bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Challenges and coping strategies in family‐based dementia care in the Philippines
Authors: Cruz Precy S , Dominguez Jacqueline C 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe National Dementia Plan in the Philippines has just started. While there are existing pre‐planned strategies on dementia prevention and treatment, long‐term or sustained home‐based care for patients with dementia is limited taking into account that the Philippines is still a developing country that is challenged by inadequate government‐funding/s and resources. Hence, there is a call for the National Dementia Plan to place further consideration on the country’s population characteristics as well as of its culture of care that are cognizant primarily of the value of family care practices in the dementia in local setting.Purpose1) To identify the challenges experienced and the coping strategies used by Filipino families as they take care of patients with dementia in their homes. 2) To describe the home environment and surrounding cultural systems in which Filipino families provide with patient with dementia.MethodTen family caregivers were interviewed. Data derived were organized into categories and major themes.ResultsThe study found that the family caregivers, in spite of the limitations in resources and amidst severity of symptoms, can adapt to the different challenges and situations surrounding the care for patient with dementia at home. Apparently, cultural values inherent in local setting such as close‐family ties and the seeming dictum that Filipino households are bound to take care of their elderlies were likewise found to have an invaluable role in dementia care. Also, being a Christian country adjunct to the situation that most of Filipino families are Catholics, religion and faith were identified as prime coping mechanisms related to dementia‐care.Recommendations1) Encourage consistent and sustained involvement of the family in the provision of care for patients with dementia (inclusive primarily of social, financial, and psychological support), 2) Develop and/or refine health‐care policies strengthened and supported by research‐based data on home‐based dementia care germane to local setting.
Association between APOEε4 genotype and cardiovascular risk factors in Mexican elderly adults with amnestic and non‐amnestic mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Mimenza Alberto Jose , Aparacio Itzel Irais , Funes José A. Avila , Navarro Sara Gloria Aguilar 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is 14 to 18%. MCI has been associated with cardiovascular risk factors. Likewise, the APOEε4 genotype is a gene that confers susceptibility to Alzheimer’s disease. However, the association between APOE genotype, cardiovascular risk and MCI in the Mexican population is not clear, probably as a result of genetic heterogeneity.MethodWe included patients from memory clinic (INCMNSZ) from 2017 to 2019, > 70 years. Three groups were studied: controls without cognitive impairment, with amnestic and nonamnestic MCI. Parametric and nonparametric statistics (x2, ANOVA, multivariate logistic regression analysis, Kruskal‐Wallis) were used for the analysis of statistical differences between groups.Result131 patients were studied, 67.9% were women, the average age was 73.6 (SD 7.3) and the educational level was 12.62 (SD 4.98). Regarding the APOE genotype, 93 (71%) were e3 / e3, 35 (26.7%) e3 / e4, 3 (2.3%) e4 / e4. Three groups of cognitive function were formed: cognitively healthy controls: 59 (45%), amnestic MCI: 29 (22.1%) and nonamnestic MCI: 42 (32.1%). In the group with nonamnestic MCI, statistically significant differences were found in dyslipidemia 48% (P = 0.014), history of CVD 16.5% (P = 0.033) and anemia 8% (0.034). For the group with amnestic MCI, 44.4% hypothyroidism was found (p = 0.15). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the APOE genotype did not significantly modify the association with cardiovascular risk factors and MCI. A greater effect on motor executive function was found in the group of carriers of the APOEε4 genotype (p = 0.042)ConclusionOur study found a low frequency of APOE ε4, compared to African or European populations (Pygmy population, khoisan, waiwai) where the frequency is high (possibly related to race). Previous studies have shown an association between cardiovascular risk and cognitive risk in patients with APOE ε4, however, our study does not show an association between the state of APOE and risk for cognitive impairment, possibly related to variability genetics of the Mexican population, as well as the existence of possible polymorphisms not described in this population. Few studies have shown the association between APOE ε4 polymorphism, hypothyroidism and amnestic DCL.
