bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dimensions of activities of daily living in subjective cognitive complaint elderly. The GERO Cohort
Authors: Slachevsky Andrea , Lillo Patricia , Sepúlveda Loyola Walter , Demanet Michele , Cerda Mauricio , Henriquez Fernando , Parrao Teresa , Zitko Pedro , Martínez‐Pernía David , Villagra Roque , Amieva Helene , Thumala Daniela 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundSubjective cognitive complaint (SCC) is a risk factor of functional impairment in activities of daily living (ADL). ADL are divided from basic (BADL), instrumental (IADL), and advanced activities of daily living (a‐ADL), according to their cognitive complexity. These three dimensions of ADL have been scarcely explored in SCC The objective of this study was to analyze these three dimensions of ADL and their association with global cognition and sociodemographic factors in SCC.Method291 participants from the GERO prospective cohort study of community‐dwelling elderly with SCC, aged 70 or older, living in Santiago ‐ Chile were analyzed. ADL were evaluated with the Technology Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire (T‐ADLQ), an informant‐rated questionnaire measuring BADL, IADL and aADL (T‐ADLQ total score and dimension score range 0‐100, higher values meaning worse performance), global cognition with the Mini‐mental state (MMSE) and sociodemographic factors measured with age, gender, marital status, education, household‐income, working status. A multivariate logistic regression model was performed considering MMSE and sociodemographic factors as explanatory variables and the different dimensions of ADL as dependent variables. Results were evaluated with coefficient of regression and 95% confidence intervals.ResultPerformances in T‐ADLQ total score ranged from 0 to 56; in BADL from 0 to 40; in IADL from 0 to 67 and a‐ADL from 0 to 100. T‐ADLQ total score was independently associated with MMSE (Coef: ‐0.24), age (Coef: 0.40) and marital status (Coef: 3.44), BADL with age (Coef: 0.14), IADL with age (Coef: 0.45) and marital status (Coef: 3.59), a‐ADL with marital status (Coef: 7.25). Results are presented in Table 1.ConclusionImpairment in ADL and their associated factors in SCC differ according to their complexity, being the aADL the most affected. Studying dimensions of ADL could contribute to better understanding functionality in SCC.Slachevsky, A., …, Thumala, D. (2020). GERO Cohort Protocol, Chile, 2017‐2022: Community‐based Cohort of Functional Decline in Subjective Cognitive Complaint elderly. BMC geriatrics, 20(1), 505.Slachevsky, A., … Hornberger, M. (2019). Mapping the neuroanatomy of functional decline in Alzheimer’s disease from basic to advanced activities of daily living. Journal of neurology, 266(6), 1310‐1322Funding: ANID/FONDAP/15150012; ANID /FONDECYT/ 1231839 and ANID/PIA/ANILLOS ACT210096.
Caregiver Attributions of Cause to Behavioral Symptoms of Dementia
Authors: Winstead Vicki , Pickering Carolyn E , Yildiz Mustafa , Wang Danny 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundMost individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD)exhibit behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) which can negatively impact quality of life for both caregiver and care recipient, yet there is a lack of knowledge on mechanisms of symptom development and triggers that can exacerbate a symptom. Thus, the aim of this study is to explore family caregiver perceptions’ of why a particular BPSD occurred.MethodThis study used a micro‐longitudinal design with family caregivers (N = 69) completing 8 days of diaries four times a day. Diaries were sent randomly three times a day and once in the evening. Data for this study were derived from the three random diaries (n = 982 responses) from the open‐ended question, “why do you think the behavior occurred?” This question was a follow‐up question to the caregiver’s report of the last observed behavioral symptom. Content analysis was used to identify initial codes for thematic analysis. Focused coding was used to further refine and organize into thematic categories.ResultThe sample was 54% African American and 69% female with a mean age of 74 caring for a close family member with dementia. Final analysis of data revealed 5 themes describing the caregivers’ perceptions of the cause of the behavioral symptom. These themes included describing the cause as: 1) the care recipient experiencing a loss of autonomy, 2) behavioral symptom as a direct result of the disease, “it’s Alzheimer’s, stupid.” 3) attributing negative emotions to the care recipient, anger, fear 4) environmental factors such as too much conversation, TV show, being cold 5) physical symptoms, “knee pain, “lack of rest,” ill‐fitting dentures. Responses among many of the individual caregivers varied daily from diary to diary based on the behavior reported or they simply answered, I do not know.”.ConclusionThere are many interventions which aim to reduce caregiver stress and improve management of BPSD though they often have small effect sizes and do not sustain the effect over time. Incorporating insights from caregivers on how BPSD occur in daily life may provide for more ecologically valid interventions.
