bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of a Hybrid Dementia Education Program for College Students: New Friends
Authors: Paniagua Uriel , Nuttkinson Bonnie L. , Spensley Sheryl , Schroeder Molly , Kelble Laura M. , Eastman Alexis M. , Young Zoe X. , LeCaire Tamara J. , Morhardt Darby J. , Walaszek Art , Carlsson Cynthia M. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackground“New Friends” at the University of Wisconsin‐Madison pairs undergraduate and graduate students with mentors living with mild cognitive impairment or dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease or other related dementias (ADRD) and their caregivers. The 7‐month program aims to improve student understanding of living with memory loss, cultivate relationships beyond clinical practice, and bolster interest in dementia care. Modeled on Northwestern University’s Buddy Program, the in‐person program transitioned to a virtual format during the COVID‐19 pandemic. We sought to evaluate program impact following this transition.MethodsThroughout the program, students met with mentors monthly in‐person, by phone, or virtually, and documented their experiences. Student presentations were led by various guest speakers.Students were tested on dementia knowledge before and after the program, and asked to rate improvement in understanding, including academic and psychosocial knowledge (1 = minimal; 5 = great). Mentors completed a reflection survey about their experience and its impact on self‐esteem, self‐efficacy and quality of life. Findings before and after the format transition were summarized.ResultsFrom 2014‐2019, 72 students enrolled in the program, compared to 115 from 2020‐2022 during the virtual/hybrid format. Student knowledge increased for both in‐person and virtual/hybrid formats (p‐value<0.01). Self‐rated academic and psychosocial knowledge gains were similar between formats (mean 3.9 and 4.2, respectively, for in‐person participants, and 3.6 and 3.8, respectively, for virtual/hybrid participants). Two‐thirds (66%) of in‐person and 77% of virtual/hybrid respondents indicated having had misconceptions on ADRD challenged. Mentors were satisfied and rated improvements owing to the program with both formats. Many mentors have participated for multiple years.ConclusionThe “New Friends” transition to a virtual/hybrid format provided increased flexibility, access and was well received by participants. The program had a positive impact on student knowledge and misconceptions. Many participated in the program because of their interest in aging, geriatrics, or dementia. Extending the program to students, whether virtually or in‐person, may broaden their approach to treating patients with memory loss and increase the number of students pursuing work in the field of dementia care. Further efforts to evaluate the longitudinal impact of this program are underway.
Cultural‐centered approaches to adapt a cognitive assessment tool in indigenous communities from Amazonas: the role of participant‐researcher partnerships
Authors: Souza‐Talarico Juliana Nery , Bezerra Camila Carlos , Toledo Noeli N , Duarte Vanessa Vasconcellos 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundIndigenous are still underrepresented in dementia research limiting advancements for risk reduction and intervention globally. Historical injustice against indigenous communities led to mistrust in the health system and research, representing the roots of current barriers in research participation and assessment. An approach that recognizes the cultural influences and integrates the stakeholders’ perspectives into the study design can promote trustful partnerships and consequently facilitate research participation. Here, we describe the cultural‐centered steps to adapt a cognitive assessment tool in an indigenous community and the strategies to build and maintain a trustful participant‐researcher relationship.Methods137 indigenous, 50 years and older (age = 61.7; education = 5.7) from Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, applied the Brazilian Indigenous Cognitive Assessment (BRICA) tool, adapted from the original Australian version. Group meetings, individual consultations, home visits, written, electronic, and video testimonials were adopted to implement a culture‐centered approach, and to detect related outcomes, and participant‐researcher experiences.ResultsSix culture‐centered steps and related outcomes were detected: 1)connecting research, health system and community stakeholders to discuss study goals and community approach; 2)building the participant‐researcher partnership: professors, interdisciplinary undergraduate students; nursing assistant and community members; 3)disseminating the project using video messages from the indigenous leader and home visits for screening; 4)bringing the community perspectives to BRICA design: first version modified to accommodate language and cultural elements that represented the indigenous reality; 5)collecting data: BRICA applied in individual consultations; and 6)examining community and researcher partnership experiences: interpersonal, linguistic, geographical and safety barriers detected, and strategies implemented; video and written testimonials revealed the stakeholders experiences and study positive impact in the participant‐researcher relationship. Additional benefits included: dementia awareness and concerns among indigenous, primary prevention promoted, participants’ healthcare needs were referred, and researchers detected other conditions for future investigations.ConclusionA cultural‐centered approach that integrates the participants' and researchers' perspectives, from the study design to implementation, successfully contributed to adapting an indigenous‐friendly cognitive assessment tool. Our findings suggest that recognizing the historical and cultural influences on the participant‐researcher relationship to design a cultural‐centered approach can contribute to building trustful and sustained partnerships that ultimately overcome the recruitment and assessment barriers in dementia research.
