bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Associations between balance, strength and incident dementia in older men: the Health in Men Study
Authors: Trevenen Michelle L , Paterson Jack , Hill Keith , Almeida Osvaldo P , Yeap Bu , Golledge Jonathan , Hankey Graeme , Flicker Leon 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundIncreased amount of physical activity has been associated with reduced incidence of dementia. It is less clear whether the discrete physical performance measures of balance and strength are associated with dementia incidence. We investigated whether baseline measures of balance and strength were associated with incident dementia.MethodA cohort of 1,314 men with no recorded history of dementia, aged 79‐97 underwent physical performance assessments between 2011 and 2013. These assessments were performed during wave 4 of the Health in Men Study, initially recruiting participants 1996‐9 in Perth, Australia. Balance was assessed with a modified Balance Outcome Measure for Elder Rehabilitation (mBOOMER) score: a combination of three tests, the Timed Up and Go, Step and Functional Reach Tests. Strength was tested using knee extension with a spring dynamometer, measured in kilograms. Incident dementia was identified up to December 2017 from the Western Australian Data Linkage System and the national Aged Care Assessment Program. Data were analysed using Cox proportional hazards models. Balance and strength measures were entered as restricted cubic splines to allow for non‐linear relationships. Models were adjusted for sociodemographic, lifestyle and health variables, including hours of physical activity.ResultA total of 187 (14.2%) incident cases of dementia were identified. Higher (better) mBOOMER scores were associated with decreased risk of incident dementia, with greater changes in risk occurring at higher scores (1 vs 0: HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.81‐1.01, 6 vs 5: HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.81‐1.01, 9 vs 8: HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.70‐0.84, 12 vs 11: HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.37‐0.69). Higher knee extension strength was associated with a decreased risk of incident dementia, with greater changes occurring at lower levels then plateauing at around 25 kilograms (5kg vs 4kg: HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.89‐0.97, 15kg vs 14kg: HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.89‐0.97, 25kg vs 24kg: HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.95‐1.02, 35kg to 34kg: HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.95‐1.06). Relationships remained after excluding those with a dementia diagnosis within two years of baseline physical performance assessment.ConclusionBetter balance and strength are both associated with decreased risk of developing dementia, thus representing potentially modifiable risk factors.
Caregivers use of technology delivered intervention: The role of computer proficiency
Authors: Thompson Amber , Utz Rebecca , Sparks Catharine , Wong Bob , Iacob Eli , Terrill Alexandra , Caserta Michael 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundTechnology delivered interventions are becoming increasingly common as they are considered a cost‐efficient and an effective way to deliver self‐administered education and support to caregivers. These technology‐based interventions have been shown to benefit caregivers by increasing their ability to help cope with caregiver stress. There are also potential challenges associated with technology use such as lack of “meaningful access” to technology systems for some segments of the population (e.g., older adults, individuals of lower socio‐economic status) and usability problems. The purpose of this study is to explore the role of caregiver characteristics and competencies when evaluating the effectiveness of technology‐based interventions.MethodTime for Living and Caring (TLC) is an on‐line intervention that provides virtual coaching and self‐administered education and resources to caregivers, with the primary goal of helping them schedule and maximize the utility of their respite time. We conducted a pilot test, where Alzheimer’s and related dementia caregivers (n = 159) used the tool for 16 weeks. Our baseline survey of participants employed the Computer Proficiency Questionnaire, or CPQ‐12, to measure various computer proficiencies. This score was then used to investigate differences in overall appraisal of the intervention and self‐reported caregiver outcomes post intervention.ResultOur findings indicate that CPQ does decrease by age (P>|t| = .000), but that the TLC intervention received favorable reviews despite one’s CPQ score. This includes participant’s self‐perceived benefits, willingness to recommend the intervention to others, and their own willingness to use TLC in the future. It is noted that this sample was highly educated and proficient with technology. This is part selection, given the nature of the study and recruitment strategies. However, these findings also challenge the narrative that older adults are less capable or willing to use on‐line resources.ConclusionOverall, computer proficiency was lower among older participants as expected, but computer proficiency was not associated with the evaluation of the intervention or the benefits to caregiver well‐being. Using a design process that focuses on universal design principals, and considers the needs and characteristics of the target population, appears to increase accessibility and usability of technology delivered intervention for caregiver support.
