bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Self‐efficacy of ADRD caregivers: Results of a pilot survey
Authors: Parsons Kelly Kazee , Gibson Allison , Bardach Shoshana H , Barber Justin M , Johnson Julia , Jicha Gregory A 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundFamily members often become informal caregivers of persons diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Caregiver self‐efficacy is a construct that refers to a belief that a person has about one’s ability to successfully facilitate their caregiving role. However, self‐efficacy can vary across caregiving domains. This pilot study aimed to identify challenges and strengths of caregiver self‐efficacy to inform a caregiving intervention.MethodsData collection was administered to ADRD caregivers associated with a southern U.S. Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. With a focus on motivation, coping, and self‐ efficacy, analysis was conducted with 65 caregivers for ADRD (n=62). The caregiver assessment was conducted as an interview (39 items) and included Zarit’s Caregiver Burden 4‐item screening, REACH II Risk Appraisal, Fortinsky’s Caregiver Self‐Efficacy for Managing Dementia scale, and selected items of Albert’s Care Planning for Individuals with Dementia. Analysis in R identified caregiver efficacy along the continuum of care needs and domains.ResultsOf the 62 respondents, 29 identified as the only caregiver (51.8%) and 51 identified as the primary caregiver (91.1%). The majority of respondents provided daily care (49; 87.5%) without paid assistance (43, 76.8%). Caregivers expressed challenges including frequent trouble sleeping (24; 42.9%) and occasional desire to yell at the persons with ADRD (28; 50.0%). Further, 27 persons with ADRD had access to a weapon (48.2%). Most caregivers “agreed a lot” (26; 44.6%) or “agreed a bit” (18; 32.1%) that providing care made them feel good about themselves. Self‐efficacy and caregiver burden were correlated. ([r(53) = ‐.413, p = .002]). Further, a regression was significant with independent variables level of disease knowledge and caregiver efficacy explaining significant variance in feeling good about providing care ([R2= .141, F(2, 52) = 4.114, p = 0.022]).ConclusionDeveloping strategies to provide specific interventions within the continuum of care is a timely cost effective way to reduce caregiver burden, promote the dyad well‐being, and assist family to age in place. Caregiver interventions should focus on safety in the home (i.e., securing weapons), self‐care for caregivers, and disease education, which can empower caregivers to feel good about themselves in their role as caregivers.
Predictors of care home placement in people diagnosed with dementia in a New Zealand memory service
Authors: Cullum Sarah , Yates Susan , Varghese Chris , Coomarasamy Christin , Whittington Rosie , Cheung Gary 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundAs the global population ages the burden of dementia is expected to rise across all cultures around the world. Much of the social sector costs of dementia care in high income countries is due to residential care. The aim of this study is to investigate the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics that predict care home placement in people diagnosed with dementia at a New Zealand memory service.MethodThis cohort study used routinely collected clinical data gathered on referrals to the Memory Service at Middlemore Hospital in South Auckland between 2013 and 2019. Survival analysis was carried out using Cox regression models to determine significant risk factors and their associations with care home placement.ResultComparison by ethnic group showed that NZ Europeans were on average older compared to Māori and Pacific Islanders, and were more likely to be living alone. As might be expected, age, more severe cognitive impairment and living alone were independently associated with increased risk of care home placement. After adjustment for these factors, Māori and Pacific Islanders were still less likely to be placed in a care home. People diagnosed with mixed dementia were more likely to be placed in a care home than those diagnosed with other dementia subtypes. Prescription of antipsychotics was highly associated with care home placement however we were unable to establish if antipsychotics were prescribed before or after placement.ConclusionThese data will help us to understand differences in adverse outcomes in people with dementia. The ability of Māori and Pacific Islanders to continue to care for their family member with dementia needs to be examined in more detail, as the findings might empower and enable other families to postpone care home placement.
