bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fecal microbiota transplant can improve cognition in patients with cognitive decline and Clostridioides difficile infection
Authors: Choi Seong Hye , Park Soo‐Hyun , Lee Jung‐Hwan , Shin Jongbeom , Im Jae Hyoung , Kwon Kye Sook 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundAfter fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) to treat Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), cognitive improvement is noticeable, suggesting an essential association between the gut microbiome and neural function. Although the gut microbiome has been associated with cognitive function, it remains to be elucidated whether fecal microbiota transplantation can improve cognition in patients with cognitive decline.MethodThe study included 10 patients (age range, 63‐90 years; female, 80%) with dementia and severe CDI who were evaluated using cognitive function tests (Mini‐Mental State Examination [MMSE] and Clinical Dementia Rating scale Sum of Boxes [CDR‐SB] score) and stool PCR before and after FMT. Cognitive function test was performed one month before FMT and one month after FMT. The patients’ fecal samples were analyzed to determine the composition of their gut microbiota before FMT and 3 weeks after FMT to compare the microbiota composition.ResultTen patients receiving FMT showed improvements in clinical symptoms and cognitive functions. The MMSE score pre‐FMT was 10.00 (Median, 7.00 – 14.00 interquartile range [IQR]), and the MMSE score post‐FMT was 16.00 (Median, 13.00 – 18.00 [IQR]). The CDR‐SB score pre‐FMT was 10.00 (Median, 5.00 – 12.00 IQR), and post‐FMT was 5.50 (Median, 4.00 – 8.00, IQR). FMT led to changes in the recipient’s gut microbiota composition, with enriched Proteobacteria in pre‐FMT and Bacteroidetes in post‐FMT most pronounced. We found that the genera were reported to be associated with cognitive function. In addition, alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism pathway was found to be significantly different between before and after FMTConclusionThis study highlight the important interaction between the gut microbiome and cognitive function. Moreover, this study suggest that FMT may effectively delay cognitive decline in patients with dementia.
Measurement of social connection in people with dementia living in care homes
Authors: Sommerlad Andrew , Liougas Madalena , Livingston Gill , McGilton Katherine S , O'Rourke Hannah M , Bethell Jennifer 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundSocial connection is a fundamental human need. For those living in long‐term care (LTC) settings, social connection influences quality of life and care. However, social connection has not been clearly conceptualized, nor is it routinely measured, in LTC. LTC residents have complex health needs, and are separated from previous social networks while residing in communal care environments, so measurement instruments need to be tailored and tested in these settings. Currently, there is no evidence‐based consensus on the best approaches to defining or measuring social connection in LTC homes. In this project, funded by an Alzheimer’s Association/Brain Canada Advancing Research on Care and Outcome Measurement grant, we aim to systematically describe all previous of social connection measures in LTC residents and evaluate their psychometric properties.MethodsWe searched eight databases until November 18th, 2021. We used the COnsensus‐based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) filter to identify studies reporting instrument measurement properties. We included primary studies reporting ≥1 psychometric property (including validity, reliability, internal consistency, responsiveness) of a measure of social connection (including social engagement/ support/ networks/ isolation, loneliness, and other related constructs), tested among LTC residents. Two reviewers will independently screen titles and abstracts and then conduct full text review.To assess measure form and content, we will describe the measures and their target settings, and conduct a thematic content analysis on all items. To evaluate psychometric properties, we will assess each measure using the COSMIN risk of bias checklist and summarize the evidence for the nine measurement properties. We will rate the measure overall using a Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach.ResultsAfter removing duplicates, our search yielded 5945 studies. We excluded 5818 studies after screening titles and abstracts, leaving 127 papers for full text review.ConclusionsWe will present results of this ongoing systematic review on content and psychometric properties of social connection measures in LTC residents. Through this presentation, we will elicit feedback from stakeholders on our findings to date. This feedback will inform our development of a new measure to assess social connection in people living in LTC homes.