Quantifying tau deposition with the Parametric Estimation of Reference Signal Intensity: a 18F‐PI2620 tau‐PET and 4R‐tauopathy study
Authors: Dilcher Roxane , Taylor Callum , Malpas Charles B , O’Brien Terence , Vivash Lucy 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundTau positron emission tomography (PET) can detect abnormal tau in neurodegenerative diseases. Conventional reference regions show high PET signal variability and are susceptible to contamination from partial‐volume effects of tracer uptake. The parametric estimation of reference signal intensity (PERSI) has been introduced as a new method to overcome those issues in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The current study investigates its applicability on patients with underlying 4R‐tauopathy with the radiotracer 18F‐PI‐2620.MethodIn this preliminary, cross‐sectional analysis, 9 patients with clinically suspected 4R‐tauopathy underwent T1‐weighted MRI and 0‐60 min dynamic 18F‐PI‐2620 PET scanning. PERSI identified voxels within the white matter without specific binding for use as a reference region, which was compared with conventional anatomically defined reference regions. Time‐activity curves (TAC) and standardized uptake value ratios in the time window of 20‐40 min (SUVr20‐40) were generated for regions of interest (frontal lobe and globus pallidum). Data was analysed with FSL, PETSurfer, and R.ResultSUVr20‐40 in the globus pallidum were generally higher than in the frontal lobe for all reference regions (p < 0.001). Frontal lobe, but not globus pallidum SUVr20‐40 were lower when derived from PERSI than when using the cerebellum (p < 0.001) or pons (p < 0.001). When comparing TACs, the PERSI ROI did not show the rapid peak (perfusion) as seen in all other regions (both target and reference), resulting in an overestimation of SUVR in the early phases of the scan. However, activity was the same for all reference regions at later timepoints resulting in similar SUVr20‐40 measures in the globus pallidum.ConclusionPERSI derived reference regions do not provide an accurate estimate of early phase perfusion and as such are not appropriate for use as reference regions for reference tissue modelling of PET data. Nonetheless, PERSI provides a suitable reference region for late phase SUVR calculations which is particularly relevant for diseases and tracers were an anatomically defined reference region cannot be easily determined. Future analyses on a larger cohort will determine effect sizes and ROCs to see whether PERSI is a suitable semi‐quantitative investigation to compare between different methodologies and diagnostic groups.
Comparing the Classic Paired Associates Learning Task with a new Smartphone‐Based Version of the Task
Authors: Kaula Alexander J , Taptiklis Nick , Cormack Francesca K 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundPAL is a well‐known and trusted task with good sensitivity to deficiencies in memory capabilities as has been shown in hundreds of studies over the past two decades. There has been considerable interest in a smartphone version of PAL that can be used remotely, and Cambridge Cognition has now completed work on the first production version of this task. Here, we show how the task compares with classic PAL, in an online within‐subjects study. PAL may be used in repeated assessments, and one notable feature is that performance tends to improve most strongly between a first and second attempt at the task. We therefore included a first smartphone ‘Familiarisation’ session on Day One, before the Days Two and Three web and smartphone sessions.MethodWe obtained PAL scores from 76 adults (43m, 33f) aged 50+ (M = 56.3, SD = 5.46) using the Prolific online cognitive testing platform for this three‐day crossover‐design study. Participants were divided into two groups. In a first ‘Familiarisation’ session, all participants used their smartphones to complete a PAL assessment, then on Day Two, one group used the web‐based assessment, and the other used smartphone assessment, and on the last day each group changed device from the previous day’s session, as well as a questionnaire about their experience and comparison of the task in different devices.ResultsWe found that test‐retest reliability between the tasks was very good (Pearson’s r > .7) between the first (‘Familiarisation’) session and Day Two, and then excellent (Pearson’s r > .8) between mobile and web devices on Day Two and Day Three of the study. Next, when comparing performance across the two groups (web‐first, and smartphone‐first), bias was not significant and numerically a very small 0.2 adjusted error points. A significant improvement was seen between Familiarisation and Day Two, but not second and third, supporting the value of a familiarisation session.ConclusionWe found that the new smartphone version is highly comparable to the classic version of the task, and that familiarisation using PAL on smartphone is effective, generalising across both task versions.
Non‐Invasive Temporal Interference Hippocampal Stimulation in Early Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Alania Ketevan , Borella Julia , Violante Ines , Martin Evangelia , Rhodes Edward , Butler Christopher R. , Grossman Nir 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundLarge‐scale efforts to reverse or stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and associated cognitive decline have failed to produce viable treatment options, highlighting the need for new interventional strategies. A significant feature of AD is aberrant changes in brain network activity and dynamics, closely coupled with functional impairment and pathophysiology in deep brain structures, such as the hippocampus. In this study, we are investigating the effects of multi‐session, non‐invasive temporal interference (TI) electrical stimulation of the hippocampus in early‐stage AD patients. This follows our recent work where we demonstrated the efficacy of TI electrical stimulation to non‐invasively target and modulate activity in the hippocampus of healthy young adults and improve episodic memory performance.MethodThe study consists of transcranial TI stimulation of the hippocampus of 24 early‐stage AD patients daily, in 10 consecutive sessions. We assess the safety and tolerability of the stimulation via questionnaires, interviews and brain scans. Additionally, we explore effects on the pathophysiology and resting state brain dynamics, using a battery of brain imaging modalities: positron emission tomography (PET) of mitochondrial complex‐1, blood oxygen level‐dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD fMRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and arterial spin labelling (ASL). Finally, we explore the effects on cognitive performance using a battery of neurocognitive assessments.ResultHerein, we will report the outcome of the study’s interim analysis pertaining to safety, neuroimaging and behaviour modulation outcome measures.ConclusionHerein, we will report the conclusion of the study’s interim analysis pertaining to safety, neuroimaging and behaviour modulation outcome measures.