Cognitive test norms and comparison to normal cognition and mild cognitive impairment: A population‐based study among community‐dwelling Filipinos
Authors: Dominguez Jacqueline C. , Citron Raphael Louis B. , De Guzman Ma Fe P. , Guevarra Anne Cristine Deocariza , Yu Justine Megan F. , Galvez Francy Joy , Natividad Boots P. , Phung Thien Kieu Thi 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundClinicians use neuropsychological assessment to screen individuals for cognitive impairment since it more convenient and can detect impaired parts of cognition to provide early treatment. This study is aimed to differentiate the cognitive performance on the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale – Cognition (ADAS‐Cog) among the older adults with normal cognition and with MCI.MethodThe sample composed of 302 participants aged ≥60 years old who met the score of 25 in the Mini‐mental status examination (MMSE). Psychologists would then administer cognitive measures (ADAS‐Cog, logical memory recognition and delayed recall, verbal fluency on animals and vegetables, digit span forward and backward, digit symbol, and trailmaking A and B) upon meeting. ADAS‐Cog total and subtest scores were compared across the two groups. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis were performed and, sensitivity and specificity were calculated.ResultMost of the participants are female (81.8%) compared to males (17.9%). 64.2% has normal cognition while 35.8% of them have MCI. The mean age was 69.16 (±5.77) years and mean years of education of 9.11 (±3.57). The MCI group they have a cut‐off ADAS‐Cog score of 13.57(±5.49) (sensitivity= 0.63; specificity= 0.69) while the normal group have a score of 9.96 (±4.79). It also showed significant difference (t=5.971; p≤0.01) among the groups; domains showed a significant relationship i.e.: word list recall, naming, commands, ideational praxis, orientation, word list recognition (p≤0.01) and constructional praxis (p=0.015). Other cognitive measures besides digit symbol (t=1.578; p=0.116) are significant i.e. logical memory recognition and recall, verbal fluency on animals and vegetables, digit span forward and backward, and trailmaking A and B (p≤0.01).ConclusionThe ADAS‐Cog is inapplicable as a screening tool for MCI but specific for MCI diagnosis. There is significant difference found between functional impairment among MCI and normal cognition in the overall and subtests scores.
Are amyloid and tau synergistic? How to interpret an amyloid/tau interaction on cognitive decline in clinically normal adults
Authors: Buckley Rachel F. , Chou Hsiang‐Chin Lori , Properzi Michael J , Papp Kathryn V. , Chhatwal Jasmeer P. , Rentz Dorene , Johnson Keith A. , Sperling Reisa A. , Schultz Aaron P. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundMany recent studies have examined interactions between β‐amyloid (Aβ) and tau‐PET to predict clinical progression. Ab and tau are moderately correlated in clinically‐normal older adults (r∼0.4‐0.5, p<0.001; Figure 3B), which complicates statistical modelling of interactive effects. Multi‐collinearity can result in conflated interactions that reflect nonlinear effects (square of shared variance) rather than true interactions between separate channels of information. Here, we use simulated and real data to examine the extent to which an Aβ and tau interaction reflects ‘true’ synergism vs. conflated shared variance in predicting cognitive decline.MethodWe first ran simulations to illustrate how interactions between collinear variables inflates the association with shared sources of variance: we simulated two collinear independent variables by generating three random sources of variance (one shared variance [v1] and two unique sources of variance [v2 and v3]) (Figure 1). extracted two principal components from these simulated variables (PC1shared and PC2unique) and ran correlations between a PC1*PC2 interaction and different combinations of the simulated v1‐v3 sources of variance (Figure 1). We also examined real data (Aβ‐PET, entorhinal and inferior temporal tau‐PET, and longitudinal PACC) from the Harvard Aging Brain Study (n=224; Agemean=72.0 (sd=7.3), Female=59%) and ADNI (n=291; Agemean=71.8 (sd=6.5), Female=47%), in order to compare the pattern of effects with the simulated results.ResultThe PC1shared, and its square, PC1shared
2, were strongly associated with shared variance and its square (v1 and v1
2; see Figure 2). A Principal Components Analysis (PCA) of Aβ and entorhinal tau in HABS and ADNI cohorts resulted in a PC1shared and PC1shared
2 that closely associated with PACC slopes, mirroring the simulated results showing collinear interactions are more likely to represent conflated shared variance (see Figure 3A). Interactions between Aβ with inferior temporal tau were less extreme, suggesting additional associations between PACC slopes and PC2unique.ConclusionOur results suggest an Aβ and tau interaction should be interpreted with caution, as this may represent the non‐linear effects of shared variance, rather than the interaction of two (Aβ and tau) unique sources of variance. That is, PC1shared can be interpreted as a squared term, e.g. tau2 or Aβ2, rather than reflecting something truly synergistic between the proteinopathies to influence cognitive decline.