CSF AβX‐34 ‐ a new biomarker for amyloid‐related small vessel pathology in early Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Pålhaugen Lene , Kirsebom Bjørn‐Eivind , Tecelao Sandra , Jarholm Jonas Alexander , Gisladottir Berglind , Christensen Erik , Amundsen Line , Harrison Peter , Turton Michael , Grøntvedt Gøril Rolfseng , Skogseth Ragnhild E , Aarsland Dag , Selnes Per , Fladby Tormod 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundBrain small vessel disease (SVD) increases Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk. Impaired amyloid β (Aβ) clearance is linked to amyloid plaque formation and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). Aβ1‐40 is deposited in vessel walls, and Aβ with a C‐terminal 34' cut‐point is produced by perivascular cells. Evidence for SVD‐AD interactions in early AD is elusive, but incipient CAA putatively increases susceptibility for amyloid‐related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) in AD patients.Here we compare the SVD MRI marker “peak width of skeletonized mean diffusivity” (PSMD) to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Aβ species and the neurodegeneration marker Neurofilament light chain (Nfl), assessing links between SVD and AD pathologies and Aβ species as potential markers for incipient CAA.MethodCross‐sectional data from the Dementia Disease Initiation (DDI) cohort were available, comprising (n = 112) cognitively normal (CN) and (n = 115) cases with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (n = 227). CSF markers for AD A/T/N‐staging identified 134 cases with negative markers (A‐/T‐/N‐), 21 with amyloid positive markers (A+/T‐/N‐) and 72 with amyloid and tau‐positive markers (A+/T or N+) (see table 1 for sample descriptives). Multiple linear regression models were used with PSMD by lobe as the dependent variable, and NfL, Aβ1‐40 (MesoScale), Aβx‐34 (Bioventix, Pre Diagnostic) (separately) and interactions with A/T/N group as independent variables. Variables were log‐transformed and standardized.ResultHigher Nfl was related to higher PSMD independently of the Aβ species in all lobes. Although Nfl correlated with Aβ1‐40 (figure 1), no multicollinearity was observed in the model. In A+, lower Aβ markers were related to higher PSMD in all lobes, but particularly for the temporal lobe (figure 2). Aβx‐34 showed more robust relationships with PSMD in both A+ groups particularly in the temporal lobes (A+/T‐/N‐ b = .62, p = <.001, A+/T or N+ b = .52, p<.001) than Aβ1‐40. (A+/T‐/N‐ b = .66, p = <.01, A+/T or N+ b = .33, p<.001). Neither t‐ nor p‐tau measures were associated with PSMD (not shown).ConclusionNfl independently related to PSMD, possibly reflecting amyloid‐independent neurodegeneration. CSF Aβx‐34 was in particular tightly linked to increased temporal lobe PSMD even in A+/T‐/N‐, pointing to early AD‐related SVD. This supports further evaluation of Aβx‐34 as a marker for CAA and susceptibility marker for ARIA.