Quality of Life in People with Dementia with Lewy Bodies: a think‐aloud study informing economic outcome measurement
Authors: Kinchin Irina , Leroi Iracema 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundLittle is known about assessing the quality of life in economic evaluation in people with Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB). This study aimed to explore perspectives of people living with DLB, their insights, and preferences for assessing their quality of life with the goal of optimizing shared decision‐making and delivering person‐centred value‐based care that aligns with individual priorities and preferences.MethodA think‐aloud study, and an associated semi‐structured interview were conducted with people living with dementia, diagnosed, or waiting to receive a formal diagnosis and with the capacity to participate in the research recruited via memory services in Ireland and online support groups. During the interviews, participants were invited to reflect on a ‘good life’ and to ‘think aloud’ while completing four economic quality of life instruments with a perspective that goes beyond health (AD‐5D /QOL‐AD, AQOL‐4D, ICECAP‐O, ICECAP‐SCM). Qualitative data were analyzed using constant comparison.ResultAt the time of submission, 22 think‐aloud interviews had been conducted with people living with dementia of different diagnoses, including 10 interviews with people living with DLB. Preliminary findings indicate that factors such as personal and social relationships, being respected by others, and independence contribute significantly to the overall quality of life of a person living with DLB and evolve as the condition progresses.ConclusionAssessing quality of life in people with dementia is methodologically challenging. Economic quality of life instruments with a narrow health focus do not capture all aspects of a ‘good life’ that people living with DLB consider important. Implications of these findings warrant a broader economic quality of life instrument co‐designed with people living with DLB and their care partners.
Exploring the digital divide among immigrant older adults in the United States
Authors: Han Hae‐Ra ,   PLAN trial team
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe COVID‐19 pandemic has expedited the adoption of digital technology worldwide. Internet use has now become a part of the everyday life for the majority of the United States (US) citizens with over 90% of Americans having access to the internet. Nevertheless, the COVID‐19 pandemic shed a light on an issue of digital equity: the digital divide.MethodData for this analysis came from an ongoing, 5‐year multi‐site clinical trial involving community‐dwelling Korean immigrant older adults (65+ years) in the US. Korean older adults represents one of the fastest growing, yet some of the most vulnerable groups in the US due to their limited English proficiency. The primary goal of the trial is to test a community health worker‐led intervention program called PLAN—Preparing health aging through Dementia literacy And Navigation—designed to promote linkage to dementia care among Korean older adults with probable dementia. Potential participants go through cognitive screening using Mini‐Mental State Exam (MMSE) either in‐person or via Zoom to confirm eligibility. Using eligibility screening data, we investigated if mode of MMSE differed by key sociodemographic characteristics such as age, gender, years of education, and ethnic church attendance and cognitive status.ResultA total of 1,908 Korean older adults were included in the analysis. Nearly two‐thirds (64%) of those who completed MMSE did so in‐person. Logistic regression analysis revealed that age, years of education, and regular church attendance were significantly associated with the either mode of MMSE screening. Specifically, 1‐year increase in age and ethnic church attendance were associated with 5.5% and 1.8 times higher odds of using the in‐person mode (odds ratios = 1.055, p<0.001 and 1.801, p = 0.002, respectively), whereas 1‐year increase in education was associated with 10.9% lower odds of using the in‐person mode (odds ratio = 0.891, p<0.001). Gender and cognitive status were not found significant.ConclusionWith increasingly intertwined digital and social exclusion in our societies, the findings suggest that Korean immigrant older adults with lower education stay behind in adopting digital technologies such as Zoom. Future research should address ways in which digital literacy can be improved in the vulnerable population.