Attitudes towards memory research participation: Focus groups with elderly African Americans viewing a community‐created educational video
Authors: Chin Shehan , Umpierre Mari , Neugroschl Judith , Sewell Margaret , Ugwu Nkemdilim , Evans Kirsten , Sano Mary 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundAlzheimer’s Disease (AD) disproportionately impacts African Americans (AA) but they are underrepresented in clinical research. A previous study (Sewell et al., AAIC 2019), found that the use of an educational video (Memory Research: Is it right for me?) created by the ADRC in collaboration with our primarily Latino Community Advisory Board was, in conjunction with Q&A sessions, effective at increasing interest in research among Latinos. The aim of the current pilot study was to engage community AA elders in focus groups to explore their feedback as regards clarity, relatability, and effectiveness of the video as a tool to engage them in conversations about research participation.MethodA Moderator’s Guide was created to ask the interviewees to evaluate the video re relatability, clarity and whether it impacted interest in participating in research. General questions were asked regarding knowledge of research and memory health. Two hour‐long focus groups were conducted with 14 participants who watched the video. An ADRC faculty member used the Moderator’s Guide to prompt responses while an observer took notes.ResultsMean age 72; 93% female; 93% AA; 7% Latino; 86% > high school graduates, 14% < 6th grade. Groups were transcribed, and data was coded to extrapolate themes using Grounded Theory techniques. One theme pertaining to attitudes toward research participation was fear (43% of participants) and included concerns that there would be side effects from medications or overly personal questions; the second theme was the video increased curiosity but a need for more information (e.g. requests for more details, and for specifics of how research is conducted) (62%). Participants also stated that the video clarified their understanding and decreased fear of research participation. As regards relatability, one member noted that the video should have included men and African Americans.ConclusionThe video was well‐received in primarily AA focus groups. Themes included both fear of research but also curiosity and a desire to know more. Given these encouraging results, a quantitative research study with a larger sample further exploring these themes and looking at the effectiveness of this recruitment strategy in increasing research participation is warranted.
Machine‐learning based EEG biomarker for early screening of amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI)
Authors: Youn Young Chul , Kang Seung Wan , Lee Hannah , Park Ukeob 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundaMCI is the most progressive prodromal stage of dementia. For early screening of dementia, it is very important to discriminate aMCI from age‐related physiologic cognitive decline. In addition, community‐based screening tool requires appropriate, less expensive technology. We developed QEEG biomarker algorithm using mixed machine‐learning methods, and validated itMethodNineteen channels of EEGs were measured from 382 community‐based normal subjects and 182 aMCI who showed standardized delayed verbal memory score under 16 percentiles. Various linear and non‐linear quantitative features were generated from single EEG such as frequency band power, power ratio, peak alpha frequency, cortical source current density, functional connectivity based on imaginary coherence and non‐linear complexity. Independent t‐test and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were used to select the best combination of features. Probability index score for aMCI was developed by combination with logistic regression and penalized linear regression methods with 73 aMCI and 75 community‐based normal subjects. Probability index score could be ranged from 0 to 100, and higher score was referred to as more severe memory impairment due to underlying pathologic progression. Five fold validation was done to fit the best model for largest area under curve (AUC).ResultThe probability index score for aMCI was validated with blinded independent EEG dataset from 3 hospitals in Korea. The test set consisted of 307 community‐based normal and 109 aMCI subjects. When index score of 60 was applied at cut‐off value to discriminated aMCI from age‐related normal memory declined, the sensitivity was 93% and specificity was 90%. AUC was 0.93 (95% CI: 0.89–0.96)ConclusionQEEG findings of aMCI were different from those of age‐related normal memory declined. Above aMCI probability index score showed promising result. Individual EEGs are much various, and just single specific EEG feature or single machine‐learning method couldn’t be enough to show the significant discriminating power. Careful selection of EEG features and curation of different machine‐learning and statistical models is recommended. This EEG biomarker should be tested for larger aMCI and normal subject populations, and continuously revised and upgraded.
