bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Developing an automated Cognitive assessment based on language; CognoSpeak‐ working with an ethnic minority group
Authors: Blackburn Daniel J , Sproson Lise , Egbuta Caleb , Bell Simon M , O'Malley Ronan , Mirheidari Bahman , Pevy Nathan , Christensen Heidi 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to explore the issues around developing a new automated cognitive assessment. Current cognitive screening or stratification tools were typically developed only using white people so having a normative data set from almost exclusively white populations. In this part of the project we are co‐developing an automated cognitive assessment tool; CognoSpeak (https://cognospeak.github.io/website/) with a Somali ethnic minority group.CognoSpeak is a fully automated cognitive assessment tool based in language an interaction. A virtual clinician asking questions and listening to responses using automatic speech recognition and Machine Learning algorithmsMethodsWe recruited 2 members of the Somali community team (Israac) and undertook workshops to explore the themes of dementia and cognitive impairment. We trained the Research champions to use cognitive assessment tools and have piloted these on 20 healthy controls from the Somali community. Participants were assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS) and the Multicultural Cognitive Examination (MCE).ResultsWe have undertaken a pilot study, recruiting 14 females, and 7 males ranging from 34 years to 80 years old (with mean age of 48.8). Participants were all from a non‐English background and spoke English and identified as either Somalian or British Somalian. 76.19%(16/21 scored below MoCA = 26; MoCA. Zero scored below cut off on RUDAS (RUDAS = 22; RUDAS: all the patients scored more than 22 and zero scored below cut off of 70 on MCE and 14.29% (3/21)We will aim to recruit 50 participants to interact with CognoSpeak and have results from the three cognitive screens described above.ConclusionWe have trained two research champions with no prior research experience to help recruit Healthy controls to start testing CognoSpeak. Validation of novel cognitive tools needs co‐developed methodologies and culturally appropriate cognitive assessment tools. We will have further data on a larger data set, comparing different cognitive screening tools and our automated tool.
Assessment of the dietary intake among patients with Alzheimer’s disease in Kazakhstan
Authors: Kaiyrlykyzy Aiym , Zholdasbekova Gulnaz , Alzhanova Dinara , Kushugulova Almagul , Askarova Sholpan 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundDietary intake alterations have been studied in relation to Alzheimer’s disease and have shown that a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low‐fat dairy products may be associated with a reduced risk of cognitive decline, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Traditionally, the Kazakh diet is high in protein, fats, and carbohydrates, and low in fruits and vegetables. With the increasing urbanization and globalization, the diet of Kazakhs is starting to change, and more people are starting to adopt a more Westernized diet which is higher in processed foods and sugar. However, little is known about dietary patterns in AD patients from the Central Asia region. Thus, the aim of the study was to identify dietary intake among local Alzheimer’s patientsMethodWe included 106 patients with AD dementia and 100 controls and retrospectively assessed the average intake over a given time period of foods and dishes in a defined food list using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). The FETA tool was used to analyze nutrient and food group data from the questionnaireResultOur results demonstrate that AD patients’ diets are characterized by lower fruit, vegetable, and fish consumption compared to the controls. Patients with AD dementia did significantly differ from controls in total daily energy intake (1696 (IQR 1152;2168) vs 2019 (IQR 1424;2515) kcal/day, p > 0.05), in protein, total carbohydrate, and fats. The daily Vitamin C, D, E, and iodine intake was lower than recommended amounts in both groups.ConclusionAD patients in Kazakhstan have a diet with low income of fruits and vegetables which leads to certain nutrients and vitamin deficiencies. It is advised that patients follow a balanced diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein sources.
Analysis of oral microbiome diversity in Alzheimer’s disease patients from Kazakhstan
Authors: Kaiyrlykyzy Aiym , Kushugulova Almagul , Kozhakhmetov Samat , Jarmukhanov Zharkyn , Mukhanbetzhanov Nurislam , Pernebek Zhanel , Zholdasbekova Gulnaz , Alzhanova Dinara , Askarova Sholpan 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundRecent studies have suggested that periodontal disease and alterations in the oral microbiome may be associated with cognitive decline and the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Here, we report a pilot case‐control study of oral microbiota diversity in AD patients in comparison with healthy seniors from the Central Asian region.MethodWe have characterized the bacterial taxonomic composition of the oral microbiome from AD patients (n = 69) compared to the healthy group (n = 72) using 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing.ResultOur analysis showed that the oral microbiome of AD has a higher microbial diversity. More importantly, differences across taxonomic groups are distinguished by the diversity of opportunistic flora in the AD group. We identified differences between phyla and genera in bacterial abundance, including a decrease in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio in the microbiome of AD participants. LEfSe allowed determining an enrichment at the Genus Pseudomonas, Prevotella_9, UCG_002, Esherichia_Shigella, Mogibacterium, Ralstonia, and Bergeyella in the AD group. A significant increase in the genus Mogibacterium, which is also associated with an aggressive form of periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus, was revealed. The genus Ralstonia are commensal representatives of the oral microbiome, but with a reduced immune system they exhibit pathogenic properties and are associated with a higher risk of mortality in hematological malignancies and hereditary disorders of hematopoiesis. One of the least studied Bergeyella spp, which is a representative of the oral microbiome of dogs, cats, and pigs, therefore, it is isolated on contact and is associated with the risk of preterm birth, as well as the development of endocarditis in a weakened body.ConclusionOur results confirm that the oral microbiome is a potential target for therapeutic intervention in AD. However, a comprehensive picture of the full composition of the oral microbiome in patients with AD requires further investigation.