A family‐centered approach to dementia caregiving: The case of Arab Americans
Authors: Ajrouch Kristine J , Janevic Mary , Antonucci Toni C 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundResearch findings increasingly show that the primary caregiver paradigm is not a good fit for many cultures (Gallagher‐Thompson et al., 2000; Dilworth‐Anderson et al., 1999; Aranda & Knight, 1997). In terms of Arab American communities, findings show the need for a family‐centric approach to caring for older adults (Ajrouch, 2017; Ajrouch & Fakhoury, 2013; Sengstock, 1996). The Arab population in Michigan grew 47% between 2000 and 2013, estimated at over 300,000 residents (Arab American Foundation Institute, 2014), and 11% are aged 65+ (American Community Survey, 2013‐2018). We advance a family systems framework by invoking convoys of caregiving (Sherman, Webster & Antonucci, 2013), highlighting that all caregivers, but especially in certain cultures, are surrounded by key others. This paper presents the process by which we developed a culturally congruent Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) caregiver intervention for Arab American families.MethodThree focus groups were organized with Arab Americans caring for a family member with AD. One focus group was organized with professionals who work with Arab Americans. Focus group discussions were held at a local Arab American social service organization, and gathered data on the role of family in caregiving, Arab American needs, and reactions to proposed intervention formats. Inductive analysis identified and refined study themes applied to modify an existing support program from the Alzheimer’s Association.ResultResults identified universal (e.g., burnout,) as well as culturally unique themes around the family caregiving experience. Culturally unique themes included “national origins,” which alerts us to ensure examples and scenarios used are familiar, but also introduces need for ensuring and communicating confidentiality; “family dynamics,” which introduces need to build on strengths, while at same time convey importance of accepting help; and “cultural ideals,” which shape how to introduce formal support options. We illustrate how results were applied to modify program delivery and content.ConclusionThis approach provides direction for addressing cultural needs/preferences within family contexts. Successful modification of an existing intervention includes capturing group ideals, engaging with community partners as equals, and making cultural representations visible. Next steps will involve evaluation of the modified program, program refinement and a final tool kit.
Regional correlates of linguistic error types using the Mini Linguistic State Examination (MLSE)
Authors: Patel Nikil , Barrick Thomas R. , Peterson Katie A. , Ingram Ruth , Garrard Peter 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundPrimary progressive aphasia is a clinically and pathologically heterogeneous condition. The currently recognised subsyndromes are non‐fluent, fluent and logopenic variants. The MLSE adopts a novel error‐scoring system to classify the PPA syndromes, and has previously been shown to distinguish the syndromic subtypes based on performance in five linguistic domains: motor speech, phonology, semantics, working memory and syntax. Further validity of this method can be achieved with brain MR correlates specific to the MLSE language domains. For instance, shortfalls in semantics would be expected for correlate with atrophy in bilateral anterior temporal gyrus, and errors in motor speech and syntax with regions in the left inferior frontal gyrus.MethodsThe cohort compromised of 105 participants, 61 patients with a root diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia (PNFA, 20; LPA, 24; SD, 17) and 44 matched controls. The MLSE was administrated on all participants who also had 3T MR imaging. Group level analysis was carried out using voxel‐based morphometry and Statistical Parametric Mapping with a region of interest approach.ResultsWe observed a pattern of high sensitivity and specificity for the proposed atrophy patterns (bilateral anterior temporal cortex) associated with semantic errors. Similarly, correlations with atrophy in left inferior frontal and insular regions were observed for deficits in motor speech, phonology and syntax. Regional correlates with working memory deficits were more diffuse.ConclusionsThe results of this study provide evidence that assessment using error types aids classification and differentiation of the profile of PPA patients and conforms with patterns of MR atrophy that would be expected based on previous research.
Social relationships and the rate of cognitive decline among older adults in Lebanon: Differences by gender
Authors: Bakkar Amar Al , Chaaya Monique , Abiad Lilian Ghandour , DeJong Jocelyn , Chaaya Monique 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundCognitive decline is an increasing public health problem with ageing of populations worldwide. Evidence from developed countries is accumulating on the role of social relationship on cognitive decline. No such studies in the Middle East. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of social network and social engagement on cognitive decline and explore differences by gender among older adults in Lebanon.MethodData were derived from the COLDS’ study (Cohort of Older Adults in Lebanon: A Dementia Study). Out of a cohort of 508 older adults, 273 participants did not have cognitive decline at baseline and these constitute the sample of current study. Cognitive decline was estimated using the Arabic version of the IQCODE. The social network dimension consisted of the participant’s marital status and his /her contact with relatives, friends, and neighbors. Social engagement included attending religious meetings, engaging in any community activities, and involvement in any kind of paid work. Simple and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed adjusting for cluster effect. To explore the effect of Gender on the association between exposure variables and cognitive decline, stratification by gender was done at the bivariate and multivariate level. Interaction terms were added to logistic regression models to check for statistical significance of the interaction with gender.ResultAdjusting for age, gender, educational level, depression, difficulties in performing daily activities, and other social factors, only frequent contact with children or other relatives was significantly associated with lower odds of cognitive decline after 3 years of follow‐up (adjusted OR= 0.37, 95 % CI 0.14‐0.97). No evidence of difference by gender was found.ConclusionThe findings highlight the importance of support received from children and close relatives particularly in a country like Lebanon where the social life of elderly is centered on the family, while friends and neighbors play a lesser role. Children and close relatives may influence older people’s health by motivating positive healthy behaviors. Future longitudinal studies should explore in a comprehensive framework how social interactions and cognitive status would change throughout the follow‐up period and the dynamics through which they would influence each other.