Addressing loneliness among people living with dementia: The key features of personal contact interventions
Authors: O'Rourke Hannah M , Jefferey Nicole , Prestwich Judy , McLean Haydn 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundInterventions to address loneliness among older adults have been developed which target modifiable influencing factors of social contact, social participation, and social support. However, few interventions have been designed specifically to address loneliness for use with people living with dementia. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to identify key features of personal contact interventions for use with people living with dementia.MethodThis was a mixed methods (concurrent triangulation) design using a convenience sample of family, friends, and health care providers of people living with dementia (n = 25). In face‐to‐face sessions, participants were read a short description of two personal contact interventions: an animal contact and a human contact intervention. They completed questionnaires to rate acceptability (adapted Treatment Perception and Preference measure), followed by semi‐structured interviews to explore their perspectives in‐depth. Descriptive statistics and conventional content analysis were completed, and themes from the qualitative analysis were emphasized in the interpretation of results.ResultA majority (>80%) of participants rated personal contact interventions, with either a human or animal visitor, as being low risk, effective, logical and suitable to address loneliness among people living with dementia. While some form of human contact was viewed as essential for every person living with dementia, appropriateness of animal contact was seen as dependent on the individual characteristics of the person living with dementia. In addition to preventing loneliness, participants highlighted that the benefits of personal contact could include promoting happiness and comfort, offering something to do, and preventing responsive behaviors. For all personal contact interventions with a human or animal, it was important to prepare the contact, focus on meaningful relationships, consider flexible program delivery options, and ensure high quality facilitation of visits.ConclusionPersonal contact with a human or animal shows promise to address loneliness experienced by people living with dementia when it is facilitated, flexible, and carefully designed to promote meaningful interactions. Future feasibility studies are needed to assess how people living with dementia experience and perceive personal contact interventions.
Cognitive changes predict mortality in people with Alzheimer’s disease: NCGG‐stories
Authors: Nakagawa Takeshi , Sakurai Takashi , Sugimoto Taiki , Ono Rei , Noguchi Taiji , Komatsu Ayane , Uchida Kazuaki , Kuroda Yujiro , Arai Hidenori , Saito Tami 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundLow cognitive function at baseline is a proven risk factor for mortality in people with dementia. However, the prognostic role of long‐term cognitive changes is less studied. This study examined whether cognitive changes predict mortality among people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD).MethodData were extracted from a retrospective cohort of Japanese patients attending a memory clinic between 2010 and 2018 (period of visits: M = 4.3 years, SD = 2.1), and a sample of 1,486 AD patients (baseline age 65‐95 years) was analyzed. We conducted a mail survey from 2018 to 2019 to obtain survival information from the patients or their proxies. Cognitive function was assessed by the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE). Baseline age, sex, years of education, and baseline instrumental activities of daily living were included as covariates. Shared‐parameter models were used for longitudinal and time‐to‐event outcomes.ResultDuring the follow‐up period, 23.4% of participants died. Shared‐parameter models showed that higher levels and less steep declines in cognitive function reduced the mortality risk (MMSE intercept hazard ratio [HR] 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.92–0.99; MMSE slope HR 0.87; 95% CI 0.79–0.96), even after adjusting for covariates.ConclusionOur findings suggest that cognitive changes predict mortality independently of baseline cognitive levels in people with AD. Health care professionals should recognize that patients who demonstrate steeper cognitive declines can have a worse prognosis.
Vision impairment in a life course model of potentially modifiable dementia risk factors
Authors: Ehrlich Joshua R , Goldstein Jenna , Swenor Bonnielin K , Whitson Heather , Langa Kenneth M , Veliz Philip 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundThere is considerable evidence that vision impairment and blindness are a risk factor for accelerated cognitive decline and incident dementia. Additionally, up to 90% of vision impairment is preventable or has yet to be treated. Nonetheless, vision impairment has not been included in prevailing life‐course models of dementia risk factors used to shape public health policy and research priorities.MethodWe calculated the population attributable fraction (PAF) of dementia for vision impairment and other potentially modifiable dementia risk factors. The relative risk of dementia was derived from published meta‐analyses. Communalities and risk factor prevalence were calculated using cross‐sectional survey data from the 2018 Health and Retirement Study. Data on vision impairment were derived from the CDC’s Vision and Eye Health Surveillance System. All PAF values were weighted for communality (clustering of risk factors).ResultThe 12 risk factors in this model were associated with 59.8% of dementia cases in the U.S (Figure). Hypertension had the highest PAF (12.3%) among all risk factors. Vision impairment had a prevalence of 8.3% and a PAF of 1.8%, which suggests that >100,000 prevalent cases of dementia in the U.S. may have been prevented through healthy vision.ConclusionVision impairment contributes significantly to existing life‐course models of potentially modifiable dementia risk factors and has a magnitude similar to that of some other well accepted risk factors. A majority of vision impairment is modifiable, so this risk factor may represent an important target for future interventional research to prevent dementia.