Importance of individual dietary factors for cognitive performance in the Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability, FINGER
Authors: Uusimäki Kerttu , Hemiö Katri , Ngandu Tiia , Laatikainen Tiina , Strandberg Timo , Antikainen Riitta , Tuomilehto Jaakko , Soininen Hilkka , Kivipelto Miia , Lehtisalo Jenni ,   FINGER study group
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundFinnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER) is a randomized trial that showed beneficial effect on cognition with a 2‐year multidomain lifestyle intervention. One of the four multidomain intervention components was diet and we have earlier shown that overall adherence to the FINGER dietary intervention goals was associated with better cognition. Here our aim is to investigate how the individual components of the dietary adherence score are associated with cognitive performance during the 2‐year period.MethodThe FINGER cohort included 1259 individuals at risk of dementia aged 60‐77 years at baseline, randomized into the multidomain intervention (n = 631) or the control group (n = 628). They underwent extensive data collection annually (total of 3 assessments), including detailed neuropsychological test battery (NTB) and a 3‐day food record. Adherence to dietary intervention was evaluated on 9 items based on dietary recommendations: intake of saturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, sucrose, fiber, protein, alcohol, vegetables, fruits, and fish. Data analyses were completed with mixed‐effects regression.ResultThe goal for low alcohol intake was inversely associated with cognition at baseline, but no other dietary items showed cross‐sectional associations. Reaching the goal for saturated fat, fiber, vegetables, fruits, and fish predicted better cognitive change at two years (p <0.05 for goal*time each). Results were similar when continuous variables rather than dichotomized goals were investigated. Intake of polyunsaturated fats additionally predicted better cognitive change and vegetable intake showed positive cross‐sectional association with cognition. There were no significant interactions with the study group.ConclusionSix out of nine FINGER dietary goals predicted a favorable cognitive change over time, indicating that a dietary pattern adherence with general dietary recommendations is beneficial for brain health. However, alcohol intake goal, i.e. lower alcohol intake, was associated with worse cognition; and cut‐offs for polyunsaturated fats based on the recommendations appeared suboptimal. The FINGER dietary adherence score should be compared with food‐based dietary patterns like Mediterranean Diet to investigate if nutrient intakes should be better taken into account when analyzing diet in relation to cognitive performance.
Psycho‐social risk factors for worse cognitive performance in sexual minority older adults
Authors: Manca Riccardo , Venneri Annalena 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundSexual minority older adults (SMOA) may have a greater risk of developing cognitive impairment than heterosexual older adults (HOA), but currently available findings are inconsistent. Minority stress (i.e. sexual orientation‐related stigma) has been suggested to drive worse cognitive health in this population. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate whether minority stress and other risk factors for worse cognition in SMOA, namely depression and marital status, were associated with worse cognitive performance in SMOA.MethodA total of 336 SMOA and 5561 HOA participants aged 50+, non‐institutionalised and free from neurodegenerative diseases from Wave 6 of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing were included. Cognitive performance (i.e. temporal orientation, episodic memory and fluid intelligence) of SMOA and HOA was compared using general linear models including age, sex and education as covariates. The impact of depressive symptoms, marital status and minority stress on cognition in the two groups was also investigated. Weighting was performed to correct for sampling probability and differential non‐response.ResultSMOA were more likely to be single and to report stressful social experiences due to sexual orientation than HOA participants. SMOA had better episodic memory than HOA and depressive symptoms and being single were associated with worse cognitive performance across all tests. Associations between cognitive performance and all risk factors were found not to be significantly different between the two groups. However, minority stress was negatively associated (b = ‐2.116, p = 0.016) with fluid intelligence in the SMOA group only.ConclusionConsistently with previous evidence, the SMOA had better episodic memory performance than the HOA group and both more severe depression and not being in a relationship had a generalised detrimental impact on cognition. However, this study provided the first evidence of a potential negative impact of a proxy measure of minority stress on cognitive performance, i.e. worse fluid intelligence, in SMOA. Further investigations are needed to assess minority stress more comprehensively and to clarify the potential mechanisms driving decline in both self‐reported and objectively assessed cognitive health in SMOA.