The effect of virtual reality (VR)‐based intervention program on brain and cognition in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
Authors: Thapa Ngeemasara , Park Hyejin , Yang Jakyung , Kim Hansol , Son Haeun , Jang Minwoo , Lee Jihyeon , Park Hyuntae 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundGiven the current lack of evidence for intervention and disease‐modifying treatment for Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia, exploring new interventions is important. VR interventions have increasingly gained popularity in psychotherapy and behavioral therapy, and the potential of VR based interventions to improve cognition are also being explored. However, the evidences regarding its effect on dementia are quite ambiguous. Therefore, we aimed to synthesize the effects of VR interventions for older adults with MCI/ Mild dementia.MethodSeventy‐five subjects, with mean age 72.5±5.32 years (mean ± standard deviation), participated in this study. The subjects were randomly assigned to either control or VR intervention groups. The intervention group performed series of 4 types of VR based cognitive training program for 6 weeks. Three sessions were held per week and each session lasted for 90 minutes. Cognitive function was assessed with Mini mental state examination (MMSE) test, Trail making test (TMT) A & B, and Digit symbol substitute test. Resting state EEG was measured in eyes open and eyes closed condition for 5 minutes each with 19 channel wireless EEG device. Socio‐demographic characteristics data like education, age, and smoking, and physical function data like short physical performance battery (SPPB), gait speed, were also acquired.ResultThe scores on TMT B improved in intervention group after 6 weeks of VR training compared to control group. The intervention group, in resting state EEG, showed improved theta to beta ratio (TBR) in frontal region of the brain.ConclusionVR intervention is useful in individuals with MCI or mild dementia and these findings demonstrate that VR‐intervention program is useful to improve cognitive and brain function, and physical function and gait speed in patients with cognitive decline. In future, longer and broader VR‐based studies are required to unfold a path to magnify the benefits of VR‐intervention for improving cognitive functions.
Répéter s'il vous plait: Working memory intensive sentence repetition deficits as a sensitive neuropsychological marker of primary progressive aphasia
Authors: Arslan Seckin , Plonka Alexandra , Cogordan Magali Payne , Manera Valeria , Gros Auriane , Meunier Fanny 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundSentence repetition deficits have been shown to be critical in diagnosing primary progressive aphasia (PPA), particularly the logopenic variant, distinguishing its symptoms from other Alzheimer’s disease related dementias [1‐3]. These impairments were found to be associated with working memory [4].MethodIn the current preliminary study, to further investigate how sentence repetition is mediated in memory in PPA and AD, we used a spoken sentence‐span task to examine groups of 6 French‐speaking PPA (including lvPPA and non‐fluent subtypes), 6 AD patients without aphasia, and 15 healthy ageing controls. The task required individuals to repeat meaningful French sentences with increasing number of content words ranging from three to nine. Each span of content words contained two items, and when the participants failed in repeating both items in one span, the task was terminated; when one item was incorrectly repeated half a point penalty was issued.ResultsBoth the patient groups performed more poorly than healthy controls in all measures (ts>+/‐3.27). A set of mixed‐effects regression models showed that the PPA group had reduced sentence‐span (M
PPA=5.08 vs. M
AD=5.66; ß=0.58, SE=0.16, t=3.53, 95%CIs[0.25,0.91]), greater difficulty repeating content words (M
PPA= 44.33 vs. M
AD=50.00; ß=5.66, SE=2.19, t=2.57, 95%CIs[‐2.18,‐0.48]), and elevated number of substitution errors (M
PPA= 6.16 vs. M
AD=4.83; ß=‐1.33, SE=0.42, t=‐3.10, 95%CIs[1.32,10.01]) compared to the AD group (Figure 1). No group differences were found in repetition duration standardized by number of content words.ConclusionWe found that sentence repetition deficits in PPA have different characteristics than those in AD, submitting to earlier studies that associated PPA assessment with graphic markers [5]. We recommend clinicians to incorporate a sentence repetition task involving sentences with varying length and number of content words in their diagnostic assessment as this study suggests that working‐memory intensive sentence repetition decline appears to be a neuropsychological clinical marker distinguishing cognitive profiles of PPA from AD patients. [1]Hohlbaum, et al., Aphasiology, 2018. 32(12):1445‐1467. [2]Foxe, et al., Cortex, 2016. 83: p.39‐50. [3]Gorno‐Tempini, et al. Neurology, 2008. 71(16): p.1227‐1234. [4]Beales, et al., Brain and Language, 2019. 194: p.1‐11. [5]Gros, et al., Alzheimer’s&Dementia, 2019. P1‐285(15): p.351‐352.
