bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Senile Dementia of Extreme Aging: A Common Disorder of Centenarians
Authors: Powell Artiss L.
Published: July 2007

To study dementia in the extremely aged, I evaluated 40 centenarians with a mean age of 101.6 years (range: 100–107). The group completed 5.8 years of education, on average. Bradyphrenia and bradykinesia were common and most had impaired awareness and concern. The Folstein Mini-Mental State Exam and Washington University''s Clinical Dementia Rating Scale indicated moderately advanced dementia in more than half; 4 had a clinical pattern that suggested senile dementia of the Alzheimer''s type. A common pattern of dementia emerged consisting of preserved awareness of the environment, normal participation in conversations, mild bradyphrenia and bradykinesia with normal latency to respond to questions and memory impairment with diminished ability to learn new information. They had a constricted universe with limited awareness of events outside their personal sphere; they repeated themes and topics endlessly. This study suggests senile dementia is common in centenarians.
Different Rates of Neuronal Degeneration: An Exquisite Variation of the 'Cascade' Hypothesis
Authors: Dani S.U. , Pittella J.E.H. , Hori A. , Bergmann B. , Stan A.C. , Walter G.F.
Published: July 2007

This morphometric, quantitative and correlative multivariate study of the hippocampal formation in human brains from two distinct normal aging populations provides an additional support to the notion that neuritic plaques (NP) are an earlier stage of the pathological process underlying neurofibrillary tangle (NFT) formation. It is shown that the rate of transformation of NP-affected neurons into NFT-bearing neurons may vary remarkably between distinct populations. In addition, it is put forward that different rates of neuronal degeneration may be one of the explanations for the existence of conflicting hypotheses regarding pathogenesis of NP and NFT and the relationships of these important histological markers to psychical deterioration.
Quantitative EEG in Elderly Patients with Alzheimer's Disease and Healthy Controls
Authors: Elmståhl Sölve , Rosén Ingmar , Gullberg Bo
Published: July 2007

Multichannel (19) EEG were analyzed in 23 female patients with rather advanced late-onset Alzheimer''s disease (AD) and compared with 56 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects. The quantified EEG was correlated with psychometric and clinical variables. The control subjects showed increasing theta activity with age but the EEG changes did not correlate significantly with psychometric features. The AD patients showed highly significant increases in delta and theta activity and decreases in beta activity compared with controls. The EEG changes were most marked over posterior regions of the brain. The individual EEG variables showed a high degree of intercorrelation and an almost complete discrimination between patients and controls was accomplished by taking only the posterior delta activity into account. In a subgroup of 10 patients, in which a Mini Mental test score could be obtained, the score correlated with the relative theta power.
Vascular Dementia: A Radical Redefinition
Authors: Hachinski Vladimir
Published: July 2007

‘Vascular dementia’ may be the leading cause of cognitive impairment in the world, yet there is little agreement as to what this concept encompasses or how it is defined. A critical review reaches the conclusion that the concept of ‘vascular dementia’ has become obsolete. ‘Vascular’ is too generic, and fails to identify specific etiologies which may be subject to current and future preventive measures. ''Dementia'' identifies patients too late to do much about their problem. An alternate approach is suggested. Identify patients across the whole spectrum of vascular cognitive impairment, from high risk with no deficit (''brain-at-risk stage'') to full-blown dementia. Describe the cognitive impairment in terms of standardized neuropsychological measures, and relate the dementia to the specific vascular cause, so that the appropriate preventive measures can be implemented.
How Does Cerebrovascular Disease Cause Dementia?
Authors: O'Brien Michael D.
Published: July 2007

There are several factors that might be important in the development of dementia due to cerebrovascular disease. These include the volume of infarcted brain, the bilaterality and symmetry of lesions, the strategic location of small lesions, the number of lesions, the extent and density of white matter lesions and the coexistence of other pathologies, particularly Alzheimer''s disease. No one factor is solely related to dementia and in most patients several of these factors combine to exceed the critical threshold for normal cognition. It is the extent of the disease which determines the development of dementia, rather than its etiology. Conversely, the possibility of treatment depends more on the etiology of the vascular disease than on the extent.
Risk Factors for Vascular Dementia: A Review
Authors: Skoog Ingmar
Published: July 2007

In recent years, interest in vascular causes of dementia has increased and it has been proposed that vascular dementia (VAD) may be more common than previously supposed. This may have important implications, because VAD at present may be more amenable to prevention and treatment than Alzheimer''s disease (AD). Several vascular factors have been related to cognitive decline and dementia in the elderly, including stroke and white matter disease. However, while numerous case-control studies have been concerned with the risk factors for AD, studies on risk factors for VADs are rare. The problems inherent in the diagnostic criteria make it difficult to interpret the results from the few studies that have been performed. Generally, risk factors for multi-infarct dementia are supposed to be the same as those for stroke, and include hypertension, diabetes mellitus, advanced age, male sex, smoking and cardiac diseases. White matter dementia has mainly been related to hypertension. Recent research suggests that vascular factors may also be important in AD, especially in the late-onset type. In stroke patients, dementia has been associated with higher age, less formal education, cerebral atrophy, left-sided or bilateral infarcts, volume of macroscopic infarcts, bilateral symptoms, previous stroke and white matter lesions. The pathogenetic mechanism through which these factors cause dementia is still not clear. Furthermore, it is not known if risk factors for VAD differ from those found in stroke patients. There is now an urgent need for further research on risk factors for VAD and on factors related to dementia in subjects with cerebrovascular disorders.
White Matter Changes: Neurobehavioral Manifestations of Binswanger's Disease and Clinical Correlates in Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Bennett David A. , Gilley David W. , Lee Sarha , Cochran Elizabeth J.
Published: July 2007

