEREM, Marseille, France
| | - Mira Didic
- Université Aix-Marseille, INSERM, Institut des Neurosciences des Systèmes (INS) UMR 1106, Marseille, France; APHM, Hôpitaux de la Timone, Service de Neurologie et de Neuropsychologie, Marseille, France
| | - Claude Guériot
- APHM, Hôpitaux de la Timone, Service de Neurologie et de Neuropsychologie, Marseille, France
| | - Lejla Koric
- APHM, Hôpitaux de la Timone, Service de Neurologie et de Neuropsychologie, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Philippe Ranjeva
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, CRMBM UMR 7339, Marseille, France; APHM, Hôpitaux de la Timone, Pôle d'Imagerie, CEMEREM, Marseille, France
| | - Olivier Felician
- Université Aix-Marseille, INSERM, Institut des Neurosciences des Systèmes (INS) UMR 1106, Marseille, France; APHM, Hôpitaux de la Timone, Service de Neurologie et de Neuropsychologie, Marseille, France
| | - Maxime Guye
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, CRMBM UMR 7339, Marseille, France; APHM, Hôpitaux de la Timone, Pôle d'Imagerie, CEMEREM, Marseille, France
| | - Mathieu Ceccaldi
- Université Aix-Marseille, INSERM, Institut des Neurosciences des Systèmes (INS) UMR 1106, Marseille, France; APHM, Hôpitaux de la Timone, Service de Neurologie et de Neuropsychologie, Marseille, France
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Cross-validation of a Shortened Battery for the Assessment of Dysexecutive Disorders in Alzheimer Disease. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 2015; 30:140-4. [PMID: 26485496 DOI: 10.1097/wad.0000000000000112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The frequency of executive disorders in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer disease (AD) has been demonstrated by the application of a comprehensive battery. The present study analyzed data from 2 recent multicenter studies based on the same executive battery. The objective was to derive a shortened battery by using the GREFEX population as a training dataset and by cross-validating the results in the REFLEX population. A total of 102 AD patients of the GREFEX study (MMSE=23.2±2.9) and 72 patients of the REFLEX study (MMSE=20.8±3.5) were included. Tests were selected and receiver operating characteristic curves were generated relative to the performance of 780 controls from the GREFEX study. Stepwise logistic regression identified 3 cognitive tests (Six Elements Task, categorical fluency and Trail Making Test B error) and behavioral disorders globally referred as global hypoactivity (P=0.0001, all). This shortened battery was as accurate as the entire GREFEX battery in diagnosing dysexecutive disorders in both training group and the validation group. Bootstrap procedure confirmed the stability of AUC. A shortened battery based on 3 cognitive tests and 3 behavioral domains provides a high diagnosis accuracy of executive disorders in mild-to-moderate AD.
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Dao E, Hsiung GYR, Sossi V, Jacova C, Tam R, Dinelle K, Best JR, Liu-Ambrose T. Exploring the effects of coexisting amyloid in subcortical vascular cognitive impairment. BMC Neurol 2015; 15:197. [PMID: 26459220 PMCID: PMC4604093 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-015-0459-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 10/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Mixed pathology, particularly Alzheimer’s disease with cerebrovascular lesions, is reported as the second most common cause of dementia. Research on mixed dementia typically includes people with a primary AD diagnosis and hence, little is known about the effects of co-existing amyloid pathology in people with vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). The purpose of this study was to understand whether individual differences in amyloid pathology might explain variations in cognitive impairment among individuals with clinical subcortical VCI (SVCI). Methods Twenty-two participants with SVCI completed an 11C Pittsburgh compound B (PIB) position emission tomography (PET) scan to quantify global amyloid deposition. Cognitive function was measured using: 1) MOCA; 2) ADAS-Cog; 3) EXIT-25; and 4) specific executive processes including a) Digits Forward and Backwards Test, b) Stroop-Colour Word Test, and c) Trail Making Test. To assess the effect of amyloid deposition on cognitive function we conducted Pearson bivariate correlations to determine which cognitive measures to include in our regression models. Cognitive variables that were significantly correlated with PIB retention values were entered in a hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis to determine the unique effect of amyloid on cognitive function. We controlled for age, education, and ApoE ε4 status. Results Bivariate correlation results showed that PIB binding was significantly correlated with ADAS-Cog (p < 0.01) and MOCA (p < 0.01); increased PIB binding was associated with worse cognitive function on both cognitive measures. PIB binding was not significantly correlated with the EXIT-25 or with specific executive processes (p > 0.05). Regression analyses controlling for age, education, and ApoE ε4 status indicated an independent association between PIB retention and the ADAS-Cog (adjusted R-square change of 15.0 %, Sig F Change = 0.03). PIB retention was also independently associated with MOCA scores (adjusted R-Square Change of 27.0 %, Sig F Change = 0.02). Conclusion We found that increased global amyloid deposition was significantly associated with greater memory and executive dysfunctions as measured by the ADAS-Cog and MOCA. Our findings point to the important role of co-existing amyloid deposition for cognitive function in those with a primary SVCI diagnosis. As such, therapeutic approaches targeting SVCI must consider the potential role of amyloid for the optimal care of those with mixed dementia. Trial registration NCT01027858
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Dao
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2215 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6S 0A9, Canada.