Effects of sub‐chronic oral caffeine consumption on memory and the hippocampal Akt, GSK‐3β and ERK in mice
Authors: Moosavi Maryam , Esmaeili Zahra , SoukhakLari Roksana , Moezi Leila , Pirsalami Fatema , Farrokhi Majid Reza , Kazerouni Armaghan 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundCaffeine, one of the most widely consumed psychoactive substance in the world, has been shown to affect mood, memory, alertness, and cognitive performance. However, the literature about the effects of caffeine intake on memory is equivocal. This study aimed to assess the effect of sub‐chronic oral gavage of caffeine on memory and the phosphorylation levels of hippocampal Akt (protein kinase B), GSK‐3β (Glycogen Synthase Kinase‐3beta) and ERK (extracellular signal‐regulated kinase) in mice.MethodAdult male NMRI mice were administered with sub‐chronic caffeine at the doses of 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.5 mg/kg/oral gavage for 10 days before training which continued until the retention day of passive avoidance task. Upon completion of the behavioral assessments, the hippocampi were isolated for western blot analysis to detect the phosphorylated and total levels of Akt, GSK‐3β and ERK proteins.ResultThe results showed that sub‐chronic caffeine ingestion at the dose of 0.5 mg/kg improves memory in mice. Furthermore, the memory enhancing dose of caffeine (0.5 mg/kg) elevated the phosphorylated to total ratios of hippocampal Akt, GSK‐3β and ERK.ConclusionThis study suggests that sub‐chronic low dose of caffeine improves memory and increases the phosphorylation of hippocampal Akt, GSK‐3β and ERK proteins.
Differences in quantitative electroencephalogram and voxel‐based volumetry between encoding and retrieval in amnestic mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Youn Young Chul , Yeo So Eun , Jung Ho Tae , Kang Dong Won , Lee Hannah , Kang Seung Wan 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundAmnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) has been considered as prodromal stage of Alzheimer’s disease. Memory impairment can be classified into encoding failure (EF) and retrieval failure (RF).ObjectsThe aim of this study is to classify patients with single‐dominant aMCI according to the type of memory impairment (EF and RF) and to examine the quantitative EEG and MRI brain volume with significant differences between the groups.MethodThis study used the EEG data of patients who visited Chung‐Ang University Hospital Department of Neurology from January 2012 to May 2019 and were diagnosed with single‐dominant aMCI. A total of 165 collected EEG data were classified into 87 EF (73.76 ±8.26 years) and 78 RF (73.42 ± 7.88 years) based on the results of the Seoul Verbal Learning Test. EEG was done using the standard 10–20 system (21 electrodes) using a digital electroencephalograph (Comet AS40 amplifier EEG GRASS; Telefactor, USA). The stored EEG data were subjected to quantitative EEG analysis through noise preprocessing using iSyncBrain™ (iMediSync, Inc., Korea), and group analysis was performed according to two types. Subjects were also performed 3D T1 MRI and voxel based morphometry using Computational Anatomy Toolbox for SPM 12.ResultThe beta2 band power(frequency range : 15∼20Hz) in the relative power spectrum showed statistically significant difference between the two groups in the Cz and parietal electrodes(P3, Pz, P4) (p<0.05). Also, broad area around occipito‐parietal region showed significant increase of TB2R(Theta/Beta2 power ratio) both sensor and source level analysis. Increasing pattern of TB2R was also observed in both parahippocampal area. There was no significant difference of regional brain volumes between aMCI with EF and RF.ConclusionEF and RF of aMCI showed no structural differences, but functional differences, suggesting the possibility of different stages or pathologies of cognitive impairments.