Although white matter lesions (WMLs) are among the most common structural neuroimaging changes found on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of older persons with dementia, their presence should not be misconstrued as proof that vascular disease is causing or contributing to the dementia. We report the results of several studies examining the neurobehavioral manifestations of persons meeting explicit operational criteria for Binswanger''s disease (BD) and the clinical correlates of white matter changes in persons with autopsy-proven Alzheimer''s disease (AD). The findings suggest that relative to persons with AD of comparable dementia severity, persons with BD have less profound impairments in episodic memory, more depressive symptomatology and a more variable rate of cognitive decline; among persons with AD, some WMLs are associated with incontinence and gait disturbance, but they do not appear to contribute to dementia severity.
Structural and Vasoactive Factors Influencing Intracerebral Arterioles in Cases of Vascular Dementia and Other Cerebrovascular Disease: A Review
Authors: Zhang Wei Wei , Badonic Tichomir , Höög Anders , Jiang Ming Hui , Ma Kuo Chun , Nie Jing Xiao , Olsson Yngve , Sourander Patrick
Published: July 2007

The condition of the brain parenchyma in cases of vascular dementia and other cerebrovascular conditions may be influenced by structural and functional changes of the terminal intracerebral blood vessels. Arterioles can develop obliterative lesions, capillaries and postcapillary venules can be altered, causing edema. The first part of this review is focused on expression of different types of collagens and other components of the extracellular matrix in intracerebral arterioles. The changes present in hereditary multi-infarct disease of the brain are compared with those occurring in the Binswanger type of encephalopathy and cases presenting hyalinosis of intracerebral vessels. Deposition of collagens in degenerated parts of the media and adventitia of the arterioles may contribute to impaired blood flow regulation in the brain parenchyma. Fibrillary collagens and basal laminae are probably the most important components of the hyaline material in vessels showing ‘hyalinosis’. The second part of our review concerns the possibility that the vasoactive peptide, endothelin-1, released from reactive astrocytes, can influence the function of intracerebral arterioles. Normal astrocytes do not show endothelin-1-like immunoreactivity, but in cases of infarcts, lacunes, hereditary multi-infarct disease, Binswanger''s encephalopathy and Alzheimer''s disease numerous reactive astrocytes express such immunoreactivity. If endothelin-1 is produced and released from reactive astrocytes it may reach intracerebral arterioles and induce long-lasting vasoconstriction. Endothelin-1 is the most powerful vasoconstrictor peptide known to date and has mitogenic capacity. It may promote cellular mechanisms leading to astrocytic gliosis and neovascularization.
The Neurochemistry of Vascular Dementia
Authors: Gottfries C.G. , Blennow K. , Karlsson I. , Wallin A.
Published: July 2007

Vascular dementia (VAD) is cognitive impairment caused by changes in the blood circulation of the brain. It is not synonymous with multi-infarct dementia. The latter is a subgroup of VAD. Neurochemical investigations of noninfarcted brain tissue from patients with VAD show general changes in VAD brains. The serotonin metabolism is severely reduced and so is the activity of choline acetyltransferase. Monamine oxidase B is significantly increased in the white matter. A severe decrease in myelin components indicates white matter disturbances of such a degree that they must be considered to be of pathogenetic importance. The levels of some neuropeptides in the hypothalamus are increased. This is a finding which is in agreement with clinical findings of a high activity in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in patients with VAD. This high activity is possibly due to a loss of serotonergic inhibitory tone on the hypothalamus in VAD brains.
Cerebral Ischemia Induces Alterations in Tau and Ubiquitin Proteins
Authors: Dewar D. , Graham D.I. , Teasdale G.M. , McCulloch J.
Published: July 2007

Excessive stimulation of glutamate receptors and elevation of intracellular calcium levels initiate the neurodegenerative process resulting from cerebral ischemia. However, the subsequent cascade of molecular changes which are of pathogenic significance is less well understood. Breakdown of the cytoskeleton may be involved in the progression from compromise of neuronal viability to irreversible damage. Alteration of the microtubule-associated protein tau, as reflected by increased Alz-50 immunoreactivity, was induced by permanent focal cerebral ischemia in vivo but only in a proportion of neurones. Alz-50 immunoreactive neurones did not exhibit the characteristics of irreversible ischemic cell damage. Increased immunoreactivity to the stress response protein ubiquitin was also induced by ischemia in a proportion of neurones. Both proteins are components of neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer''s disease. Alterations of the microtubule-associated protein tau may be a feature of the early stages of the ischemia-induced degeneration and the ubiquitin response may be an attempt by compromised neurones to deal with the presence of abnormal proteins.
Vascular Subcortical Dementias: Clinical Aspects
Authors: Cummings Jeffrey L.
Published: July 2007