Targeting the Interactions of Small GTPase ARF with C9ORF72:SMCR8:WDR41 Complexes Implicated in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Frontotemporal Dementia
Authors: Azimian Fereshteh , Chen Yan‐Hua , Lu Qun 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundC9ORF72 plays important roles in many cellular processes, including autophagy, membrane trafficking and immune response. The C9ORF72 mutation is the most common cause of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/frontotemporal dementia (ALS/FTD) which is attributed to both gain‐ and loss‐of‐function mechanisms. C9ORF72 forms a complex with SMCR8 and WDR41, which was reported to regulate signaling of small GTPases such as Rab and ARF proteins. Developing small molecules that modulate interfacial C9ORF72:SMCR8:WDR41 (CSW) and small GTPase interactions will aid in understanding their mode of actions and the potential roles of GTP‐dependent signaling in ALS/FTD. Since the C9ORF72 complex has been shown to elicit prominent GTPase activating protein (GAP) activity on ARF, a major regulator of membrane traffic, we aimed to develop novel small molecules that interfere with the binding between the C9ORF72 complex and ARF1.MethodTo identify novel ligands to interfere with the binding between CSW complex and ARF1, we applied in silico virtual screening methods. To this end, the crystal structure of the CSW in complex with ARF1 (PDB: 7MGE) was used for screening of 40,183,714 chemicals available in Mcule database to find hit compound (s).ResultWe defined the binding pocket in the interface of ARF1 and CSW complex including all essential amino acid residues. For filtering the compounds, stringent criteria such as the number of rotatable bonds and the number of heavy atoms were applied. The top 100 hits were identified using this structure‐based virtual screening which show various interactions with the defined binding site of target. Next, the prepared library (the 100 identified Hits) was used as input for virtual screening using Schrodinger software. Flexible docking was performed using Glide program running under LINUX operating system. Based on vina scoring function, 10% of most active compounds that showed the best docking scores were identified and kept for further analysis.ConclusionRational design, computer‐aided, and in silico screening help developing pharmacological modulators to regulate C9ORF72‐ARF signaling and investigate their potential roles in ALS/FTD.Acknowledgement: This study is supported in part by NIH GM146257 on ALS² Initiative and by The Wooten Foundation.
