Disclosure of Amyloid Status for Risk of Alzheimer Disease to Cognitively Normal Research Participants With Subjective Cognitive Decline: A Longitudinal Study

Emotional distress following amyloid PET result disclosure: Heightened among those with cognitive symptoms

INTRODUCTION

We examined differences in emotional distress following amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) results disclosure across the cognitive spectrum, including individuals who are cognitively unimpaired, with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia.

METHODS

Seventy-five participants from the University of Pittsburgh Alzheimer's Disease Research Center who completed baseline PET and an initial follow-up call were included in the analysis. Multiple linear regression was employed to examine differences in distress among diagnostic groups, as measured by Impact of Genetic Testing for Alzheimer's Disease (IGT-AD) adapted for amyloid PET.

RESULTS

Regression analysis revealed significant associations between diagnostic categories and emotional distress post-disclosure. Pairwise comparisons indicated that those with normal cognition experienced significantly lower distress compared to MCI and dementia groups, even after controlling for amyloid status.

DISCUSSION

Emotional distress following amyloid PET disclosure is significantly higher in cognitively symptomatic individuals compared to the asymptomatic, highlighting the need for tailored counseling and support to address the complex psychological effects of disclosure.

HIGHLIGHTS

Emotional distress was compared across cognitive categories outside trial settings Cognitively unimpaired individuals had significantly lower distress than impaired No significant difference in distress was found between MCI and dementia groups Depression and anxiety did not differ significantly across diagnostic categories.

A Narrative Review on Biochemical Markers and Emerging Treatments in Prodromal Synucleinopathies

Alpha-synuclein has been associated with neurodegeneration, especially in Parkinson's disease (PD). This study aimed to review clinical, biochemical, and neuroimaging markers and management of prodromal synucleinopathies. The prodromal state of synucleinopathies can be better understood with PD pathophysiology, and it can be separated into premotor and pre-diagnostic phases. The incidence of PD in patients with prodromal phase symptoms ranges from 0.07 to 14.30, and the most frequently studied pathology is the REM behavioral disorder (RBD). Neuroimaging markers are related to dopamine denervation, brain perfusion changes, gross anatomy changes, and peripheral abnormalities. α-synuclein assays (SAA) in CSF revealed high sensitivity (up to 97%) and high specificity (up to 92%); in the last decade, there was the development of other matrices (blood, skin, and olfactory mucosa) for obtaining quantitative and qualitative α-synuclein. Other biomarkers are neurofilament light chain, DOPA decarboxylase, and multiplexed mass spectrometry assay. Regarding genetic counseling in α-synucleinopathies, it is an important topic in clinical practice to discuss with patients with high-risk individuals and should involve basic principles of autonomy, beneficence, and non-maleficence. Some of the themes that should be reviewed are the involvement of physical activity, diet (including alcohol, coffee, and vitamin supplementation), smoking, sleep, and stress in the pathophysiology of synucleinopathies. The number of trials related to prodromal symptoms is still scarce, and the number of studies evaluating intervention is even lower.

Counseling and disclosure practices in predictive Alzheimer's disease diagnostics: A scoping review

New possibilities of biomarker-based predictive technologies for Alzheimer's disease (AD) have become more reliable as well as more accessible. Standardized clinical recommendations and guidance for counseling and disclosure in this context are not yet well developed. Our scoping review identified publications from database searches in PubMed, PsycINFO, LIVIVO, and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria were: (1) information or counseling, (2) biomarkers and a type of cognitive impairment or AD, and (3) published between 2005 and 2024. We identified 63 articles and synthesized them along the categories of staged information provision: pre-test counseling, disclosure, and post-disclosure follow-up. Most publications referred to the context of disclosure (48), followed by pre-test counseling (33), and post-disclosure follow-up (31). Some publications referred to all stages of counseling (17). Our findings highlight the need to further develop and specify comprehensive and standardized guidelines for counseling, disclosure, and post-disclosure follow-up in the context of AD biomarker testing. HIGHLIGHTS: New possibilities of biomarker-based predictive technologies for Alzheimer's disease (AD) have become more reliable and also more accessible. However, clinical recommendations and guidance for counseling and disclosure in the context of AD biomarker testing are currently not well developed. We carried out a scoping review with the aim to generate an overview of the scientific literature and guidance available regarding counseling, biomarker test result and dementia risk disclosure, and clinical management prior to and in the course of a biomarker-based diagnosis in early stages of AD. We identified 63 relevant articles. Most publications referred to the context of disclosure (48), followed by pre-test counseling (33), and post-disclosure follow-up (31). Some publications referred to all stages of counseling (17). Our findings highlight the urgent need for national and international consensus guidelines for comprehensive and staged counseling and disclosure practices. While most publications identify relevant ethical challenges posed for counseling practices in the context of AD biomarker testing, they rarely present any practical recommendations for clinicians, on how and what to counsel on a concrete level.