Neuropsychiatric symptoms in early stage autosomal dominant and sporadic Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Pawar Sanjay , Montoya Lucy , Barrera Lillibeth , Mora Livier , Cortez‐Sanchez Kristyan , Brook Jenny , Ringman John M. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundNeuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in AD, though more prevalent and severe in advanced disease, can occur as early features, with case reports suggesting more robust NPS in autosomal dominant Alzheimer disease (ADAD). The characterization of NPS in person with ADAD and their comparison to late‐onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD) enhances our ability to anticipate such symptoms and provides insight into differences in the underlying pathology of the two forms of the disease.MethodInformants of 19 participants with mutations known to cause ADAD (mean age 45.58, 36.8% male) and 115 participants with LOAD (mean age 74.71, 42.6% male) were administered the full Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) to assess the presence, frequency, and severity of 12 NPS, namely delusions, hallucinations, agitation, depression, anxiety, elation, apathy, disinhibition, irritability, aberrant motor behavior, sleep, and eating disorders. All participants had Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scores of 0.5. Chi‐square tests were used to compare the prevalence of NPS between ADAD and LOAD patients using both NPI screening and subquestions.ResultADAD and LOAD groups did not significantly differ in terms of MMSE score, CDR Sum of Boxes, gender, or years of education though ADAD subjects were more likely to be of Latinx origin (84% vs. 23%, p<0.001). ADAD and LOAD subjects did not differ on any qualifying questions, except for apathy, which was more common in ADAD mutation carriers (20.9% of LOAD subjects vs. 44.4% of ADAD subjects, p=0.039). Positive responses to subquestions regarding whether the participant was less affectionate and less interested in family were more commonly endorsed in ADAD.ConclusionAlthough apathy was more prevalent in ADAD subjects, the difference was not large and was not maintained when controlling for multiple comparisons. We therefore failed to identify robust differences in NPS between ADAD and LOAD. Our findings are limited by the small sample size of ADAD subjects but suggest that NPS are not markedly different in the early stages of ADAD and LOAD.
Regression‐based normative data for the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test in Norwegian and Swedish adults ages 40 to 80
Authors: Espenes Jacob , Eliassen Ingvild Vøllo , Fladby Tormod , Eckerström Marie , Wallin Anders , Waterloo Knut , Hessen Erik , Kirsebom Bjørn‐Eivind 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundAdequate memory assessment is important in neuropsychological evaluation of middle‐aged and older adults with suspected mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and/or Alzheimer’s disease. The Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) is a widely used measure of episodic verbal memory. To our knowledge, culturally adapted and demographically adjusted normative data for the RAVLT are currently not available for Scandinavian adults. The objective of this study was to develop regression‐based norms for the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) for Scandinavian adults aged 40 to 80 years. We also test the validity and demographic adjustment of these norms in a clinical sample of participants with mild cognitive impairment.MethodsParticipants were cognitively normal healthy controls from the Norwegian Dementia Disease Initiation cohort (n=72), and the Swedish Gothenburg MCI study (n=124). Using a regression‐based norming procedure, we estimated effects of age, gender and years of education on RAVLT test scores. The newly developed norms were applied in an independent sample of adults with MCI (n=59) from the DDI cohort, and we compared performance between the two groups using independent t‐tests.ResultsLower age, female gender and more years of education predicted higher performance on the RAVLT. The norms successfully adjusted for the demographic variables in the MCI sample, and performance was significantly higher in the healthy control group (p<.001).ConclusionWe propose regression‐based norms the RAVLT adjusting for the effects of age, gender and education. The norms may be used for assessment of Norwegian and Swedish adults between the ages of 40 and 80 years, with between 6 and 22 years of education.