Relationship between inflammatory markers, compliance to the MIND diet and body composition in older adults without cognitive decline
Authors: Vigil‐Martinez Ana , Salinas‐Contreras Rosa Maria , Martínez‐Galindo Joyce Graciela , Guevara‐Cruz Martha , Pichardo‐Ontiveros Edgar , Sánchez‐Tapia Mónica , León‐Hernández Valeria , Ortiz Ana Luisa Sosa , Torres Nimbe 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundChronic low‐grade inflammation is one of the main drivers of cognitive decline. The MIND Diet is a dietary pattern that includes foods rich in antioxidants that exert a neuroprotective effect by decreasing oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation. The aim was to evaluate the association between inflammation markers and the intake of foods characteristic of the MIND diet with body composition in older adults.Method
Cross‐sectional analysis of 73 older adults (70.6±4.6 years, 63% women) without cognitive decline who are participating in the LatAm Fingers study in Mexico. Basal blood samples were taken to determine C‐reactive protein (CRP) and Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Subjects were divided into two groups according to CRP levels (≤1.0 mg/L without inflammation; >1.0 mg/L with inflammation). Body composition was measured by multi‐frequency bioelectrical impedance (Inbody 720). Participants were asked to autocomplete a validated food frequency questionnaire (POINTER) to evaluate the dietary intake of the MIND diet foods (leafy green vegetables, other vegetables, olive oil, fish, poultry, nuts, whole grains, legumes, and berries). Low adherence was defined as a total score of <8 out of 15 points.
Result74% of women presented elevated CRP levels (>1.0mg/L). Interestingly, subjects from the group without inflammation had lower values of body mass index (BMI) (27.2 ± 2.4 vs. 30.0 ± 3.6 Kg/m²; p = 0.002), total fat percentage (35.5 ± 5.6 vs. 42.9 ± 6.9%; p = 0.0001) and visceral fat area (108.3 ± 20.7 vs. 123.6 ± 24.0 cm²; p = 0.012) and higher levels of total muscle mass (23.9 ± 5.0 vs. 21.6 ± 4.3Kg; p = 0.049). All participants had metabolic endotoxemia (LPS levels 450 ± 211 ng/mL). Compliance with the MIND diet was deficient (score <8 points) in most participants (58.3%).Conclusion
High levels of CRP are associated with a negative impact on body composition in older Mexican adults. Additionally, this population is at high risk of cognitive decline as it presents elevated markers of systemic inflammation with a low intake of neuroprotective foods.
Analysis of Tau heterogeneity and proteome‐wide changes in Alzheimer’s Disease at the single‐molecule level
Authors: Guha Sanjib K , Tan Steven , Joly James , Park Deborah , Wang Rosemary , Nortman Brittany , Gillies Taryn E. , Budamagunta Vivek , Robinson Julia K , Rinker Torri Elise , Sherman Jamie , Ellahi Aisha , Wiederhold Thorsten , Kirkpatrick Don , Lipka Johanna , Wendorff Tim , Pandya Nikil J , Rohou Alexis , Kapp Greg , Mallick Parag 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe molecular heterogeneity of Tau is a critical contributor to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) progression and pathology. Currently, very little is known about the prevalence or impact of the diverse collection of Tau proteoforms. Additionally, individual proteoforms may have different interactions or frequencies within the broader proteome. Here, we detected and analyzed Tau proteoforms in the context of the broader proteome in model systems using a novel single‐molecule proteomic analysis platform with future applicability in AD samples.MethodWe used a single‐molecule proteomic analysis platform that leverages a set of target isoform specific and target PTM specific affinity reagents combined with novel instrumentation, single‐molecule biochemistry, and machine learning bioinformatics to enable deep proteoform and broad proteome analysis. In this study, we first evaluated the proteoform distribution of Tau using commercially available antibody reagents. Proteoform heterogeneity was compared (specifically splicing and phosphorylation variants) in both healthy and diseased samples. Then, total protein counts were assessed across the proteome using Protein Identification by Short‐epitope Mapping (PrISM), which leverages proprietary multi‐affinity probes designed to recognize short epitopes and a machine learning algorithm that decodes binding of hundreds of multi‐affinity probes into protein quantifications.ResultThe approach was evaluated by first measuring defined mixtures of recombinant Tau proteins. Next, we examined Tau enriched from induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)‐derived neurons and tau‐expressing cell lines. The platform revealed the molecular heterogeneity of Tau proteoforms missed by bulk measurements and peptide‐centric proteomics approaches. The proteoform data was then supplemented with broader proteome analysis in order to identify proteome‐wide changes – differences in proteins and pathways due to or in combination with specific Tau proteoforms and disease.ConclusionUnderstanding the biology of complex diseases like AD and other Tauopathies depends on understanding both the specific Tau proteoforms that exist at baseline and in disease as well as the pathways and processes impacted in the proteome. Single‐molecule tools that can analyze proteoforms in depth and the proteome broadly and link molecular signatures to disease states are essential. These tools will enable improved biomarkers, improved understanding of disease, and improved therapies for Alzheimer’s disease in the future.