Amyloid PET disclosure in subjective cognitive decline: Patient experiences over time

INTRODUCTION

We disclosed amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) results in individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and studied patient experiences and outcomes over a 6-month period.

METHODS

Fifty-seven participants from the Subjective Cognitive Impairment Cohort (SCIENCe) (66 ± 8 years, 21 [37%] F, Mini-Mental State Examination 29 ± 1, 15 [26%] amyloid positive [A+]) completed questionnaires 1 week prior (T0), 1 day after (T1), and 6 months after amyloid PET disclosure (T2). Questionnaires addressed patient-reported experiences and outcomes.

RESULTS

Independent of amyloid status, participants were satisfied with the consultation (scale 1-10; 7.9 ± 1.7) and information provided (scale 1-4; T1: 3.3 ± 0.9, T2: 3.2 ± 0.8). After 6 months, A+ participants reported more information needs (45% vs. 12%, p = 0.02). Independent of amyloid status, decision regret (scale 1-5; A+: 1.5 ± 0.9, A-: 1.4 ± 0.6, p = 0.53) and negative emotions (negative affect, uncertainty, anxiety) were low (all p > 0.15 and Pinteraction > 0.60).

DISCUSSION

Participants with SCD valued amyloid PET disclosure positively, regardless of amyloid status. The need for information after 6 months, which was stronger in A+ individuals, underscores the importance of follow-up.

HIGHLIGHTS

Participants with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) positively valued amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) disclosure. Participants with SCD experienced low levels of decision regret. We did not observe an increase in negative emotions. After 6 months, amyloid-positive individuals wanted more information.

Immediate Reactions to Alzheimer Biomarker Disclosure in Cognitively Unimpaired Individuals in a Global Truncated Randomized Trial

Background and Objectives

Preclinical Alzheimer disease (AD) trials simultaneously test candidate treatments and the implications of disclosing biomarker information to cognitively unimpaired individuals.

Methods

The EARLY trial was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2b/3 study conducted in 143 centers across 14 countries from November 2015 to December 2018 after being stopped prematurely because of treatment-related hepatotoxicity. Participants age 60-85 years deemed cognitively unimpaired were disclosed an elevated or not elevated brain amyloid result by a certified clinician. Among 3,686 participants, 2,066 underwent amyloid imaging, 1,394 underwent CSF biomarker assessment, and 226 underwent both. Among biomarker-tested participants with at least one change score on an outcome of interest, 680 with elevated and 2,698 with not elevated amyloid were included in this analysis. We compared the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), the State-Trait Anxiety Scale (STAI), and the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (CSSRS) before disclosure between amyloid groups. After disclosure, we assessed for differences in the Impact of Events Scale (IES, collected 24-72 hours after disclosure), a measure of intrusive thoughts. Additional scales included the Concerns for AD scale.

Results

Among 3378 included participants, the mean (SD) age was 69.0 (5.3); most were female (60%) and White race (84%). No differences were observed before disclosure between participants with elevated and not elevated amyloid for the GDS, STAI, or CSSRS. Participants with elevated amyloid demonstrated higher Concerns for AD scores compared with participants with not elevated amyloid before disclosure. Participants with elevated amyloid demonstrated higher IES scores (9.6 [10.8] vs 5.1 [8.0]) after disclosure and increased Concerns about AD. Patterns of reactions (elevated vs not elevated) were similar for biomarker modalities, although scores were lower among those undergoing CSF compared with PET testing. Although score differences were apparent comparing geographical regions, patterns of group differences were similar.