Sleep and electroencephalography biomarkers in preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Dude Jason , Boyd Jill , Hamilton Raiyan , Ju Yo‐El 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundAccumulating evidence supports a bi‐directional relationship between sleep and Alzheimer’s Disease, including sleep disruptions in preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease (pAD), prior to onset of overt cognitive symptoms. Subsequently, sleep phenotypic variables and electroencephalography (EEG) features are attractive noninvasive biomarkers for pAD. The Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease in Sleep and EEG (BASE) study seeks to develop such sleep‐EEG biomarkers for pAD.MethodCommunity‐dwelling participants (n = 52, mean age: 70.8 ± 4.5 years) underwent cognitive testing including Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA, general cognition), Craft Story 21 (CS21, memory), and Trails A and B (visuospatial, executive); performance was z‐scored by age, sex, and education. Objective measures of sleep quality were obtained using actigraphy over 4‐14 (mean 9.1) days at home: wake time after sleep onset (WASO), number of awakenings (NoA), and sleep efficiency. In‐lab overnight polysomnography was performed, and EEG features were extracted during NREM sleep from F3, F4, C3, and C4 channels: relative slow and fast delta power (RSDP, RFDP), spindle density, and slow wave density. The following morning (9‐10AM), CSF was obtained by fasted lumbar puncture, and assessed for amyloid‐b‐42 and tau; pAD was determined by tau/amyloid‐b‐42 ratio. Correlations between cognitive performance and EEG /sleep variables were performed using linear models, adjusted for age, sex, education, and sleep apnea status. Interaction between pAD status and correlations were assessed.ResultThere were 36 biomarker‐negative healthy controls (HC) and 16 with pAD; groups did not significantly differ demographically. RSDP and WASO were negatively associated with CS21 (RSDP: p = 0.040; WASO: p = 0.034). RFDP and NoA interacted with pAD status for MOCA (RFDP: p = 0.010; NoA: p = 0.026), and RFDP interacted with pAD status for CS21 (p = 0.017).ConclusionWe assessed objective sleep quality and sleep‐EEG features against cognitive performance, and any interaction with pAD status. Worse sleep quality was associated with worse memory performance. Among the EEG features assessed, RFDP was strongly negatively correlated with memory performance in those with pAD, suggesting neurophysiological aberrations of NREM sleep in this cohort.
Targeted Proteomics in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Vasanthakumar Aparna , Kulkarni Ameya S 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundIdentifying biomarkers associated with neurodegenerative diseases and their progression may enable patient enrichment and improve clinical trial designs.MethodGenomic studies have revealed correlations between genetics, transcriptomics, and epigenetics with disease pathology and diagnosis in the brain and peripheral blood. For example, previous studies have showed that rate of cognitive decline estimated by slopes of cognitive scores associated with change in DNA methylation.ResultSeveral of these genomic marks point to proteomic changes, especially given the chromosomal location of these differentially expressed or methylated marks. Moreover, since proteins represent a key class of biomolecules that will help illustrate real‐time human biology, we tested a targeted proteomic analysis using the Olink platform.ConclusionData from the analysis of targeted proteomic analysis in the context of clinical data as well other omics datasets for the same participants will be discussed at this session.
Neuroimaging of new and novel Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) mice from the MODEL AD Consortium
Authors: Obenaus Andre , Stark Craig E.L. , Wu Yu‐Chien , Territo Paul R 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe ability of preclinical neuroimaging in rodent models of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD) to assess the progression of disease is increasingly providing novel insights into AD, like human AD imaging. Preclinical studies have the advantage of being able to directly correlate findings to the observed neuropathology. Recently, University of California Irvine and Indiana University School of Medicine along with Jackson Laboratories were awarded funding to design and phenotype relevant mouse models of late onset AD (LOAD), forming the MODEL AD consortium (https://www.model‐ad.org/). Imaging cores from these will utilize existing state of the art translationally relevant medical imaging methodologies as well as ascertain feasibility of emerging imaging methods for increased diagnostic sensitivity.MethodsTwo primary imaging modalities will be utilized: high‐field MRI (9.4T and 17.6T) and PET/CT. Deep MRI phenotyping are based on the accepted human‐AD standards like ADNI (Structural T2W, FLAIR, diffusion, perfusion (PWI), susceptibility, and functional MRI and MR spectroscopy). Novel histological vessel painting combined with PWI will assess vascular modifications. PET imaging will evaluate brain metabolism (18F‐FDG), regional perfusion (64Cu‐PTSM), amyloid (18F‐AV45), tau (18F‐AV1451), neuroinflammation (18F‐CPPC and 18F‐GSK1482160), and astrogliosis (18F‐FEBU) markers in new mouse models.ResultsMODEL AD consortia will utilize platform mice (Table 1) across their lifespans and effects after being fed a high fat diet. Known and emerging GWAS risk variants for AD will be added to these platform mice to better replicate human AD. Neuroimaging data will be presented from PET/CT and MRI, focusing on exemplars from relevant AD mouse models including platform mice. A long‐term goal of the MODEL‐AD Imaging cores is to co‐register MRI, PET/CT and vascular measures to concordant histopathological and spatial RNA data. The cores have developed state‐of‐the‐art analytical pipelines to process imaging data to support spatial and temporal localization of ADRD.ConclusionsThe MODEL AD consortium (UCI/IUSM/Jax) will develop new and novel AD mouse models and the imaging cores will deeply phenotype these models using existing and emerging neuroimaging methods and analytic approaches, using MRI and PET/CT. All data will be made available to AD researchers via the Sage Knowledge Network (https://adknowledgeportal.synapse.org/).
