Vascular factors predict rate of progression in Alzheimer disease

BACKGROUND

While there is considerable epidemiologic evidence that cardiovascular risk factors increase risk of incident Alzheimer disease (AD), few studies have examined their effect on progression after an established AD diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effect of vascular factors, and potential age modification, on rate of progression in a longitudinal study of incident dementia.

METHODS

A total of 135 individuals with incident AD, identified in a population-based sample of elderly persons in Cache County, UT, were followed with in-home visits for a mean of 3.0 years (range: 0.8 to 9.5) and 2.1 follow-up visits (range: 1 to 5). The Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) Scale and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were administered at each visit. Baseline vascular factors were determined by interview and physical examination. Generalized least-squares random-effects regression was performed with CDR Sum of Boxes (CDR-Sum) or MMSE as the outcome, and vascular index or individual vascular factors as independent variables.

RESULTS

Atrial fibrillation, systolic hypertension, and angina were associated with more rapid decline on both the CDR-Sum and MMSE, while history of coronary artery bypass graft surgery, diabetes, and antihypertensive medications were associated with a slower rate of decline. There was an age interaction such that systolic hypertension, angina, and myocardial infarction were associated with greater decline with increasing baseline age.

CONCLUSION

Atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and angina were associated with a greater rate of decline and may represent modifiable risk factors for secondary prevention in Alzheimer disease. The attenuated decline for diabetes and coronary artery bypass graft surgery may be due to selective survival. Some of these effects appear to vary with age.

Antioxidant intake and cognitive function of elderly men and women: the Cache County Study

OBJECTIVE

We prospectively examined associations between intakes of antioxidants (vitamins C, vitamin E, and carotene) and cognitive function and decline among elderly men and women of the Cache County Study on Memory and Aging in Utah.

PARTICIPANTS AND DESIGN

In 1995, 3831 residents 65 years of age or older completed a baseline survey that included a food frequency questionnaire and cognitive assessment. Cognitive function was assessed using an adapted version of the Modified Mini-Mental State examination (3MS) at baseline and at three subsequent follow-up interviews spanning approximately 7 years. Multivariable-mixed models were used to estimate antioxidant nutrient effects on average 3MS score over time.

RESULTS

Increasing quartiles of vitamin C intake alone and combined with vitamin E were associated with higher baseline average 3MS scores (p-trend = 0.013 and 0.02 respectively); this association appeared stronger for food sources compared to supplement or food and supplement sources combined. Study participants with lower levels of intake of vitamin C, vitamin E and carotene had a greater acceleration of the rate of 3MS decline over time compared to those with higher levels of intake.

CONCLUSION

High antioxidant intake from food and supplement sources of vitamin C, vitamin E, and carotene may delay cognitive decline in the elderly.

Effects of combining propofol and alfentanil on ventilation, analgesia, sedation, and emesis in human volunteers

BACKGROUND

Propofol and alfentanil frequently are administered together for intravenous sedation. This study investigated pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions between propofol and alfentanil, at sedative concentrations, with specific regard to effects on ventilation, analgesia, sedation, and nausea.

METHODS

Ten male volunteers underwent steady-state infusions on 3 separate days consisting of propofol alone, alfentanil alone, or a combination of the two. Target plasma concentrations for propofol were 150, 300, and 600 ng/ml for 1 h at each concentration; for alfentanil it was 40 ng/ml for 3 h. Assessment included serial measurements of (1) ventilatory function (minute ventilation, carbon dioxide production, end-tidal carbon dioxide, ventilatory response to rebreathing 7% CO2); (2) analgesia (subjective pain report in response to graded finger shock and evoked potential amplitude); (3) sedation (subjective rating, observer scores, and digit symbol substitution test); (4) nausea (visual analog scale, 0-100 mm).

RESULTS

During combination treatment, propofol plasma concentration was 22% greater than during propofol alone using replicate infusion schemes (P < 0.009). End-tidal carbon dioxide was unchanged by propofol, and increased equally by alfentanil and alfentanil/propofol combined (delta end-tidal carbon dioxide 7.5 and 6.2 mmHg, respectively). Analgesia with propofol/alfentanil combined was greater than with alfentanil alone. (Pain report decreased 50% by PA vs. 28% for alfentanil, P < 0.05). Sedation was greater with propofol/alfentanil combined than with alfentanil or propofol alone (digit symbol substitution test 30 for propofol/alfentanil combined vs. 57 for alfentanil, and 46 for propofol, P < 0.05). Nausea occurred in 50% of subjects during alfentanil, but in none during propofol/alfentanil combination treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of propofol and alfentanil produced greater sedation and analgesia than that with either drug alone. Propofol offset the emetic effects of alfentanil. Equivalent depression of the carbon dioxide response curve, and elevation of end-tidal carbon dioxide occurred with propofol/alfentanil combined and alfentanil.