Vascular dementia (VAD) is common, and small vessel disease is one of the most frequent etiologies of the disorder. Lacunar state and Binswanger''s disease are the two types of VAD associated with small vessel disease. Lacunar state and Binswanger''s disease produce a dementia syndrome with characteristics of subcortical dementia including slowing of information processing, impaired memory, and poor sustained attention. Executive dysfunction includes poor word list generation and verbal fluency (design generation), impaired motor programming with perseveration and impersistence, and difficulty with set shifting. Memory loss in subcortical VAD is characterized by poor retrieval and intact recognition. Apathy is ubiquitous in VAD and depression and psychosis are common. Parkinsonism with prominent gait disturbances in conjunction with pyramidal tract signs, dysarthria, pseudobulbar affect, and incontinence are frequent motor manifestations of VAD with small vessel disease. The lesions of subcortical VAD affect the structures – caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, thalamus – and connecting fibers of frontal-subcortical circuits and produce a clinical syndrome similar to that seen in other subcortical diseases.
The Clinical Diagnosis of Vascular Dementia
Authors: Wallin Anders , Blennow Kaj
Published: July 2007

The question was addressed whether the three vascular dementia (VAD) subtypes, multi-infarct dementia (MID), strategic-infarct dementia (SID), and subcortical white matter dementia (SWMD) fulfil the basic criteria for a disease: does a distinct pattern of clinical features match a distinct pathological picture for the various VAD subtypes? No obvious correspondence between structural pathological changes and symptoms or signs was found in the MID and SID subtypes. Therefore, the disease status of these VAD subtypes can be questioned. The VAD subtype SWMD, however, appeared to fulfil the basic criteria for a disease, as the subcortical white matter changes corresponded to the subcortical symptom pattern, with mental slowness, extrapyramidal and bilateral pyramidal deficits.
The ICD-10 Criteria for Vascular Dementia
Authors: Wetterling T. , Kanitz R.D. , Borgis K.J.
Published: July 2007

The World Health Organization recently introduced the new ICD-10. Chapter V (‘Mental and behavioural disorders including disorders of psychological development’) contains operationalized diagnostic guidelines for the classification of psychiatric disorders, i.e. the term vascular dementia is clearly defined. Furthermore, the criteria of the ICD-10 allow a differentiation of vascular dementia into subtypes (vascular dementia of acute onset, multi-infarct dementia, subcortical vascular dementia, and mixed or unspecified types). The clinical feasibility of the ICD-10 criteria for subtypes of vascular dementia is proven in an investigation of 72 demented patients (75.0 ± 8.3 years) showing vascular lesions of the computed tomography scan. Only 18 cases (25.0%) fulfill the ICD-10 criteria for vascular dementia. 61.1% of the cases could be sufficiently classified into subtypes. These results suggest that the ICD-10 criteria for vascular dementia are rather selective.
Brain Imaging and Vascular Dementia
Authors: Wahlund Lars-Olof
Published: July 2007

Computed X-ray tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are two imaging modalities widely used in the evaluation of patients with dementia disorders. The role of the methods in relation to vascular dementia is discussed as well as their physical and clinical differences. Moreover, the concept of leukoaraiosis or white matter hyperintensities in relation to normal aging and dementia is also discussed. Finally, the relationship between white matter hyperintensities and the cognitive decline in patients with vascular dementia is discussed.
Are Gait Disturbances and White Matter Degeneration Early Indicators of Vascular Dementia?
Authors: Hennerici Michael G. , Oster Manfred , Cohen Simon , Schwartz Andreas , Motsch Lillian , Daffertshofer Michael
Published: July 2007

The objective of this study was to correlate clinical and brain imaging findings with walking inabilities in patients with possible vascular dementia. For 24 patients with suspected initial vascular dementia according to DSM-III-R, structured neurological, neuropsychological and neuroimaging (magnetic resonance tomography) examinations were evaluated alongside computerized gait analysis. All patients revealed an increased variability of gait lines of various degrees: mild (11%), moderate (32%) and severe (57%). Lateralization of gait patterns was present in 68% and bipedal instabilities of posture in 54%. These findings were significantly correlated with frontal periventricular white matter lesions (WMLs), which probably affect the thalamo-cortico-mediocapsular pathways. The association of gait abnormalities with WMLs of the frontocentral subcortical and periventricular territories in patients with possible vascular dementing illnesses may be used as an early indicator of the disease for follow-up and treatment trials. However, since the degree of gait impairment varies considerably relative to the common mild intellectual limitations, these structural lesions are unlikely to be directly related to the dementing process.
Neuropsychological Deficits in Vascular Dementia in Relation to Alzheimer's Disease: Reviewing Evidence for Functional Similarity or Divergence
Authors: Almkvist Ove
Published: July 2007