Discussion

Although sample bias must be considered, these results suggest that amyloid disclosure resulted in increased perceived risk and mild distress in those learning an elevated result. Although this study did not assess psychological safety, observed associations intrusive thoughts and distress could be important considerations in the future clinical practice.

Louis EK, Noyce AJ. Ethical Considerations for Identifying Individuals in the Prodromal/Early Phase of Parkinson's Disease: A Narrative Review

The ability to identify individuals in the prodromal phase of Parkinson's disease has improved in recent years, raising the question of whether and how those affected should be informed about the risk of future disease. Several studies investigated prognostic counselling for individuals with isolated REM sleep behavior disorder and have shown that most patients want to receive information about prognosis, but autonomy and individual preferences must be respected. However, there are still many unanswered questions about risk disclosure or early diagnosis of PD, including the impact on personal circumstances, cultural preferences and specific challenges associated with different profiles of prodromal symptoms, genetic testing or biomarker assessments. This narrative review aims to summarize the current literature on prognostic counselling and risk disclosure in PD, as well as highlight future perspectives that may emerge with the development of new biomarkers and their anticipated impact on the definition of PD.

Impact of sharing Alzheimer's disease biomarkers with individuals without dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of empirical data

INTRODUCTION

We conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of empirical evidence on expected and experienced implications of sharing Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarker results with individuals without dementia.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, APA PsycInfo, and Web of Science Core Collection were searched according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Results from included studies were synthesized, and quantitative data on psychosocial impact were meta-analyzed using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

We included 35 publications. Most personal stakeholders expressed interest in biomarker assessment. Learning negative biomarker results led to relief and sometimes frustration, while positive biomarkers induced anxiety but also clarity. Meta-analysis of five studies including 2012 participants (elevated amyloid = 1324 [66%], asymptomatic = 1855 [92%]) showed short-term psychological impact was not significant (random-effect estimate = 0.10, standard error = 0.23, P = 0.65). Most professional stakeholders valued biomarker testing, although attitudes and practices varied considerably.

DISCUSSION

Interest in AD biomarker testing was high and sharing their results did not cause psychological harm.

HIGHLIGHTS

Most personal stakeholders expressed interest in Alzheimer's disease biomarker assessment. Personal motivations included gaining insight, improving lifestyle, or preparing for the future. There was no short-term psychological impact of sharing biomarker status, implying it can be safe. Most professional stakeholders valued biomarker testing, believing the benefits outweigh the risk. Harmonized guidelines on biomarker testing and sharing results are required.

Perspectives From Black and White Participants and Care Partners on Return of Amyloid and Tau PET Imaging and Other Research Results

PURPOSE

Alzheimer disease (AD) biomarker testing is now common in research and approaching clinical translation. Disclosure protocols must be informed by diverse participants' perspectives on if/how the information would be useful.

METHODS

This study utilized semistructured interviews assessing interest in receiving positron emission tomography (PET) amyloid and tau results, as well as perceived risks and benefits of hypothetical PET disclosure as a function of race and participant diagnosis.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants [39% Black; 61% White; Mage =74.28 (5.98)] included 57 adults diagnosed as either cognitively healthy (58%) or with mild cognitive impairment (42%) and their respective care partners [33% Black; 67% White; Mage =66.93 (10.92)].

RESULTS

Most dyads endorsed strong interest in PET results (82.5% of both participants and partners) regardless of race or diagnosis. Black care partners were less interested in receiving the participant's results than White care partners ( χ2(4) =8.31, P =0.047). Reasons for disclosure were diverse and highly personalized, including access to treatments or clinical trials (23.2% participants; 29.8% partners), advance planning (14.3% participants; 17.5% partners), and improved health knowledge (12.5% participants; 15.8% partners). In contrast, over 80% of respondents denied any risks of disclosure.

DISCUSSION

Results suggest that predisclosure education, decisional capacity assessment, and a flexible disclosure approach are needed.

Biomarker disclosure protocols in prodromal Alzheimer's disease clinical trials

INTRODUCTION

The development of biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) has allowed researchers to increase sample homogeneity and test candidate treatments earlier in the disease. The integration of biomarker "screening" criteria should be met with a parallel implementation of standardized methods to disclose biomarker testing results to research participants; however, the extent to which protocolized disclosure occurs in trials is unknown.