Hippocampus‐associated tract degradation follows differential DTI patterns and is influenced by amyloid in MCI patients
Authors: Fleming Ben , Nowell Joseph , Edison Paul 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundDiffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has been leveraged to understand microstructural alterations to limbic and cortico‐cortical tracts in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, investigation into the key changes and patterns of fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) metrics in the early stages of MCI has not been widely investigated. This study aimed to establish whether the early DTI white matter tract changes in MCI patients are decoupled and whether amyloid positivity (Aβ+/Aβ‐) is associated with early tract degradation.Method171 participants (103 MCI & 73 CN) were recruited from the AD Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI; adni.loni.usc.edu) database. For each participant, FA and MD maps were obtained at their baseline scan and voxel wise analysis was carried out using FSL (https://fsl.fmrib.ox.ac.uk/fsl/) and Tract‐Based Spatial Statistics (https://fsl.fmrib.ox.ac.uk/fsl/fslwiki/TBSS). Students t‐tests were conducted on the FA and MD changes in hippocampal WM tracts, previously identified as areas of potential early degradation. Comparisons between CN and MCI groups were made along Aβ+ and Aβ‐ groups.ResultWe found evidence for WM degradation, indicated by lower FA scores in MCI participants compared with controls, in the specific regions of interest of the fornix (p = 0.004) and tapetum (p = 0.012). Mean diffusivity was increased in the MCI group compared to CN in areas of the fornix (p < 0.001), consistent with FA alterations, yet differed from areas identified in FA changes owing to changes in the uncinate fasciculus (p = 0.022) and cingulum (p = 0.003). Comparison of DTI metrics in the fornix between amyloid status groups revealed that Aβ+ participants had significantly lower FA compared to Aβ‐ participants (p = 0.047), but MD did not significantly differ.ConclusionThese results confirm the notion that WM tract integrity degradation in the tract apparatus surrounding the hippocampus occur early in the AD trajectory. However, results indicate that FA alterations occur in different patterns to that of MD and that amyloid may influence these patterns. This supports the idea that efforts to develop therapeutics which maintain WM tract integrity early may be key to slowing AD progression.
Does schooling attained by adult children affect parent’s cognitive function and decline in later life? An evaluation comparing observational and quasi‐experimental approaches
Authors: Gutierrez Sirena , Romero K. Renata Flores , Allen Isabel Elaine , Glymour M. Maria , Torres Jacqueline M 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundA nascent body of research suggests that higher adult child educational attainment may have beneficial impacts on older parents’ cognitive aging. Children with higher education may offer both financial and non‐financial resources that help support healthy brain aging for older parents. The causality of these relationships is difficult to evaluate; quasi‐experimental approaches are needed to address the confounding bias expected for observational studies.MethodWe used data from the Mexican Health and Aging Study (n = 6741), a nationally representative cohort of adults aged ≥50 years (2012), with repeated measures of verbal memory and verbal fluency assessed in 2012, 2015, and 2018. We leveraged a 1993 national compulsory schooling law (CSL), which raised minimum schooling from six to nine years, as a source of quasi‐experimental variation in (adult) children’s education that is independent of confounders of the relationship between adult child education and parents’ cognition. We generated a binary instrumental variable based on the respondents’ oldest child’s birth cohort and used two‐stage least squares estimation (2SLS). We compared 2SLS estimates to those generated via ordinary least squares (OLS) regression and mixed linear models adjusted for respondent and family‐level characteristics.ResultAt baseline, participants (55.3% female) were on average 60.0 years old. OLS models suggested that more schooling among oldest adult children was associated with better baseline verbal memory (ß(95% CI): 0.017(0.012,0.022)) and verbal fluency z‐scores (ß(95% CI): 0.020(0.014,0.026)). Exposure to the CSL was associated with an increase in average educational attainment by 0.612 years (95% CI: 0.384, 0.842). However, estimates from 2SLS suggested no quasi‐experimental association between increased adult child schooling and older respondents’ verbal memory (ß(95% CI): ‐0.039(‐0.102,0.023)) or verbal fluency scores (ß(95% CI): ‐0.005(‐0.080,0.071)). In observational analyses, each year of increased schooling among oldest children was associated with slower decline in verbal memory z‐scores (ß(95% CI): 0.010(0.001,0.019)) per decade, but not with verbal fluency.ConclusionOur findings present promising, but inconclusive evidence that increases in schooling may have a beneficial effect on parents’ levels of cognitive performance. This work has important implications globally, given the massive increases in educational attainment achieved by recent generations in these settings.
Relationship Between P‐tau217 and Subjective Sleep Quality in MCI and Mild AD. A Preliminary Study
Authors: Price Ashley N. , Snyder Peter J , Strenger Jennifer , Thompson Louisa I , Jeromin Andreas , Sinoff Stuart , Alber Jessica 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundPlasma‐tau217 (ptau217) has recently emerged as a biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). With sleep changes as an established feature of AD, previous studies suggest a link between sleep and tau pathology. We investigated whether overall subjective estimation of sleep quality is associated with p‐tau217 concentration (pg/ml) in a small sample population of older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD).MethodWe examined participants (mean age = 69) with MCI (n = 14) and mild AD (n = 2). MCI participants had CDR 0.5 and MoCA scores ranging 17‐28. Mild AD participants had CDR of 1.0 and MoCA scores of 17. pTau217 was measured with a novel validated SIMOA assay, developed by one of us (A.J.) for ALZPath, Inc. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used as a subjective measure of sleep quality. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to test the association between ptau217 and the global score of PSQI, and spearman’s rho was used for each of the 7 subscales of the PSQI.ResultThe global score (total score) of the PSQI was found to be significantly correlated with ptau217 concentration, such that poorer sleep was associated with increased ptau217 (r = ‐.587, p<.05). Partial correlations revealed that this correlation remained after controlling for age, sex, and years of education (all p<.05).ConclusionGlobal scores on the PSQI were associated with ptau217 concentration in MCI and mild AD participants, such that poor reported sleep quality was associated with increased plasma tau. Future studies in larger samples and longitudinal investigations using objective sleep data (actigraphs) would serve to confirm these findings.