The hypothesis that vascular dementia (VAD) may be associated with a specific pattern of neuropsychological dysfunction as compared to Alzheimer''s disease (AD) is reviewed. The empirical findings were evaluated with regard to methodology, most importantly the comparability between groups regarding demographic variables and severity of dementia. They were also classified according to the cognitive and sensory-motor functions affected. No consistent differences were found between VAD and AD patients in neuropsychological performance testing general cognitive functioning, syntax, verbal comprehension, visuospatial tasks, and primary as well as semantic memory, indicating a functional similarity between VAD and AD. However, inferior performance was found for VAD in executive functioning, verbal fluency, attention, and motor performance. Superior performance for VAD was found in naming and with regard to intrusion errors. The findings on episodic memory were inconclusive. These results should be considered in light of possible selection bias due to the fact that all studies used a hospital-based sample of subjects and not subjects from the community. Bias may also arise from the variations in lesion site, size, number, and timing between different VAD groups. Third, the risk of confounding errors due to a lack of comparability between etiological groups in terms of demographic variables as well as cognitive decline cannot be excluded. Future studies should take into account variation in the severity of cognitive decline, variation regarding lesion characteristics, etiological factors, and subtypes of VAD in order to increase our knowledge about the functional features of VAD.
Clinical Aspects of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy
Authors: Haan J. , Maat-Schieman M.L.C. , Roos R.A.C.
Published: July 2007

Amyloid depositions mainly consist of proteins with a fibrillary structure. A large number of different proteins have amyloidogenic properties. Amyloids are now categorized on the basis of their chemical structure, but the clinical classification of localized and systemic amyloid is still useful. The proteins that can be found in cerebral amyloid angiopathy are cystatin C, β/A4 and transthyretin. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy can remain symptom free, but can also give a broad spectrum of clinical and radiological manifestations, including (vascular) dementia, cerebellar and cerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and leukoencephalopathy. It is debated whether amyloid angiopathy plays a causative role in Alzheimer''s disease, but it is strongly correlated with the presence of cerebral plaques. In this review, the clinical spectrum of cerebral amyloid angiopathy will be described, based on retrospective studies from the literature. Hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis (Dutch) will be presented as a ''prospective'' model to study the clinical effects of amyloid angiopathy.
Senile Dementia of Lewy Body Type and Alzheimer Type Are Biochemically Distinct in Terms of Paired Helical Filaments and Hyperphosphorylated Tau Protein (Part 1 of 2)
Authors: Harrington C.R. , Perry R.H. , Perry E.K. , Hurt J. , McKeith I.G. , Roth M. , Wischik C.M.
Published: July 2007

We have used biochemical assays to examine cingulate and occipital cortices from age-matched cases of Alzheimer's disease (AD; n = 12), senile dementia of the Lewy body type (SDLT; n = 13), Parkinson's disease (PD; 5 non-demented cases and 7 cognitively impaired cases) and controls (n = 11) for paired helical filaments (PHFs), phosphorylated and normal tau protein and Β/A4-protein. Whereas cingulate cortex is characterised by relatively high densities of cortical Lewy bodies in the SDLT cases and lower numbers in PD, these inclusion bodies were absent in the cingulate cortex from AD and control cases. Protease-resistant PHFs and hyperphosphorylated tau protein were found in AD and, at low levels, in a minority of SDLT cases. Qualitatively, both of these preparations were indistinguishable in SDLT from those found in AD but levels of both parameters in SDLT were less than 5% of those in AD. SDLT, PD and control groups did not differ from each other in terms of the quantity of protease-resistant PHFs or the level of hyperphosphorylated tau. Furthermore, PHF accumulation did not distinguish between PD cases with or without dementia. The levels of normal tau protein did not differ between the four groups. Β/A4 protein levels did not distinguish between PD and control groups, between AD and SDLT groups, or between SDLT and control groups for either cingulate or occipital cortices. Thus extensive accumulation of PHFs in either neurofibrillary tangles or dystrophic neurites is not a feature of either SDLT or PD. Our findings provide molecular support for the neuropathological and clinical separation of SDLT as a form of dementia that is distinct from AD.
The Lipofuscin Content of Nerve Cells of the Inferior Olivary Nucleus in Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Drach Lutz M. , Bohl Jürgen , Goebel Hans-H.
Published: July 2007

Lipofuscin, the age pigment, is of interest in Alzheimer's disease because of its property to accumulate in neurons and because of the hypothesis that Alzheimer's dementia is a kind of premature ageing. The amount of intraneuronal lipofuscin in the inferior olivary nucleus of 20 brains from patients with histologically confirmed Alzheimer's disease according to the CERAD protocol and of 20 controls has been measured microfluorometrically. Patients and controls were matched for age. The amount of lipofuscin in the neurons of the inferior olivary nucleus did not differ significantly between the cases of Alzheimer's disease and the controls. The result is discussed taking the findings of previous authors into account. We conclude that there is no evidence that lipofuscin plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.
Apolipoprotein E ε4 Allele in Alzheimer's Disease and Vascular Dementia
Authors: Frisoni Giovanni B. , Calabresi Laura , Geroldi Cristina , Bianchetti Angelo , D'Acquarica Antonio L. , Govoni Stefano , Sirtori Cesare R. , Trabucchi Marco , Franceschini Guido
Published: July 2007