METHODS

We reviewed the literature to identify prodromal AD trials published in the past 10 years. From these, we quantified the frequency of biomarker disclosure reporting and the depth of descriptions provided.

RESULTS

Of 30 published trials using positron emission tomography or cerebrospinal fluid-based amyloid positivity as an eligibility criterion, only one mentioned disclosure, with no details on methods.

DISCUSSION

Possible reasons for and implications of this information gap are discussed. Recommendations are provided for trialists considering biomarker screening as part of intervention trials focused on prodromal AD.

HIGHLIGHTS

Few prodromal Alzheimer's disease (AD) trial papers discuss biomarker disclosure. Disclosure has implications for participants, family members, and trial success. Disclosure must be consistently integrated and reported in prodromal AD trials. Best practice guidelines and training resources for disclosure are needed.

Association between anxiety symptoms and Alzheimer's disease biomarkers in cognitively healthy adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Anxiety has been identified as both a risk factor and prodromal symptom for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias, however, the underlying neurobiological correlates remain unknown. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the association between anxiety symptoms and two defining markers of AD neuropathology: amyloid-beta (Aβ) and tau.

METHODS

Systematic literature searches were conducted across 5 databases. Studies investigating the relationship between anxiety and AD neuropathology (i.e., Aβ and/or tau) in cognitively healthy adults were eligible. Where possible, effect sizes were combined across studies, for Aβ and tau separately, using random-effects meta-analyses. Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess whether results differed according to anxiety type (i.e., state and trait) and biomarker assessment modality (i.e., positron emission tomography and cerebrospinal fluid).

RESULTS

Twenty-seven studies reporting data from 14 unique cohorts met eligibility criteria. Random-effects meta-analyses revealed no associations between self-reported anxiety symptoms and either Aβ (13 studies, Fisher's z = 0.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.01-0.05, p = 0.194) or tau (4 studies, Fisher's z = 0.04, 95% CI -0.02-0.09, p = 0.235). Results remained unchanged across sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

In cognitively healthy adults, meta-analytic syntheses revealed no associations between anxiety symptoms and either Aβ or tau. There is a critical need, however, for larger studies with follow-up periods to examine the effect of anxiety symptom onset, severity, and chronicity on AD neuropathology. Additionally, further research investigating other potential neurobiological correlates is crucial to advance scientific understanding of the relationship between anxiety and dementia.

Analysis of Psychological Symptoms Following Disclosure of Amyloid-Positron Emission Tomography Imaging Results to Adults With Subjective Cognitive Decline

IMPORTANCE

Individuals who are amyloid-positive with subjective cognitive decline and clinical features increasing the likelihood of preclinical Alzheimer disease (SCD+) are at higher risk of developing dementia. Some individuals with SCD+ undergo amyloid-positron emission tomography (PET) as part of research studies and frequently wish to know their amyloid status; however, the disclosure of a positive amyloid-PET result might have psychological risks.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the psychological outcomes of the amyloid-PET result disclosure in individuals with SCD+ and explore which variables are associated with a safer disclosure in individuals who are amyloid positive.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This prospective, multicenter study was conducted as part of The Amyloid Imaging to Prevent Alzheimer Disease Diagnostic and Patient Management Study (AMYPAD-DPMS) (recruitment period: from April 2018 to October 2020). The setting was 5 European memory clinics, and participants included patients with SCD+ who underwent amyloid-PET. Statistical analysis was performed from July to October 2022.

EXPOSURES

Disclosure of amyloid-PET result.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Psychological outcomes were defined as (1) disclosure related distress, assessed using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R; scores of at least 33 indicate probable presence of posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD]); and (2) anxiety and depression, assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS; scores of at least 15 indicate probable presence of severe mood disorder symptoms).