| | - Ging-Yuek Robin Hsiung
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada.
| | - Vesna Sossi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, 6224 Agricultural Road, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1, Canada. .,UBC PET, Brain Research Centre, 2211 Westboork Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada.
| | - Claudia Jacova
- School of Professional Psychology, Pacific University, 190 SE 8th Avenue, Hillsboro, OR, 97123, USA.
| | - Roger Tam
- Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, 3350-950 W 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1 M9, Canada. .,MS/MRI Research Group, University of British Columbia, 2215 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6S 0A9, Canada.
| | - Katie Dinelle
- UBC PET, Brain Research Centre, 2211 Westboork Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada.
| | - John R Best
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2215 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6S 0A9, Canada. .,Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, 212-2177 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
| | - Teresa Liu-Ambrose
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2215 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6S 0A9, Canada. .,Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, 212-2177 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
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Farina N, Tabet N, Rusted J. The relationship between habitual physical activity status and executive function in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease: a longitudinal, cross-lagged panel analysis. AGING NEUROPSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITION 2015; 23:234-52. [DOI: 10.1080/13825585.2015.1080213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Toral-Rios D, Franco-Bocanegra D, Rosas-Carrasco O, Mena-Barranco F, Carvajal-García R, Meraz-Ríos MA, Campos-Peña V. Evaluation of inflammation-related genes polymorphisms in Mexican with Alzheimer's disease: a pilot study. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:148. [PMID: 26041990 PMCID: PMC4435067 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid peptide is able to promote the activation of microglia and astrocytes in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and this stimulates the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Inflammation contributes to the process of neurodegeneration and therefore is a key factor in the development of AD. Some of the most important proteins involved in AD inflammation are: clusterin (CLU), complement receptor 1 (CR1), C reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), the interleukins 1α (IL-1α), 6 (IL-6), 10 (IL-10) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2). In particular, COX-2 is encoded by the prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 gene (PTGS2). Since variations in the genes that encode these proteins may modify gene expression or function, it is important to investigate whether these variations may change the developing AD. The aim of this study was to determine whether the presence of polymorphisms in the genes encoding the aforementioned proteins is associated in Mexican patients with AD. Fourteen polymorphisms were genotyped in 96 subjects with AD and 100 controls; the differences in allele, genotype and haplotype frequencies were analyzed. Additionally, an ancestry analysis was conducted to exclude differences in genetic ancestry among groups as a confounding factor in the study. Significant differences in frequencies between AD and controls were found for the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs20417 within the PTGS2 gene. Ancestry analysis revealed no significant differences in the ancestry of the compared groups, and the association was significant even after adjustment for ancestry and correction for multiple testing, which strengthens the validity of the results. We conclude that this polymorphism plays an important role in the development of the AD pathology and further studies are required, including their proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danira Toral-Rios
- Departamento de Fisiología Biofísica y Neurociencias, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Diana Franco-Bocanegra
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | | | - Marco Antonio Meraz-Ríos
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Victoria Campos-Peña
- Laboratorio Experimental de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez Mexico City, Mexico