The frequency of the Ε4 allele of the apolipoprotein E (apoE) is increased in familial and sporadic late-onset Alzheimer's disease, but its prevalence in non-Alzheimer dementias in Caucasian populations is unknown. We found that the frequency of the apoE Ε4 allele was 0.45 in 93 Alzheimer's disease patients, 0.46 in 23 vascular dementia patients, 0.31 in 13 dementia of the frontal type patients, and 0.18 in 51 elderly controls. The association of apoE Ε4 allele is not unique to Alzheimer's disease, and its importance as a risk factor for the disease should be reconsidered.
A Pilot Study of Clonidine Plus Physostigmine in Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Bierer Linda , Aisen Paul S. , Davidson Michael , Ryan Theresa M. , Schmeidler James , Davis Kenneth L.
Published: July 2007

To assess the feasibility of one approach to combined cholinergic/noradrenergic treatment in Alzheimer's disease, ten patients were enrolled in a 2-week placebo-controlled study of oral physostigmine plus clonidine. The Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS) was used as the primary outcome measure. Neither physostigmine alone, nor the combination of physostigmine plus clonidine, was associated with a statistically significant improvement for the group. Three patients did show an improvement of at least 4 points on the total ADAS score with the drug combination. The implications of these results for treatment strategies are discussed.
Validation of the Full and Short Forms of the CAMDEX Interview for Diagnosing Dementia
Authors: Neri M. , Roth M. , Mountjoy C.Q. , Andermarcher E. , Rubichi S. , Spanó A. , Salvioli G. , Cipolli C.
Published: July 2007

The present study compares the sensitivity and specificity of the short and full forms of the Cambridge Examination for Mental Disorders of the Elderly (CAMDEX) interview in diagnosing dementia. We tested 73 subjects meeting DSM-HIR criteria for dementia and 61 matched controls. The short version was applied 3 months after the full one to guarantee a relative stability of the tested functions. Referred to an independent clinical rating made at the beginning of the study, the levels of sensitivity and specificity were not significantly different in the two forms and fully comparable with those of the original full English version. Moreover, the scores on analogous sections of the two versions were highly correlated in the demented and control groups. These findings support the hypothesis that the short form of the CAMDEX maintains the psychometric properties of the full one, and consequently can be used in diagnostic routines for a variety of clinical and research purposes.
Posttranslational Modifications of Tau in Paired Helical Filaments
Authors: Morishima Maho , Ihara Yasuo
Published: July 2007

Paired helical filaments (PHF) are fibrillar structures that accumulate in degenerating neurons of AD brain. We have purified their components, PHF-tau and PHF-smear, and analyzed them proteinchemically. PHF-tau is abnormally phosphorylated. Although the characteristic of this phosphorylation is similar to that of fetal tau, its extent is higher in PHF-tau. The additional phosphorylation in PHF-tau may cause its loss of microtubule assembly capacity. Our results on the phosphorylation sites suggested that fetal tau and presumably PHF-tau are in vivo substrates of proline-directed protein kinases. PHF-smear consisted largely of the carboxyl-terminal portion of tau and ubiquitin. The ubiquitin-targeted protein was identified as tau in PHF and the conjugation sites were localized to the microtubule-binding region. It is most likely that abnormally phosphorylated full-length tau (PHF-tau) accumulates as PHF, which is then gradually processed from its amino-terminus and followed by ubiquitination.
A Study of Regional Cerebral Blood Flow Using 99mTc-HMPAO-SPECT in Elderly Women with Senile Dementia of Alzheimer's Type
Authors: Elmståhl Sölve , Siennicki-Lantz Arkadiusz , Lilja Bo , Bjunö Lillemor
Published: July 2007

Thirteen women with senile dementia of Alzheimer''s type (SDAT) according to NINCDS-ADRDA and 21 age-matched control women, aged 75–96 years, were investigated with clinical examination, dementia rating scales and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using 99mTc-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (HM-PAO) as a tracer of regional cortical blood flow. The aim was to study whether typical SPECT findings of SDAT were seen also in the very old having the disease for a longer period. Neuropsychological assessment with vocabulary and spatial tests was performed in the control women, and the results were divided in three subgroups, normal, borderline and abnormal. Regional perfusion values, expressed as a ratio between cortical and cerebellar HM-PAO uptake, were lower in frontal, temporoparietal and occipital cortices in SDAT patients than in controls. The SDAT patients had the lowest uptake in the posterior temporoparietal region (0.67 ± 0.06) and the corresponding value in the controls (0.79 ± 0.05) differed significantly, p < 0.0001. The interhemispheric ratio between right and left posterior temporoparietal regions was 0.99 ± 0.05. Nine of the control women (43%) had pathological SPECT with hemispheric asymmetries in 6 cases and bilateral temporooccipital reductions in 3 women. The neuropsychological assessment matched the findings in 7 of these women. One of the control women was judged as pathological and 10 women as borderline according to the spatial and vocabulary tests. Four of the 10 women with borderline results had normal SPECT. The sensitivity of the assessment to detect abnormalities compared to SPECT was 78% if borderline and abnormal results were expressed as true-positive cases. The specificity was 67%. The results showed a high degree of pathological findings according to SPECT and neuropsychological assessment in otherwise healthy elderly women.
Cytogenetic Investigations from Lymphocyte Cultures of Patients with Probable Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Hügel A. , Mielke R.
Published: July 2007