Macular thickness is associated with whole brain grey matter volume in a mixed cohort of healthy controls and patients with neurodegenerative disease
Authors: Bennett Daniel J , Chou Austin , Oertel Frederike Cosima , Tsuei Torie , Cobigo Yann , Kramer Joel H. , Rankin Katherine P , Ferguson Adam , Miller Bruce L , Green Ari J , Elahi Fanny M 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundRetinal atrophy in CNS neurodegenerative disease (NDD) has been reported by a growing literature base, suggesting that retinal changes may mirror, or even precede, neurodegeneration in the brain. However, understanding of how retinal and brain atrophy are associated in NDD is limited. In a large cohort of healthy aging controls (HC) and patients with confident diagnoses of NDD, we investigated if neuronal tissue loss in the unmyelinated retina is associated with whole brain grey (GM) and white (WM) matter volumes.MethodWe performed optical coherence tomography (OCT) within six months of structural brain imaging (MRI) in 373 patients with NDD (256 frontotemporal lobar degeneration spectrum (FTLD), 87 Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), 16 Lewy Body Disease (LBD), 12 prion disease, 2 with mixed etiology; age [years, mean±SD]:65.6±8.8, gender [male %]:51%, clinical dementia rating (CDR) [median (IQR)]:1 (0.5)) and 117 HC (age:73.8±9.5, gender:48%). 123 subjects (81 FTLD, 20 AD, 5 prion, 17 HC) had at least one follow up exam with both brain and retinal imaging (follow up time[years, median (IQR)]:1 (0.5)). Linear models correcting for age and total intracranial volume (TIV) were used to investigate the relationship between measurements of retinal thickness (µm), and whole brain GM and WM volumes (mm3). Associations between annualized rate of change were modeled for patients with follow up, and were not corrected for TIV.ResultCross sectionally, macular thickness was associated with GM (0.62±0.20, p = 0.003) and WM (0.30±0.14, p = 0.030). Inner plexiform layer (IPL; 2.00±0.98, p = 0.038) and outer nuclear layer (ONL; 1.10±0.40, p = 0.005) were associated with GM, but not WM. Annualized rate of IPL (4.1±1.7, p = 0.016) and ONL (1.1±0.5, p = 0.034) change were associated with annualized rate of GM change, but not WM. In FTLD patients alone, rates of macular (2.7±0.6, p<0.001) and GCL (6.1±2, p = 0.005) change were also associated with GM change.ConclusionWhole macular thickness and structurally relevant sublayers representing neuron cell bodies (GCL, ONL) and dendritic arbors (IPL, ONL), were associated with GM, but not WM volume changes in a cohort of HC and NDD, with overrepresentation of FTLD. While findings may be limited to FTLD, they support retinal imaging as a biomarker for CNS neurodegeneration.
Agreement between cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers and Amyloid PET in a multicentric cohort
Authors: Guillén Núria 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers have shown incomplete concordance with amyloid‐positron emission tomography (PET). Our goal was to analyze the agreement between CSF biomarkers and amyloid‐PET in a multicenter study.MethodRetrospective multicenter study (6 centers). Participants who underwent both CSF biomarkers and amyloid‐PET with a maximum time between tests <18 months were included. Biomarkers were considered abnormal according to cut points of each center, describing different ATN profiles: A+T+N+, A‐T‐N‐, others. Amyloid‐PET was classified as positive/negative visually. Agreement between CSF biomarkers and amyloid‐PET was analyzed by overall percent agreement (OPA).Result256 participants were included (age 68(SD9), MMSE score 25(SD4)). Diagnoses were mild cognitive impairment or dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease (49%), Lewy body dementia (21%), frontotemporal dementia (10%) and others (20%). Mean time between tests was 4.9 months (SD4,0). 41% were APOEε4 carriers. CSF biomarkers were analyzed with Innotest® (32%) or Lumipulse® (68%). PET tracers employed were 18F‐Florbetapir (71%), 18F‐Flutemetamol (21%) or 18F‐Florbetaben (8%). OPA between single CSF biomarkers and amyloid‐PET was 75% for Aβ1‐42, 75% for pTau181, 74% for tTau. The use of Aβ1‐42/Aβ1‐40 ratio (n = 155) as an indicator of amyloid deposition increased OPA (86%). The use of other biomarker ratios also improved OPA: 88% for pTau181/Aβ1‐42 and 82% for tTau/Aβ1‐42). Agreement of CSF biomarkers with amyloid‐PET was higher in A+T+N+/A‐T‐N‐ cases (94%), mainly when all CSF biomarkers were altered (97%).ConclusionThe use of CSF biomarker ratios improved their agreement with amyloid‐PET. A+T+N+/A‐T‐N‐ CSF profiles had an agreement with amyloid‐PET higher than 90%.