Sex‐specific transcriptome alterations in the cingulate cortex of Lewy body dementia cases
Authors: Olney Kimberly C. , Wojtas Aleksandra , Rabichow Benjamin E. , DeTure Michael , Dickson Dennis W. , Chang Rui , Ross Owen A. , Fryer John D. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundLewy body dementia (LBD) is one of the most common causes of dementia and is characterized by the deposition of extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular accumulation of alpha‐synuclein in the form of Lewy bodies and neurites. Many of these individuals also have concomitant neuropathological changes such as vascular disease, tangles, and TDP‐43. Like in Alzheimer’s disease, APOE4 is the most significant genetic risk factor for the development of LBD. We sought to survey the landscape of transcriptional changes in the cingulate cortex from a large cohort of LBD cases (>400) compared to normal controls of both sexes.MethodWe performed bulk tissue RNAseq and aligned reads to a human reference genome that is informed on the sex chromosome complement of the sample. Differentially expressed genes were determined after genome‐wide correction.ResultWe found a core set of transcriptional changes that were shared between both sexes in pathways related to neuronal functions and inflammation. However, we also identified numerous changes in genetic female samples that were not significantly altered in genetic males, or that were significantly altered but in the opposite direction. Similar male‐specific changes were also found. These alterations were present for genes on both sex chromosomes as well as autosomes. Though cohort sizes were smaller, we also compared this dataset to Alzheimer’s disease and found shared but unique transcriptional alterations.ConclusionOverall, genetic males and females exhibit sex‐shared and sex‐specific gene expression patterns in dementia with Lewy bodies. We are currently assessing splice alterations, running causal gene network analysis, and performing histological validation.
Characterization of various type of cognitive impairment using multiomics – a pilot imaging study from a local institution
Authors: Cheung Eva YW , Mak Henry , Chau Anson CM , Chiu Patrick Ka‐Chun , Shea Yat Fung , Kwan Joseph SK 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundIn addition to clinical diagnosis, multi‐modal imaging has been employed for early detection of various types of dementia. Image features from various types of images provided information for accurate diagnosis. This study aimed to evaluate the role of multiple imaging, including MRI T1W, T2W, resting state functional MRI (rs‐fMRI) and 18‐F Flutemetamol PET image in diagnosis of various types of cognitive impairments.Methods56 participants (16 Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), 10 AD type Mild Cognitive impairment (A‐MCI), 18 vascular type MCI (V‐MCI), 12 Vascular dementia (VD) and 25 Healthy Control (HC) were recruited in an local memory clinic. All types of images were re‐orientated, segmentation and normalized to the whole brain mask template. 45 brain regional volumes (Vol) were calculated from T1w using Freesurfer. Brain regional white matter hyperintensities (WMH) were obtained from T2w images. Interhemispheric functional connectivity (IFC) of brain regions were measured from rs‐fMRI. Standard uptake value (SUV) were measured and calculated from the PET images. Also, patient demographics including age, sex and HK‐MoCa score (Demo) were recorded. 70% of each group of participants were assigned to the training group, whereas the rest 30% were assigned to test group. The neural network toolbox of MATLAB was employed to build four characterization models: Model 1 based Vol and WMH; Model 2 based on Vol, WMH and IFC; Model 3 based on Vol, WMH, IFC, and demo; Model 4 based on Vol, WMH, IFC, demo and SUV.ResultsThe receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves showed that the Model 1, 2 and 3 achieved satisfactory accuracy, with 79%, 68% and 70% respectively. While Model 4 achieved excellent accuracy of 100%. The sensitivity and specificity of each model for each group was over 75% to 100%. The model with more image features attained higher accuracy in dementia diagnosis.ConclusionArtificial neural network model with multiomics can accurately differentiate AD, A‐MCI, V‐MCI, VD and HC. Further study is suggested with more participants for models verification.