Neuroticism, cognition and depression: do those with greater neuroticism have more cognitive decline among depressed elderly individuals?
Authors: Kahtalian Lais Lundstedt , Ribeiz Salma Rose Imanari , Neubern Patricia Cardoso Buchain , Filho Geraldo Busatto , Gonçalves Eduardo C Q , Marques Fernanda Mariotti 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundNeuroticism is a multidimensional personality characteristic related to a predisposition to experience psychological distress and negative mood states, and it may be an indicator of worse cognitive and mood outcomes in older adults. It is one type of personality trait described by Costa and McCrae on the Five‐Factor Model of Personality. Evidence shows that higher neuroticism scores contribute to chronic stress response that induces neuronal dysfunction, increasing susceptibility to cognitive decline and dementia. However, few studies were conducted previously evaluating associations between neuroticism, depression and cognitive decline.MethodSubjects consist of 76 elderly depressed individuals who were treated over 24 weeks at the Institute of Psychiatry of the Faculty of Medicine in the University of São Paulo. The study subjects were selected from a pool of outpatients and were included in the study if they met the DSM‐5 criteria for major depression and were at least 60 years old at baseline enrollment. Those with evident cognitive impairment (Mini Mental State Examination <13) were excluded.At baseline, subjects received standardized clinical assessments administered by a geriatric psychiatrist, including: Mini Mental State Examination; CAMCOG, translated and adapted for Brazilian population; and Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). The personality assessment was performed using the NEO‐FFI inventory. Correlations will be performed using Pearson’s linear coefficient for correlations of numerical variables and Spearman’s for ordinal variables.ResultThe sample was predominantly female, with a mean age of 69.1 ± 6.6, low education (70.4% studied up to elementary school), and 45.7% lived with a partner. To understand the relationship between personality factors and cognition parameters, correlations will be conducted and controlled by age and sex.ConclusionThe evaluation of neuroticism is relevant as this personality trait may impact therapeutic interventions, leading to poorer outcomes and worsening cognitive and functional disabilities.
High‐density lipoprotein particle size distribution among patients with Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment, and age‐matched controls
Authors: Zheng Jack Jingyuan , Hong Brian V. , Agus Joanne , Tang Xinyu , Guo Fei , Lebrilla Carlito B. , Harvey Danielle J. , Jin Lee‐Way , Maezawa Izumi , Zivkovic Angela M. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundHigh‐density lipoproteins (HDL) are protective against several chronic diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The size distribution of HDL particles is one of the determining factors of HDL function since HDL of various sizes subgroups play unique roles. Yet not much is known about HDL particle size distribution in the context of AD.MethodIn this study negative‐stained transmission electron microscopy (NS‐TEM) was used to explore the particle size distribution of isolated HDL samples from 194 subjects with AD (n = 71), mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n = 40), or no cognitive impairment (n = 83). HDL particles were isolated using density‐adjusted ultracentrifugation followed by size exclusion chromatography and analyzed by NS‐TEM followed by image analysis using the software ImageJ. Individual particle diameter data were obtained, grouped into different size‐based categories and the relative abundances of each subgroup were compared among diagnostic groups and across clinical parameters.ResultPatients with AD and MCI had a significantly higher percentage of 7‐8 nm HDL particles and a lower percentage of 9‐10 nm, 12‐13 nm, and 13‐14 nm particles. Body mass index, clinical dementia rating score, and white matter hyperintensity volume were positively correlated with the percentage of 7‐8 nm particles and negatively correlated with the percentage of 9‐10 nm particles, whereas executive score, semantic memory score, and verbal memory score were negatively correlated with the percentage of 7‐8 nm particles, and positively correlated with the percentage of 9‐10 nm particles.ConclusionThese findings show that specific alterations in HDL particle size distribution in patients with AD and MCI are linked with measures of cognitive function and may be a promising direction for the discovery of new biomarkers and therapeutic targets in AD.