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Neuropathologically mixed Alzheimer's and Lewy body disease: burden of pathological protein aggregates differs between clinical phenotypes. Acta Neuropathol 2015; 129:729-48. [PMID: 25758940 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-015-1406-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Revised: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Multiple different pathological protein aggregates are frequently seen in human postmortem brains and hence mixed pathology is common. Mixed dementia on the other hand is less frequent and neuropathologically should only be diagnosed if criteria for more than one full blown disease are met. We quantitatively measured the amount of hyperphosphorylated microtubule associated tau (HP-τ), amyloid-β protein (Aβ) and α-synuclein (α-syn) in cases that were neuropathologically diagnosed as mixed Alzheimer's disease (AD) and neocortical Lewy body disease (LBD) but clinically presented either as dementia due to AD or LBD, the latter including dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD). Our study group consisted of 28 cases (mean age, 76.11 SE: ±1.29 years; m:f, 17:11) of which 19 were neuropathologically diagnosed as mixed AD/DLB. Clinically, 8 mixed AD/DLB cases were diagnosed as AD (cAD), 8 as DLB (cDLB) and 3 as PDD (cPDD). In addition, we investigated cases that were both clinically and neuropathologically diagnosed as either AD (pure AD; n = 5) or DLB/neocortical LBD (pure DLB; n = 4). Sections from neocortical, limbic and subcortical areas were stained with antibodies against HP-τ, Aβ and α-syn. The area covered by immunopositivity was measured using image analysis. cAD cases had higher HP-τ loads than both cDLB and cPDD and the distribution of HP-τ in cAD was similar to the one observed in pure AD whilst cDLB showed comparatively less hippocampal HP-τ load. cPDD cases showed lower HP-τ and Aβ loads and higher α-syn loads. Here, we show that in neuropathologically mixed AD/DLB cases both the amount and the topographical distribution of pathological protein aggregates differed between distinct clinical phenotypes. Large-scale clinicopathological correlative studies using a quantitative methodology are warranted to further elucidate the neuropathological correlate of clinical symptoms in cases with mixed pathology.
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García-Alberca J. Cognitive intervention therapy as treatment for behaviour disorders in Alzheimer disease: evidence on efficacy and neurobiological correlations. NEUROLOGÍA (ENGLISH EDITION) 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nrleng.2012.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
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Lavner Y, Rabinowitz I. Increasing stimulus duration improves attention and memory performance in elderly with cognitive impairment. SAGE Open Med 2015; 3:2050312115621566. [PMID: 27081485 PMCID: PMC4816991 DOI: 10.1177/2050312115621566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: In this study, we investigated whether increasing stimulus duration could improve performance on a test of attention and short-term memory in cognitively impaired individuals. Methods: A computer-generated forward digit span test was administered to 65 patients with mild cognitive impairment or dementia (28 intervention and 37 controls). After point of failure, testing in the intervention group was continued at the same rate, but with an average 150% digit lengthening to 800 ms. Testing of controls was continued using the standard digit span test. Results: In the intervention group, 13/28 (46.4%) improved their digit span test performance, compared to 2/37 (5.4%) in the control group (p = 0.00005). Conclusion: Cognitively impaired elderly participants improved performance on a test of attention and short-term memory, when stimulus duration was increased in proportion to elongation of the finger tap touch-phase previously found in a similar cohort. A possible mechanism for the effect of increased stimulus duration on attention and short-term memory is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhar Lavner
- Department of Computer Science, Tel-Hai College, Upper Galilee, Israel
| | - Israel Rabinowitz
- Geriatric Assessment Unit, Clalit Health Services, Haifa and Western Galilee District, Haifa, Israel
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Schecker M, Kochler C, Schmidtke K, Rauh R. Are There Any Connections between Language Deficits and Cognitive Slowing in Alzheimer's Disease? Dement Geriatr Cogn Dis Extra 2014; 4:442-9. [PMID: 25538728 PMCID: PMC4264518 DOI: 10.1159/000368317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Speech disorders already occur in the early phases of Alzheimer's disease (AD). As a possible cause, problems of executive processes are discussed. Cognitive slowing is also repeatedly addressed. Aims Are there any connections between cognitive slowing and speech disorders in AD? And is there a relationship between cognitive slowing and executive processes? Methods The data of 72 healthy controls and 52 AD patients were examined with regard to their language performance and their response times in a computerized Stroop paradigm. Results The AD patients showed significantly worse results in all language tests as well as much longer reaction times in all Stroop conditions, especially in the interference condition (Stroop 3). Speech errors and response times correlated with severity (MMSE), and the speech errors correlated with the reaction times in Stroop 3 (interference condition, which reflects the processing time of executive processes). Conclusion The most interesting question now is: How are language processing and executive processing time (Stroop 3) related?