Chromosome investigations were carried out on lymphocyte cultures of 21 patients with probable Alzheimer''s disease in comparison to an age-matched control group of 11 healthy subjects. Different cytogenetic parameters were analyzed: sister chromatid exchanges, polyploid mitoses, mitotic activity and secondary chromosomal aberrations such as gaps, breaks and exchanges. Only the average rate of sister chromatic exchanges was slightly decreased in patients (8.4 ± 1.7; control group: 10.4 ± 2.1). There were interindividual differences of values for each of the cytogenetic parameters analyzed, but these were not related to the onset, duration or severity of dementia.
A Case-Control Study of Alzheimer's Disease in Japan – Significance of Life-Styles
Authors: Kondo Kiyotaro , Niino Minehisa , Shido Koichi
Published: July 2007

A case-control study of Alzheimer''s disease was conducted in Japan; it involved 60 cases matched for sex and age with two resident controls each. Life-style was particularly highlighted in this study. Among many factors, 5 were accepted as significant risk factors: psychosocial inactivity, physical inactivity, head injury, loss of teeth and low education. A multiple logistic model was applied in order to evaluate synergism of major factors. Compared with those who have none of the factors, those who have all were 934.5 times more liable to develop Alzheimer''s disease. Risk factors are not only useful for etiological studies but they give clues to identify high-risk individuals, and by eliminating these factors, the studies may also be applicable in the primary and the secondary prevention of this tragic disease.
Language Impairment and Rate of Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Goldblum Marie-Claire , Tzortzis Catherine , Michot Jean-Luc , Panisset Michel , Boller François
Published: July 2007

There is growing evidence that AD consists of different subtypes, and that language is a pertinent factor to identify a subgroup with a fast rate of cognitive decline. We report the first results of a longitudinal study in which we compared two groups of patients with probable AD. The main result showed that a subgroup with stable MMSE scores during a 1-year follow-up period had an impairment in language domains which are usually preserved until an advanced stage of the disease. It is proposed that this group may correspond to a variety of AD who, in addition to symptoms of AD, present characteristics of primary progressive aphasia. In other respects, we underscore that the high loading in language-mediated tasks of the MMSE makes it a poor index to accurately measure the rate of cognitive decline.
Dementia in the Oldest-Old:Quantitative Analysis of 12 Cases from a Psychiatric Hospital
Authors: Giannakopoulos Panteleimon , Hof Patrick R. , Giannakopoulos Anne-Séverine , Buée-Scherrer Valérie , Surini Maria , Delacourte André , Bouras Constantin
Published: July 2007

To examine the neuropathological characteristics of senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT) in very old people, we performed a quantitative analysis of the distribution of neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques in the brains of 12 demented patients aged from 96 of 104 years. The hippocampal formation and the inferior temporal cortex displayed numerous neurofibrillary tangles in most cases, whereas the superior frontal cortex was relatively spared. The only statistically significant difference between demented and control cases was in the density of neurofibrillary tangles in the CA1 field of the hippocampus. High senile plaque densities were observed in the cerebral cortex and were correlated with the duration of SDAT. These results confirm the crucial role of the hippocampus in the neuropathological diagnosis of SDAT in oldest-old patients. Furthermore, they suggest that senile plaque formation may be a pathological hallmark of severe SDAT in this particular age group.
Geometric implications of the tibial wedge osteotomy for the treatment of cranial cruciate ligament disease in dogs
Authors: Smith B. A. , Black A. P. , Bailey C. J.
Published: July 2007

The tibial wedge osteotomy (TWO), a procedure that reduces the tibial plateau slope, has become an established surgical technique for the treatment of cranial cruciate ligament injuries in dogs, yet variation from the desired postoperative tibial plateau slope of 6° has been noted. The objectives of this study were to investigate the geometric implications of this procedure and to identify factors that affect the postoperative angles. The records of 35 consecutive cases that had a TWO performed were reviewed and comparisons were made between the alignment of the cortices and level of the osteotomy using duplicated tracings of a preoperative radiograph. The existing method for calculating the size of wedge to be removed was found to result in a postoperative slope greater than the expected 6°. Our results indicate that the desired postoperative angle is more likely to be achieved if the cranial cortices are aligned and the osteotomy is performed proximally.
Stiffness of modified Type 1a linear external skeletal fixators
Authors: Rochat M. C. , Bruce C. W. , Galloway D. S. , Payton M. E. , Reaugh H. F.
Published: July 2007