Leptin peptides and the Implications on Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: CALIO MICHELE LONGONI , Massinhani Fernando H , Porcionatto Marimelia Aparecida , Marinho Darci Souza 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundObesity and neurodegeneration are growing health problems worldwide. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent cause of progressive dementia in the elderly population. AD is characterized by the combined presence of extracellular plaques formed by β‐amyloid peptide and intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles of abnormally hyperphosphorylated Tau protein. Several studies have shown that obesity is a risk factor for dementia. Leptin, initially described as the hormone responsible for controlling food intake and energy expenditure, also has other important physiological functions related to neuronal activity, proliferation and protection. With the discovery that neurogenesis persists in the brain of adult mammals, including brain regions affected by AD, many studies aim to stimulate this physiological process in various areas of the brain for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases to repair and/or prevent neural loss. These regions also express the long form of the LepRb leptin receptor and are the first regions to be affected by chronic neurocognitive deficits.MethodGiven the neurogenic potential of leptin, the main objective of this study is to analyze and compare the action of this hormone with synthetic peptides (PEP) on cell proliferation, differentiation and Aβ plaque formation in two of the main neurogenic niches in AD model mice.ResultThe expression of glial, neuoblast and Aβ markers were detected by immunohistochemistry. We observed that animals treated with PEP4 had a significant increase in the proportion of BrdU/DCX+ cells regardless the age and animal model. Our results also show that treatment with PEP4 was able to significantly decrease the amount of Aβ plaques in the hippocampus of AD model animals. However, it is observed that this decrease is significantly smaller than when compared to that produced by leptin, demonstrating that it is more effective in reducing the number of Aβ plaques in the hippocampus region.ConclusionWe believe that a better understanding of the mechanisms of the pathological processes that cause AD and how altered leptin signaling affects these processes could lead to the development of early therapies for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Longitudinal adversity, mental health and cognition pre‐ and during Covid‐19
Authors: Bauermeister Sarah 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundOur previous research shows that self‐report early adversity (EA) is associated with poorer cognition and mental health. Importantly, poor mental health is also associated with both cognitive decline and dementia. However, longitudinal work in understanding long term effects of early and adult adversity (AA) on cognitive change is limited. Disentangling adversity types is complex and the mechanisms underlying long term effect are still to be understood. Our aim in this project was to investigate the relationship between EA and AA, and longitudinal mental health and cognition. In this study we also include assessments during Covid‐19 to explore the effects of a high stress load experience on previous and existing longitudinal adversity and mental health.MethodOur work was conducted using the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA UK) and data from 15,355 individuals with a mean age of 64.56 years at timepoint 1 (wave 3), 66.01 years (wave 6) and 67.49 years (wave 9) at timepoints 2, 3 and 68.66 years (Covid wave), we applied a longitudinal panel structural equation model (SEM) to the data. We assessed the effects and interrelationships of EA (self‐report retrospective) measured at timepoint 1 and AA (partner relationship strain) at timepoints 1‐3 on depression and cognition measured at timepoints 1‐3 and on mental health during the Covid‐19 pandemic.ResultEA (timepoint 1) was associated with increased incidence of AA at all longitudinal timepoints (p <.01), also with higher depression at timepoints 1 and 2 (p <,.01), poorer cognition (verbal fluency) at timepoint 3 (p <.05) and increased depression (p <.01) and anxiety (p <.05) during the Covid‐19 pandemic. AA was associated with higher depression at all timepoints (p <.001) and poorer cognition (verbal fluency and memory) at timepoint 3 (p <.01; p <.05).ConclusionThe deleterious effect of life course adversity on longitudinal mental health and cognition are significant and during the Covid‐19 pandemic, the effect on depression was significant even when controlling for previous depression. Our results suggest that accumulative stress response may be implicated.