A clinical trial of cognitive and biological effects of citrus phytochemicals in subjective cognitive decline: baseline sociodemographic, clinical, and cognitive characteristics
Authors: Gatti Elena , Sgrò Giovanni , Fiorito Serena , Genovese Salvatore , Marchetti Lorenzo , Palumbo Lucia , Frisoni Giovanni , Pievani Michela , Epifano Francesco , Galluzzi Samantha 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundWe designed a clinical trial to evaluate cognitive and biological effects of a 36‐week treatment with citrus peel extract in older adults with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04744922). Here we present baseline sociodemographic, clinical, and cognitive characteristics of the enrolled subjects.MethodEighty subjects were enrolled between April 2021 and August 2022, and randomly assigned to receive either active treatment (400 mg citrus peel extract standardized in content of auraptene ‐ 0.1 mg ‐ and naringenin – 3 mg) or placebo in a 1:1 ratio for 36 weeks. Data about nutritional state and comorbidity, current therapy, health‐related behaviours, cognitive performance on verbal and non‐verbal memory, attention, executive and visuospatial functions were collected. Differences between groups (termed group A and B to avoid unblinding – the treatment allocation is unknown to the investigators) were compared using independent t‐test or Fisher’s exact test.ResultThe enrolled subjects have a mean age of 69.2±4.3 years, a high level of education (mean 13.7±3.5 years) and a higher prevalence of females (75%), with no significant differences between groups A and B. Nutritional state and comorbidity were similar (Body Mass Index: 25.1±4.8 vs 24.0±3.9, p = .27 and Cumulative Illness Rating Scale: 1.46±0.22 vs 1.51±0.24, p = .38, groups A and B, respectively). The most frequent concurrent therapies included cardiovascular system and alimentary tract and metabolism drugs, with no significant differences between A and B (55% vs 63%, p = .32; 61% vs 66%, p = .41, respectively). Health‐related behaviours were also similar between A and B (Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener: 9.0±1.9 vs 8.8±1.8; Smoking: 13% vs 8%; Alcohol consumption: wine 81% vs 83%, coffee consumption 93% vs 88%, all p = >.30). Cognitive scores were all within the normal range and similar between groups, except for the Wisconsin Card Sorting test total score, where group A performed marginally better than group B (27.9±21.6 vs 40.7±32.2, p = .049).ConclusionThe trial is expected to complete the longitudinal assessment in April 2023. The results of this trial will enable to evaluate the efficacy of citrus phytochemicals in SCD, informing the design of future nutritional interventions in people at risk of decline cognitive.
Attitudes and Practices towards the use of technology‐screening tools, diagnosis, and management of cognitive impairment in primary care
Authors: Almirall‐Sanchez Arianna , Rodriguez‐Velasco Arianne , Llibre‐Guerra Jorge J , Rodriguez‐Salgado Ana M , Peñalver Ana Ibis , Rodriguez Juan J Llibre 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundPrevious studies in the Cuban population suggest that Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias (ADRD) are under‐diagnosed at primary care relative to population estimates. Recent interventions aimed to introduce the use of technology based cognitive assessments have been validated for primary care (e.g., Brain Health Assessment).However, the implementation of newly develop tools depends on the Primary care providers’ (PCPs) barrier and attitudes toward the diagnosis and management of patients with ADRD at a primary care level. Here we aimed to assess PCPs’ attitudes towards ADRD diagnosis, and the use of technology based cognitive assessments.Method84 PCPs were randomly selected form 10 primary care clinics. Sample size include a wide range of PCPs, including: family medicine (n = 54), neurologist (n = 2), psychiatrists(n = 13), psychologists(n = 10), clinicians (n = 3) and geriatricians (n = 2)). A questionnaire on Dementia assessment and management in primary care settings was administered to the participants. Descriptive statistics were employed for summarizing the data. Kruskal Wallis association test was utilized for determining associations between provider characteristics and outcomes.ResultsMost participants were female (n = 64, 76.2%), over 50 years old (n = 36, 52.9%) and family medicine practitioners (64.3%). The average number of patients consulted per month by PCPs were 250 (CI95% 250‐367) and over 60% of them were 55 years or older. Most of the PCPs (n = 63, 75.0%) will not refer patients with suspected ADRD if they had the training and instruments and technologies for the diagnosis at a primary care level. Lack of time (n = 59, 70.2%) and lack of confidence in their abilities (n = 68, 81.0%) were the most cited barriers for the diagnosis and management of ADRD . Around 80.0% of the interviewed practitioners considered the use of technology based cognitive assessments as important or very important tool for ADRD diagnosis. The positive attitudes of the PCPs for using technologies were correlated with the municipalities where they work (p = 0.01) and the continuous professional development of the PCPs (p = 0.03).ConclusionThere are still barriers for the diagnosis of ADRD at a primary care level. Though PCPs are willing to implement technology based cognitive assessments in their daily practice, addressing existing barriers is key for success