RESULTS

After disclosure, 27 patients with amyloid-positive SCD+ (median [IQR] age, 70 [66-74] years; gender: 14 men [52%]; median [IQR] education: 15 [13 to 17] years, median [IQR] Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE] score, 29 [28 to 30]) had higher median (IQR) IES-R total score (10 [2 to 14] vs 0 [0 to 2]; P < .001), IES-R avoidance (0.00 [0.00 to 0.69] vs 0.00 [0.00 to 0.00]; P < .001), IES-R intrusions (0.50 [0.13 to 0.75] vs 0.00 [0.00 to 0.25]; P < .001), and IES-R hyperarousal (0.33 [0.00 to 0.67] vs 0.00 [0.00 to 0.00]; P < .001) scores than the 78 patients who were amyloid-negative (median [IQR], age, 67 [64 to 74] years, 45 men [58%], median [IQR] education: 15 [12 to 17] years, median [IQR] MMSE score: 29 [28 to 30]). There were no observed differences between amyloid-positive and amyloid-negative patients in the median (IQR) HADS Anxiety (-1.0 [-3.0 to 1.8] vs -2.0 [-4.8 to 1.0]; P = .06) and Depression (-1.0 [-2.0 to 0.0] vs -1.0 [-3.0 to 0.0]; P = .46) deltas (score after disclosure - scores at baseline). In patients with amyloid-positive SCD+, despite the small sample size, higher education was associated with lower disclosure-related distress (ρ = -0.43; P = .02) whereas the presence of study partner was associated with higher disclosure-related distress (W = 7.5; P = .03). No participants with amyloid-positive SCD+ showed probable presence of PTSD or severe anxiety or depression symptoms at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

The disclosure of a positive amyloid-PET result to patients with SCD+ was associated with a bigger psychological change, yet such change did not reach the threshold for clinical concern.

Moving beyond disclosure: Stages of care in preclinical Alzheimer's disease biomarker testing

Alzheimer's disease (AD) begins with an asymptomatic "preclinical" phase, in which abnormal biomarkers indicate risk for developing cognitive impairment. Biomarker information is increasingly being disclosed in research settings, and is moving toward clinical settings with the development of cheaper and non-invasive testing. Limited research has focused on the safety and psychological effects of disclosing biomarker results to cognitively unimpaired adults. However, less is known about how to ensure equitable access and robust counseling for decision-making before testing, and how to effectively provide long-term follow-up and risk management after testing. Using the framework of Huntington's disease, which is based on extensive experience with disclosing and managing risk for a progressive neurodegenerative condition, this article proposes a conceptual model of pre-disclosure, disclosure, and post-disclosure phases for AD biomarker testing. Addressing research questions in each phase will facilitate the transition of biomarker testing into clinical practice.

What Influences the Willingness of Blacks and African Americans to Enroll in Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease Biomarker Research? A Qualitative Vignette Analysis

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's disease (AD) begins with an asymptomatic "preclinical" phase, in which abnormal biomarkers indicate risk for developing cognitive impairment. Research is increasingly focused on validating biomarkers to improve reliable diagnosis and timely clinical treatment of AD. Most preclinical biomarker research lacks adequate representation of Black/African American and other racially and ethnically minoritized individuals, limiting the applicability of data to these groups. This may exacerbate existing disparities by hindering diagnosis and treatment among racially and ethnically minoritized individuals.

OBJECTIVE

Understand the factors influencing willingness of Blacks/African Americans to participate in AD biomarker research and identify opportunities to improve enrollment.

METHODS

We enrolled Blacks/African Americans (N = 145) between 46-85 years of age who had previously participated in AD research. Participants gave open-ended responses to a vignette describing a hypothetical biomarker research study. Using qualitative content analysis, we identified themes that motivated and discouraged enrollment in AD biomarker research.

RESULTS

Participant responses were categorized into several themes. Themes motivating participation included a desire to know their biomarker results and to support research. Major themes discouraging participation included concerns about potential negative psychological outcomes to learning one's increased risk for AD, doubt about the usefulness of testing, and worry about the potential physical harms of testing.

CONCLUSION

Understanding themes motivating and discouraging AD preclinical biomarker research participation may inform research material development, approach to community engagement, and/or trial design to increase enrollment of Blacks/African Americans.

Family members' perspectives on learning cognitively unimpaired older adults' amyloid-β PET scan results

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Disclosure of Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk information to cognitively unimpaired older adults may become more common if preclinical AD is shown to be identifiable and amenable to treatment. Little, however, is known about how families will react to this information.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Semi-structured telephonic interviews.