Together Stronger: A creative arts program for children of a parent with young onset dementia
Authors: Moiseyeva Darya , Goodman Janet , Heath Phillippa , Harrison Lizzie , Draper Charlie , Astell Arlene 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundWorking age individuals who develop dementia experience significant challenges to their ability to keep working. This has wide ranging impacts not only on the individual but also for their families, many of which include young children. Presently there is limited knowledge of the impact on children of having a parent with YOD or of resources to support these children.MethodEight children aged between 8‐19 took part in Together Stronger, a community based creative arts programme for children of a parent with young onset dementia. Hosted by the Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) the program ran in a hybrid format over eight bi‐weekly sessions. Activities included willow weaving, storytelling with museum artefacts, and baking together. The impact on the children’s wellbeing and social engagement was assessed using mixed methods.ResultQualitative results suggest an overall improvement in the wellbeing of the children whilst quantitative wellbeing results were inconclusive. The children were overwhelmingly positive about the creative activities and wished the group would continue. They particularly liked that the group did not focus on their parent’s dementia but instead was about creative activities. The children enjoyed the social aspect and appreciated the opportunity to spend time with other people in the same situation.ConclusionThis community‐based project for children of parents with young‐onset dementia shows promising results in terms of feasibility, acceptability and impact. Participants' feedback on the structure and contents of the sessions provides useful recommendations regarding future service provision.
Mapping of validated apathy scales onto the apathy diagnostic criteria for neurocognitive disorders
Authors: Bawa Kritleen Kaur , Sankhe Krushnaa , Md Daniel Bateman , Cummings Jeffrey L. , Ereshefsky Larry , Husain Masud , Ismail Zahinoor , Manera Valeria , Mintzer Jacobo , Moebius Hans J. , Mortby Moyra E , Porsteinsson Anton P. , Robert Philippe , Miller David S. , Lanctôt Krista L. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundDiagnostic criteria for apathy (DCA) in neurocognitive disorders were developed in 2021. As next steps, we assessed whether commonly‐used validated apathy scales map onto the DCA and identified which scales map best.MethodUsing a modified Delphi process, mapping of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory‐Clinician (NPI‐C) Apathy domain and the Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES) onto the DCA were assessed by surveying apathy experts. For each item on the scales, experts were asked to evaluate the degree of correspondence to the DCA globally, and the 3 DCA dimensions [diminished initiative, interest, and emotion]. Respondents voted “not at all” (scored as 0), “weakly” (scored as 1), or “strongly” (scored as 2). For each item, if the mean score was <0.5, the item was considered not mapped, for scores >1.5, the item was considered mapped, and items with scores 0.5‐1.5 were discussed further in a virtual consensus meeting. The surveys were then sent to other scientific community members, and the interrater reliability between the two groups was assessed using Cohen’s kappa.ResultThe surveys were completed by 12 experts. For NPI‐C apathy, 10/11 (90.9%) questions mapped primarily onto one dimension of the DCA: 2 onto “Initiative”, 6 onto “Interest”, and 2 onto “Emotion”. Of NPI‐C Apathy domain items, 9/11 (81.8%) mapped globally onto the DCA. For the AES, 7/18 (38.9%) questions mapped onto different dimensions of the DCA: 4 onto “Initiative”, 2 onto “Interest”, and 1 onto “Emotion”; 6/18 (33.3%) items mapped globally onto the DCA. The mean mapping scores of NPI‐C were significantly higher than those of the AES (t (27) = 2.25, p = 0.032) indicating better performance of NPI‐C in this exercise. These findings were confirmed in a consensus discussion. There was substantial agreement (kappa = 0.621) between the experts and the community group regarding mapping of NPI‐C but only moderate agreement (kappa = 0.553) regarding mapping of AES on the DCA.ConclusionMore questions from the NPI‐C Apathy domain mapped strongly and uniquely both globally, and onto the 3 dimensions of the DCA, compared with the AES. Future research using the DCA, NPI‐C Apathy domain, and AES in clinical and research settings are needed to confirm these results.