Modifications of a Type1a external skeletal fixator (ESF) frame were evaluated by alternately placing transfixation pins on opposite sides of the connecting rod (Type 1a-MOD) or by placing additional connecting rods on either of the two inside (Type 1a-INSIDE) or two outside (Type 1a-OUTSIDE) transfixation pins. The objective of this study was to evaluate the stiffness of these modifications in terms of axial compression (AC), cranial-caudal bending (CCB), and medial-lateral bending (MLB). We hypothesized that these designs would allow significant increase in unilateral frame stiffness, over Type 1a, without proportional increase in frame complexity or technical difficulty of application. All of the ESF frames were constructed using large IMEX SK™ clamps, 3.2 mm threaded fixation pins, 9.5 mm carbon fibre connecting rods and Delrin rods as bone models. Nine, eight pin frames of each design were constructed, and subjected to repetitive non-destructive loading forces (AC, CCB, MLB) using a materials testing machine. Frame construct stiffness for each force (AC, CCB, MLB) was derived from load-deformation curve analysis and displayed in N/mm. Data revealed the 1a-MOD and 1a-OUTSIDE constructs had significantly increased stiffness in CCB and AC as compared to the Type 1a constructs while all of the modified constructs were significantly stiffer in MLB than the Type 1a constructs.
Retrograde placement of a novel 3.5 mm titanium interlocking nail for supracondylar and diaphyseal femoral fractures in cats
Authors: Klein A. , Pink J. , Hidalgo A. , Moissonnier P. , Fayolle P. , Scotti S.
Published: July 2007

Twenty-four simple or comminuted supracondylar and diaphyseal femoral fractures in cats, which had been treated by retrograde insertion of a new 3.5 mm titanium interlocking nail (IN) from the intercondylar notch, were evaluated between June 2000 and October 2004 at the Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort. Patient data (species, breed, weight, and age), fracture characteristics, details of the surgery, post-operative complications and radiographic follow-up were recorded. The mean body weight was 3.75 kg and the cats ranged in age between four and 66 months (mean 29 months). The IN had a diameter of 3.5 mm and a length of 100, 109 or 119 mm, and were all fixed in a static position (two screws in seven cats, three screws in 10 cats and four screws in seven cats). Cerclage wires were used in seven cats and an autogenous bone graft was used in two cats. Screw or nail breakage were not recorded. Nineteen fractures healed without any complications, three cats died during the post-operative period from unknown causes, and two cats showed delayed bone healing. Twenty cats were considered to have an excellent limb function at one month. One cat with a sciatic injury was non-weight bearing for several months. Radiographic signs of degenerative joint disease of the stifle joint were not observed except in the cat with the sciatic nerve injury. The results of this study suggest that this new 3.5 mm titanium IN can be introduced from the intercondylar notch and be used in static fixation mode to stabilize supracondylar and diaphyseal femoral fractures in cats.
Temporomandibular joint ankylosis in cats and dogs
Authors: Maas C. P. H. J. , Theyse L. F. H.
Published: July 2007

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis is characterized by difficulty or inability to open the mouth. The ankylosis may be articular (‘true’) or extra-articular (‘false’). Clinical signs, radiographic studies, treatment and follow-up are presented in a retrospective study involving five cats and five dogs. The findings were compared with TMJ ankylosis in humans. CT imaging with three-dimensional reconstruction proved to be of great value in determining the extent of the abnormalities and helped with preoperative planning. Articular TMJ ankylosis occurred in six animals and extra-articular TMJ ankylosis was found in the other four cases. In three cats and in three dogs, the TMJ ankylosis was trauma related; the remaining patients were diagnosed with a tumour. Resection of ankylosing tissue in false ankylosis or gap arthroplasty in true ankylosis was successful in all of the trauma induced cases. In the two cats, with tumour related ankylosis, the ankylosis was caused by an osteoma and resection had a good prognosis, whereas the two dogs had to be euthanatized.
Luxation of the long digital extensor tendon as a complication to Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy
Authors: Sjöström L. , Haaland P. J.
Published: July 2007

Cranial cruciate ligament disease in dogs is frequently treated with Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy (TPLO). Herein we describe four cases of dogs presenting with sudden lameness in the operated leg one to 12 months post TPLO surgery. On examination, all of the dogs had a luxation of the long digital extensor tendon (LDE) resulting from the TPLO surgery. All of the dogs underwent revision surgeries. The LDE tendon was either secured in its normal position or transected, and a tenodesis was performed. The dogs recovered well after surgery and lameness was resolved in all four cases.
A morphometric study on the cross–sections of the scapular spine in dogs
Authors: Toros G. , Ocal M. K.
Published: July 2007