PARTICIPANTS

Seventy study partners (mean age = 68 [±11]; 50% female; 70% spouses/significant others; 18% children, siblings; 12% friends) of cognitively unimpaired adults who learned a personalized AD dementia risk estimate and an amyloid-β PET scan result through their participation in preclinical AD research.

MEASUREMENT

Interviewees were asked about their desire for information regarding their family member's AD dementia risk, baseline expectations of risk, understanding of amyloid-β PET scan results, and the impact of AD dementia risk information on emotions, health behaviors, and future plans, as well as on perceptions of their family member's or friend's memory.

RESULTS

Interviewees generally understood the AD dementia risk information (83%) and considered it valuable (75%). Risk information perceived as favorable elicited feelings of happiness and relief; unfavorable information elicited disappointment, as well as increased awareness of the participants' memory and monitoring for incipient changes in cognition. While noting that AD dementia risk information was not medically actionable at this time due to the lack of disease-modifying therapies, some interviewees described changes to their family members' and their own health behaviors and future plans.

CONCLUSION

Guidelines for the disclosure of AD dementia risk estimates and biomarker results to cognitively unimpaired adults should account for the needs and interests of individuals and their family members, who may step into a pre-caregiver role.

Short-term Psychological Outcomes of Disclosing Amyloid Imaging Results to Research Participants Who Do Not Have Cognitive Impairment

Importance

The goal of preclinical Alzheimer disease (AD) clinical trials is to move diagnosis and treatment to presymptomatic stages, which will require biomarker testing and disclosure.

Objective

To assess the short-term psychological outcomes of disclosing amyloid positron emission tomography results to older adults who did not have cognitive impairment.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This observational study included participants who were screening for a multisite randomized clinical trial that began on February 28, 2014, and is anticipated to be completed in 2022. Participants aged 65 to 85 years who had no known cognitive impairments underwent an amyloid positron emission tomography scan and learned their result from an investigator who used a protocol-specified process that included prescan education and psychological assessments. This report compares participants with elevated amyloid levels with at least 1 available outcome measure with participants who did not have elevated amyloid levels who enrolled in an observational cohort study and received further evaluations. Data were collected from April 2014 to December 2017 and analyzed from March 2019 to October 2019.

Exposures

A personal biomarker result described as either an elevated or not elevated amyloid level.

Main Outcomes and Measures

To assess the immediate and short-term psychological outcome of disclosure, the following validated measures were used: the Geriatric Depression Scale, the state items from the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale, as well as the Concerns About AD Scale and the Future Time Perspective Scale to assess changes in participants' perceived risk for AD and perceived remaining life span, respectively.

Results

A total of 1167 participants with elevated amyloid levels and 538 participants with not elevated amyloid levels were included. Participants had a mean (SD) age of 71.5 (4.7) years, 1025 (60.1%) were women, and most were white (1611 [94.5%]) and non-Latino (1638 [96.1%]). Compared with participants who learned that they had a not elevated amyloid result, individuals who learned of an elevated amyloid result were no more likely to experience short-term increases in depression (mean [SD] change in the Geriatric Depression Scale score, 0.02 [1.3] vs 0.04 [1.3]; P = .90), anxiety (mean [SD] change in State-Trait Anxiety Inventory score, -0.02 [3.2] vs -0.15 [3.0]; P = .65), or suicidality (mean [SD] change in the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale score, 0.0 [0.4] vs -0.01 [0.5]; P = .67). Participants with elevated amyloid levels had increased Concern About AD scores (raw change in scores: elevated amyloid group, 0.8 [3.9]; not elevated amyloid group, -0.4 [3.8]; P < .001). Participants with not elevated amyloid levels experienced a slight increase in Future Time Perspective score(mean [SD] score, 1.15 [7.4] points; P < .001); there was no change in time perspective among those receiving an elevated amyloid result (mean [SD] score, 0.33 [7.8] points).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this observational preclinical AD study, participants who learned they had elevated amyloid levels did not experience short-term negative psychological sequelae compared with persons who learned they did not have elevated amyloid levels.