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Schecker
- Neurolinguistisches Labor NLL, Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik im Kindes- und Jugendalter, Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Carsten Kochler
- Neurolinguistisches Labor NLL, Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik im Kindes- und Jugendalter, Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Klaus Schmidtke
- Klinik für Hirnleistungsstörungen Klausenbach, Nordrach, Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Reinhold Rauh
- Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik im Kindes- und Jugendalter, Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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Behl P, Edwards JD, Kiss A, Lanctot KL, Streiner DL, Black SE, Stuss DT. Treatment effects in multiple cognitive domains in Alzheimer's disease: a two-year cohort study. ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH & THERAPY 2014; 6:48. [PMID: 25484926 PMCID: PMC4255390 DOI: 10.1186/alzrt280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2013] [Accepted: 07/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Despite widespread use of second-generation cholinesterase inhibitors for the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), little is known about the long term effects of cholinergic treatment on global cognitive function and potential specific effects in different cognitive domains. The objectives of this study were to determine the association between cholinergic treatment and global cognitive function over one and two years in a cohort of patients with mild or moderate AD and identify potential differences in domain-specific cognitive outcomes within this cohort. Methods A cohort of patients meeting the revised National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke and the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association (NINCDS-ADRDA) criteria for mild or moderate AD, including patients both on treatment with a cholinesterase inhibitor and untreated controls (treated = 65, untreated = 65), were recruited from the Cognitive Neurology Clinic at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, as part of the Sunnybrook Dementia Study. Patients were followed for one to two years and underwent standardized neuropsychological assessments to evaluate global and domain-specific cognitive function. Associations between cholinesterase inhibitor use and global and domain-specific cognitive outcome measures at one and two years of follow-up were estimated using mixed model linear regression, adjusting for age, education, and baseline mini mental state examination (MMSE). Results At one year, treated patients showed significantly less decline in global cognitive function, and treatment and time effects across tests of executive and visuospatial function. At two years, there was a significant trend towards less decline in global cognition for treated patients. Moreover, treated patients showed significant treatment and time effects across tests of executive functioning, memory, and visuospatial function. Conclusions The present study offers two important contributions to knowledge of the effectiveness of cholinesterase inhibitor treatment in patients with mild-moderate AD: 1) that second-generation cholinesterase inhibitors demonstrate long-term effectiveness for reducing global cognitive decline over one to two years of follow-up, and 2) that decline in function for cognitive domains, including executive function, memory, and visuospatial skill that are primarily mediated by frontal networks and by the cholinergic system, rather than memory, may be slowed by treatment targeting the cholinergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pearl Behl
- L.C.Campbell Cognitive Neurology Research Unit, Toronto, Canada ; University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jodi D Edwards
- L.C.Campbell Cognitive Neurology Research Unit, Toronto, Canada ; Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alexander Kiss
- Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Krista L Lanctot
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada ; Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, Toronto, Ontario, Canada ; Department of Psychiatry, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David L Streiner
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences, McMaster University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sandra E Black
- L.C.Campbell Cognitive Neurology Research Unit, Toronto, Canada ; University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada ; Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, Toronto, Ontario, Canada ; Department of Medicine (Neurology), Toronto, Ontario, Canada ; Department of Psychology, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Donald T Stuss
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada ; Department of Medicine (Neurology), Toronto, Ontario, Canada ; Department of Psychology, Toronto, Ontario, Canada ; Ontario Brain Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Farina N, Tabet N, Rusted J. Habitual physical activity (HPA) as a factor in sustained executive function in Alzheimer-type dementia: A cohort study. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2014; 59:91-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2014.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2013] [Revised: 03/21/2014] [Accepted: 03/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Rabinowitz I, Lavner Y. Association between finger tapping, attention, memory, and cognitive diagnosis in elderly patients. Percept Mot Skills 2014; 119:259-78. [PMID: 25153754 DOI: 10.2466/10.22.pms.119c12z3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the association between spontaneous finger tapping and cognitive function, with a detailed analysis of the two main phases of finger tapping, the touch-phase and the off-phase. 170 elderly patients (83 men, 87 women; M age = 82.1 yr., SD = 6.2) underwent cognitive assessment including the Mini-Mental State Examination, a forward digit span test, and 15 sec. of finger tapping. Results indicated a significant increase in the length and variability of the finger-touch phase among participants with mild cognitive impairment or dementia compared to participants with no cognitive impairment, suggesting a relationship between finger tapping and attention, short-term memory, and cognitive diagnosis. Pattern classification analyses on the finger tapping parameters indicated a specificity of 0.91 and sensitivity of 0.52 for ruling out cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Israel Rabinowitz