Synaptic vs Extrasynaptic NMDA receptors distribution in Alzheimer’s human brain
Authors: Escamilla Sergio , Badillos‐Rodriguez Raquel , Solé Montse , Comella Joan X , Pérez‐Otaño Isabel , Sánchez‐Mut José Vicente , Cuchillo‐Ibañez Inmaculada , Sáez‐Valero Javier 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe malfunction of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) is believed to play a key role in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), the most prevalent type of dementia. NMDARs are activated in different ways: activation at synapses leads to synaptic plasticity, while activation outside of synapses causes excitotoxicity, harm to mitochondria, and cell death. The objective of our research is to better understand the distribution of NMDARs in the brain of individuals with AD, specifically focusing on the distinction between synaptically and extrasynaptically activated NMDARs.MethodOur research involved separating the synaptic and extrasynaptic membranes from the frontal cortex of both Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) patients and individuals without dementia. We examined the quantity of NMDAR subunits GluN1, GluN2B, and GluN2A. Additionally, we investigated the phosphorylation of GluN2B at Y1472 and Y1336, which are linked to synaptic and extrasynaptic membranes, respectively. To achieve our goal, we employed two distinct mouse models of AD: TAUP301S and APPswe/PS1dE9.ResultOur findings revealed that in comparison to non‐demented individuals, the levels of GluN1, GluN2B, GluN2A, and pY1472‐GluN2B at synaptic membranes were lower in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) patients. At extrasynaptic membranes, we observed an elevation in GluN2B levels and a decline in Y1336‐GluN2B phosphorylation. We also found that the changes in GluN2B phosphorylation were consistent with the APPswe/PS1dE9 mouse models of AD.ConclusionOur research discovered that levels of GluN1, GluN2B, GluN2A, and pY1472‐GluN2B were decreased at the synaptic membranes of Alzheimer’s Disease patients compared to individuals without dementia. Additionally, an increase of GluN2B levels and a decrease in Y1336‐GluN2B phosphorylation were seen at extrasynaptic membranes. Furthermore, the alterations in GluN2B phosphorylation were also mirrored in the APPswe/PS1dE9 mouse models for AD.
A preliminary in vitro study on Adult Neural Stem cells from 3xTg mice
Authors: Cerqueni Giorgia , Piccirillo Silvia , Terenzi Valentina , Preziuso Alessandra , Serfilippi Tiziano , Amoroso Salvatore , Lariccia Vincenzo , Orciani Monia , Magi Simona 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundIn AD, abnormalities in brain wiring and variations of the brain energetic metabolism are considered a key pathological framework of cognitive decline (Heininger, 2000). Neural stem cells (NSCs) can contribute to brain regeneration and, their transplantation improves the behaviour of neurodegenerative mice models (De Gioia et.al., 2021) although, the molecular mechanisms involved are still unidentified. Our preliminary study aims to explore the potential differences between NSCs‐derived neurons from 6‐months‐old healthy and AD mice in terms of neuronal network morphology. Furthermore, the study wants to provide a tool to investigate whether cell energy metabolism is modified, considering that bioenergetic failure can influence the regenerative potential of adult AD brain, an issue that is still ill defined.MethodNSCs were isolated from subventricular zone of healthy (H) and 3xTg (AD) mice. NSCs selection was based on their ability to proliferate and to form 3D floating neurospheres. Isolated cells were amplified and characterised for their expression of stem‐related markers. Subsequently, neuron and astrocyte differentiation protocols were set up. Morphological analyses were performed on H and AD NSC‐derived neurons and the expressions of glutamate transporters and sodium/calcium exchangers (NCXs) were investigated.ResultH and AD NSCs were strongly positive for Nestin and Sox2 stem markers and a faint expression of NeuN and Gfap, markers related to neuron and astrocyte mature phenotype respectively, was detected. These data confirmed the purity of the cell cultures as well as the reliability of the protocols. Morphological investigations highlighted a different distribution of the neurite network between NSCs‐derived neurons isolated from H and AD mice. Furthermore, H and AD mature cells expressed glutamate transporters essential not only for cellular transmission but also for energy production by their interplay with NCXs.ConclusionPreliminary data suggest that the pathological features of adult neurons from AD brain can be traced back to “stem level” and continue during differentiation. The different morphological organization of neurite network observed in NSCs‐derive AD neurons could be involved in the alteration of the impulse transmission and plasticity. Further studies will be necessary to better clarify the consequence of dysregulated glutamate transporters as well the role of astrocytes.