In cases of unstable scapular body fractures, the base of the scapular spine is one of the sites where there is adequate bone for the application of plate fixation in dogs. In this type of fixation, the amount of bone is an important factor with regard to the holding power of the screw from the biomechanical viewpoint. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to present the detailed quantitative features of the sectional area of the scapular spine in dogs. A total of 28 scapulas from 14 dogs were used, and each was divided into 10 equal slices The height of the scapular spine, depths of the supraspinous and infraspinus fossae were measured from the scanned images with the aid of a computer program. The results showed that the depth of the supraspinous fossa was greater in the ventral half of the spine, while the depth of the infraspinous was greater in the dorsal half. The differences between the depths of the two fossae were noticeable in the ventral half of the scapular spine.
Ulnocarpal arthrodesis for the treatment of radial agenesis in a dog
Authors: Johnson K. A. , Hildreth B. E.
Published: July 2007

Forelimb deformity caused by radial agenesis was diagnosed in a one-year-old Shih Tzu dog. In contrast to most of the previously reported cases of radial agenesis, the humeroulnar joint was inherently stable. The deformity was treated by means of a one-stage ulnocarpal arthrodesis with the application of an eight hole dorsolateral arthrodesis bone plate and autogenous corticocancellous bone graft from the ilial wing. Radiographic evaluation at the eighth and sixteenth post-operative week showed evidence of union of the arthrodesis. At sixteen weeks post-operatively, the dog had much improved limb function. In humans afflicted with radial agenesis, ulnocarpal arthrodesis is used to restore forearm function by minimizing pain and decreasing the magnitude of angular deformity and instability at the level of the ulnocarpal joint. However, to our knowledge, this is the first report of treatment of radial agenesis in the dog by means of a one-stage, ulnocarpal arthrodesis.
Rotating dome trochleoplasty: An experimental technique for correction of patellar luxation using a feline model
Authors: Linn K. , Gillick M.
Published: July 2007

The purpose of this study was to compare a trochlear block recession to a rotating dome trochleoplasty, a novel technique for the correction of patellar luxation in small animals. Twenty-eight limbs were used from 14 feline cadavers. With the stifles in flexion and extension, computed tomography was utilized to compare width and depth of the trochlea, medial trochlear ridge height, trochlear articular surface area preserved, patellar contact articular surface area, patellar area covered by the trochlear ridges and patellar tilt angle. The results of this study demonstrated that a rotating dome trochleoplasty is superior to a trochlear block recession with regard to medial trochlear height, trochlear width, trochlear depth and trochlear surface area preservation. The results of this study support further biomechanical evaluation of this technique which eventually may lead to clinical trials.
Patellar luxation as a complication of surgical intervention for the management of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs
Authors: Langley-Hobbs S. J. , Arthurs G. I.
Published: July 2007

This retrospective study identified 32 cases of patellar luxation which occurred as a complication of surgical intervention for cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR). The complication was recorded mostly in larger (≥20 kg) dogs with the Labrador Retriever being the most common breed. The complication followed extracapsular, intra-capsular and tibial plateau levelling surgery. The mean time from CCLR surgery to the diagnosis of patellar luxation was 14 weeks. The incidence of patellar luxation occurring as a complication of surgical intervention for CCLR was 0.18% of all CCLR corrective procedures. Corrective surgery for patellar luxation was successful in 79% of stifles. The patellar reluxation rate was significantly lower (p=0.0007) when at least one corrective osteotomy (tibial tuberosity transposition, femoral trochlear sulcoplasty or tibial plateau levelling osteotomy with tibial axial re-alignment) was performed (35%), compared to when corrective osteotomy was not performed (100% patellar reluxation rate). When performing corrective surgery for patellar luxation following CCLR surgery, at least one corrective osteotomy should be performed in order to reduce the patellar reluxation rate. The correction of patellar luxation following surgery for CCLR is challenging and carries a significant rate of failure.
Surgical treatment of simple syndactylism with secondary deep digital flexor tendon contracture in a Basset Hound
Authors: Friedlander K. , Ko R. , Aper R. , Breur G. , Towle H.
Published: July 2007

A five-month-old, female Basset Hound was presented for lameness associated with a fused 3rd and 4th digital pad on the left hind limb (simple incomplete syndactyly), and secondary contracture of the deep digital flexure tendon of the 3rd and 4th digit. An onychectomy of the third phalanx of the third and fourth digits was performed. Following the operation, the dog gained good use of the affected limb for one month until intermittent non-weight bearing lameness developed. A second surgery was performed six months later, partially removing the second phalanx of digits three and four. Follow-up reports indicate that the dog is doing well and is without lameness. This is the first report of deep digital flexor tendon contracture and surgical treatment of this complication in canine simple syndactylism.
Chronic peritoneal effusion secondary to partial caudal vena cava obstruction following traumatic pneumothorax in a dog
Authors: Arnold P. , von Segesser L. K. , Montavon P. M.
Published: July 2007

A three-year old, female Boxer Dog was treated initially with thoracocentesis for a right-sided pneumothorax. The dog was re-evaluated after three weeks because of an enlargement of the abdomen. A positive venogram revealed a ventral displacement of the caudal vena cava between the diaphragm and the heart, with a severe reduction of the diameter of the vein. An exploratory thoracotomy showed a displaced accessory lung lobe with an adhesion to the parietal pleura. Inflation of this lung lobe created a dynamic obstruction of the caudal vena cava, which resulted in ascites. Surgery offered successful treatment.