Biomarker-Based Risk Prediction of Alzheimer’s Disease Dementia in Mild Cognitive Impairment: Psychosocial, Ethical, and Legal Aspects

Background: Today, a growing number of individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) wish to assess their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia. The expectations as well as the effects on quality of life (QoL) in MCI patients and their close others through biomarker-based dementia risk estimation are not well studied. Objective: The PreDADQoL project aims at providing empirical data on effects of such prediction on QoL and at developing an ethical and legal framework of biomarker-based dementia risk estimation in MCI. Methods: In the empirical study, 100 MCI-patients and their close others will be recruited from two sites (Germany and Spain). They receive standardized counselling on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker-based prediction of AD dementia and a risk disclosure based on their AD biomarker status. A mixed methods approach will be applied to assess outcomes. Results: The pilot-study yielded a specification of the research topics and newly developed questionnaires for the main assessment. Within this binational quantitative and qualitative study, data on attitudes and expectations toward AD risk prediction, QoL, risk communication, coping strategies, mental health, lifestyle changes, and healthcare resource utilization will be obtained. Together with the normative part of the project, an empirically informed ethical and legal framework for biomarker-based dementia risk estimation will be developed. Conclusion: The empirical research of the PreDADQoL study together with the ethical and legal considerations and implications will help to improve the process of counselling and risk disclosure and thereby positively affect QoL and health of MCI-patients and their close others in the context of biomarker-based dementia risk estimation.

Crosstalk of long non-coding RNAs and EMT: Searching the missing pieces of an incomplete puzzle for lung cancer therapy

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer is considered to be the first place among the cancer-related deaths worldwide and demands novel strategies in the treatment of this life-threatening disorder. The aim of this review is to explore regulation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION

LncRNAs can be considered as potential factors for targeting in cancer therapy, since they regulate a bunch of biological processes, e.g. cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. The abnormal expression of lncRNAs occurs in different cancer cells. On the other hand, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical mechanism participating in migration and metastasis of cancer cells.

METHOD

Different databases including Googlescholar, Pubmed and Sciencedirect were used for collecting articles using keywords such as "LncRNA", "EMT", and "Lung cancer".

RESULT

There are tumor-suppressing lncRNAs that can suppress EMT and metastasis of lung cancer cells. Expression of such lncRNAs undergoes down-regulation in lung cancer progression and restoring their expression is of importance in suppressing lung cancer migration. There are tumor-promoting lncRNAs triggering EMT in lung cancer and enhancing their migration.

CONCLUSION

LncRNAs are potential regulators of EMT in lung cancer, and targeting them, both pharmacologically and genetically, can be of importance in controlling migration of lung cancer cells.

Is Reluctance to Share Alzheimer's Disease Biomarker Status with a Study Partner a Barrier to Preclinical Trial Recruitment?

BACKGROUND

Preclinical Alzheimer's disease clinical trials test candidate treatments in individuals with biomarker evidence but no cognitive impairment. Participants are required to co-enroll with a knowledgeable study partner, to whom biomarker information is disclosed.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated whether reluctance to share biomarker results is associated with viewing the study partner requirement as a barrier to preclinical trial enrollment.

DESIGN

We developed a nine-item assessment on views toward the study partner requirement and performed in-person interviews based on a hypothetical clinical trial requiring biomarker testing and disclosure.

SETTING

We conducted interviews on campus at the University of California, Irvine.

PARTICIPANTS

Two hundred cognitively unimpaired older adults recruited from the University of California, Irvine Consent-to-Contact Registry participated in the study.

MEASUREMENTS

We used logistic regression models, adjusting for potential confounders, to examine potential associations with viewing the study partner requirement as a barrier to preclinical trial enrollment.

RESULTS

Eighteen percent of participants reported strong agreement that the study partner requirement was a barrier to enrollment. Ten participants (5%) agreed at any level that they would be reluctant to share their biomarker result with a study partner. The estimated odds of viewing the study partner requirement as a barrier to enrollment were 26 times higher for these participants (OR=26.3, 95% CI 4.0, 172.3), compared to those who strongly disagreed that they would be reluctant to share their biomarker result. Overall, participants more frequently agreed with positive statements than negative statements about the study partner requirement, including 76% indicating they would want their study partner with them when they learned biomarker results.

CONCLUSIONS

This is one of the first studies to explore how potential preclinical Alzheimer's disease trial participants feel about sharing their personal biomarker information with a study partner. Most participants viewed the study partner as an asset to trial enrollment, including having a partner present during biomarker disclosure.