The complexity of DLB: U.S.‐based Dementia with Lewy Body Consortium
Authors: Leverenz James B , Bekris Lynn M , Berman Sarah , Fleisher Jori E , Galasko Doug R , Galvin James E , Goldman Jennifer , Hall Deborah A , Irwin David J , Kaufer Daniel , Lippa Carol , Litvan Irene , Lopez Oscar L , Sabbagh Marwan N , Tsuang Debby W , Zabetian Cyrus P 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe clinical syndrome of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is well defined with good positive predictive value for the presence of Lewy body pathology at autopsy. However, the presence of Lewy body pathology in dementia is not always linked to the clinical syndrome of DLB, particularly early in the clinical course (e.g., prodromal and mild cognitive impairment), and co‐pathologies are quite frequent. This clinical and pathologic complexity leads to many challenges including early recognition and diagnosis, clinical management, and development of symptomatic and disease modifying therapies. To address these issues, a number of consortia have been established to longitudinally study DLB and related Lewy body diseases, including a US based Dementia with Lewy Bodies Consortium (DLBC).MethodThe U.S.‐based DLBC is a multi‐centered, NIH funded, project to longitudinally and systematically study subjects with DLB and mild cognitive impairment/high likelihood DLB (MCI‐DLB). The primary goal of the DLBC is to generate biospecimens linked to clinical, imaging, and neuropathologic characterization in a longitudinally followed cohort across the participating DLBC sites. Biofluids, including blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and data generated by the DLBC will be ultimately be available to investigators through the NINDS‐funded Parkinson’s Disease Biomarker Program.ResultTo date, one hundred and thirteen subjects have been enrolled in the DLBC. Preliminary results from the first ninety‐two subjects note a male predominance in the sample (82 of 92, 89%). At baseline visit, mean age was 69.4 (SD 7.1 years), baseline UPDRS‐MDS Part III was 28.9 (15.7 SD) and MoCA 20.4 (SD 5.4). Neuropathologic data are limited, but suggest that an elevated CSF p‐tau may assist in clinically differentiating DLB with or without high levels of Alzheimer’s disease pathology. Imaging results including volumetric MRI, amyloid imaging and DaTscan are pending.ConclusionThe development of DLB cohorts, such as the US based DLBC, is essential to understanding the complexity and pathobiologic significance of the clinical syndrome, biomarker characteristics and imaging findings in patients with underlying Lewy body disease. These results continue to emphasize the importance of further development of biomarkers in DLB and related neurodegenerative disorders.
Validation and normative data of the Spanish version of the Face‐Name Associative Memory Exam (S‐FNAME): Findings from the Barcelona Brain Health Initiative
Authors: Alviarez‐Schulze Vanessa , Cattaneo Gabriele , Solana Javier , Pachón‐García Catherine , Tormos‐Muñoz Josep Mª , Alegret Montserrat , Pascual‐Leone Alvaro , Bartres‐Faz David 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundThree previous studies administrated the Spanish version of the Face Name Associative Memory Exam task (S‐FNAME) to Spanish participants. Sanabria and collaborators, (2018) in their investigation on subjective cognitive decline individuals, reported associations between task performance and amyloid‐β (Aβ) burden, in accordance with the original publication (Renz et al., 2011). Alegret and colleagues (2015) provided normative data and psychometric characteristics, albeit the study was limited to subjects attending a memory clinic and included a reduced number of participants (N=110) with gender inequality distribution. The purpose of this study was to provide normative data and psychometric characteristics of the S‐FNAME in a larger independent sample of cognitively healthy individuals.MethodS‐FNAME was administered, according to standardized procedure published by Alegret et al. (2015), to 513 cognitively volunteers (243 women, mean age= 52,67±7,04, age range 41‐65, years of education= 17,28±3,71) participating in a longitudinal prospective cohort study (Barcelona Brain Health Initiative; Cattaneo et al., 2018). Subjects with diagnosis of neurological or psychiatric disease, substance abuse or treatment with psychopharmacological drugs, MMSE < 27, and cognitive impairments were excluded.ResultFactor analysis supported construct validity revealing two underlying components: face‐name and face‐occupation and explaining 95,36% of the total variance. Correlations between S‐FNAME and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) were significant (ρ=.392, p=.00) and confirm its concurrent criterion validity. We also found weak and no significant correlations with other non‐memory cognitive tests supporting divergent criterion validity. Women showed better scores and S‐FNAME scales were positively correlated with years of education and negatively with age. Finally, we generated normative data for Spanish population aged 40–65 years.ConclusionS‐FNAME exhibits good psychometric properties, consistent with previous findings regarding factorial structure and correlation with other measures and socio‐demographics variables (Alegret et al., 2015; Amariglio et al., 2012), although we found association with education in contrast to previous publications. S‐FNAME could serve as useful tool to assess memory impairments in Spanish population both for research purposes and clinical practice, to examine healthy older adult population and capture subtle cognitive decline or memory dysfunction associated to abnormal brain aging.