- 1 Clalit Health Services, Geriatric Assessment Unit Haifa and Western Galilee District, Haifa, Israel
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Woodberry E, Browne G, Hodges S, Watson P, Kapur N, Woodberry K. The use of a wearable camera improves autobiographical memory in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Memory 2014; 23:340-9. [DOI: 10.1080/09658211.2014.886703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Wong S, Flanagan E, Savage G, Hodges JR, Hornberger M. Contrasting prefrontal cortex contributions to episodic memory dysfunction in behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's disease. PLoS One 2014; 9:e87778. [PMID: 24505314 PMCID: PMC3913699 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2013] [Accepted: 01/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence has questioned the integrity of episodic memory in behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), where recall performance is impaired to the same extent as in Alzheimer's disease (AD). While these deficits appear to be mediated by divergent patterns of brain atrophy, there is evidence to suggest that certain prefrontal regions are implicated across both patient groups. In this study we sought to further elucidate the dorsolateral (DLPFC) and ventromedial (VMPFC) prefrontal contributions to episodic memory impairment in bvFTD and AD. Performance on episodic memory tasks and neuropsychological measures typically tapping into either DLPFC or VMPFC functions was assessed in 22 bvFTD, 32 AD patients and 35 age- and education-matched controls. Behaviourally, patient groups did not differ on measures of episodic memory recall or DLPFC-mediated executive functions. BvFTD patients were significantly more impaired on measures of VMPFC-mediated executive functions. Composite measures of the recall, DLPFC and VMPFC task scores were covaried against the T1 MRI scans of all participants to identify regions of atrophy correlating with performance on these tasks. Imaging analysis showed that impaired recall performance is associated with divergent patterns of PFC atrophy in bvFTD and AD. Whereas in bvFTD, PFC atrophy covariates for recall encompassed both DLPFC and VMPFC regions, only the DLPFC was implicated in AD. Our results suggest that episodic memory deficits in bvFTD and AD are underpinned by divergent prefrontal mechanisms. Moreover, we argue that these differences are not adequately captured by existing neuropsychological measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Wong
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Emma Flanagan
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Greg Savage
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John R. Hodges
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michael Hornberger
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Executive functions in clinical and preclinical Alzheimer's disease. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2013; 169:695-708. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2013.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2013] [Revised: 07/23/2013] [Accepted: 07/23/2013] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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50
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Van Dam NT, Sano M, Mitsis EM, Grossman HT, Gu X, Park Y, Hof PR, Fan J. Functional neural correlates of attentional deficits in amnestic mild cognitive impairment. PLoS One 2013; 8:e54035. [PMID: 23326568 PMCID: PMC3543395 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2012] [Accepted: 12/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Although amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI; often considered a prodromal phase of Alzheimer's disease, AD) is most recognized by its implications for decline in memory function, research suggests that deficits in attention are present early in aMCI and may be predictive of progression to AD. The present study used functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine differences in the brain during the attention network test between 8 individuals with aMCI and 8 neurologically healthy, demographically matched controls. While there were no significant behavioral differences between groups for the alerting and orienting functions, patients with aMCI showed more activity in neural regions typically associated with the networks subserving these functions (e.g., temporoparietal junction and posterior parietal regions, respectively). More importantly, there were both behavioral (i.e., greater conflict effect) and corresponding neural deficits in executive control (e.g., less activation in the prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortices). Although based on a small number of patients, our findings suggest that deficits of attention, especially the executive control of attention, may significantly contribute to the behavioral and cognitive deficits of aMCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas T. Van Dam
- Department of Psychology, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, New York, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Mary Sano
- Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- Friedman Brain Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Effie M. Mitsis
- Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- Friedman Brain Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Hillel T. Grossman
- Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Xiaosi Gu
- Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Yunsoo Park
- Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Patrick R. Hof
- Department of Neuroscience, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- Friedman Brain Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Jin Fan
- Department of Psychology, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, New York, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
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