The heterogeneity of asymmetric tau distribution is associated with an early age at onset and poor prognosis in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Lu Jiaying , Zhang Zhengwei , Wu Ping , Liang Xiaoniu , Zhang Huiwei , Hong Jimin , Clement Christoph , Yen Tzu‐Chen , Ding Saineng , Wang Min , Xiao Zhenxu , Rominger Axel , Shi Kuangyu , Guan Yihui , Zuo Chuantao , Zhao Qianhua 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to investigate whether an asymmetric tau distribution on PET images could be associated with clinical characteristics and prognosis in prodromal and/or clinical Alzheimer’s disease (AD).MethodThe testing cohort consisted of 60 patients with mild cognitive impairment due to AD and AD dementia from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative – who underwent tau PET imaging with the first‐generation tau tracer [18F]flortaucipir. The validation cohort consisted of an independent sample of 67 patients enrolled from the Shanghai Memory Study who underwent PET tau imaging with the second‐generation tau tracer [18F]APN‐1607. Based on the absolute global tau interhemispheric differences, each cohort was divided into two groups (asymmetric versus symmetric tau distribution). The two groups were cross‐sectionally compared in terms of demographic and cognitive characteristics, as well as pathological burden. The cognitive trajectories of cognitive decline were analyzed longitudinally.ResultFourteen patients (23.3%) in the testing cohort and 26 (38.8%) in the validation cohort showed an asymmetric tau distribution. In both cohorts, cross‐sectional results consistently revealed that an asymmetric tau distribution was associated with an earlier age at disease onset and more severe tau and amyloid burden (Fig 1). In longitudinal analyses, patients with an asymmetric tau distribution were characterized by a steeper cognitive decline (Fig 2).ConclusionAn asymmetric tau distribution on PET images was consistently associated with an earlier age at onset and more severe pathological features of AD in two independent cohorts. Additionally, this imaging biomarker was longitudinally associated with a more rapid trajectory of cognitive decline.
Ventricular electrocardiographic signatures associated with dementia and plasma Alzheimer’ s biomarkers in older adults: The MIND‐China study
Authors: Mao Ming , Wang Chaoqun , Han Xiaolei , Liu Rui , Dong Yi , Han Qi , Wang Xiaojie , Liu Xinyu , Wang Yongxiang , Du Yifeng , Qiu Chengxuan 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundCardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have been linked with dementia. In addition, amyloid‐β (Aβ) is detected in the heart of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, no population‐based studies have yet investigated the interrelationships of ventricular electrocardiographic (ECG) profiles (e.g., QT, JT, QRS intervals, and QRS axis angle) with dementia and plasma Alzheimer’s biomarkers.MethodThis population‐based cross‐sectional study included 5110 participants (age ≥65 years; 57.2% women) from the baseline assessments of the multimodal interventions to delay dementia and disability in rural China (MIND‐China) in March‐September 2018; of these, 1273 had data on plasma Aβ42, Aβ40, total‐tau, and neurofilament light chain (NfL) that were measured using the single molecule array (SIMOA) technology. Ventricular ECG parameters included QT, QTc, JT, JTc, QRS intervals, and QRS axis angle. The DSM‐IV criteria were followed for the diagnosis of dementia, the NIA‐AA criteria for AD, and NINDS‐AIREN criteria for vascular dementia (VaD). Data were analyzed using the general linear models, multinomial logistic models, and restricted cubic splines.ResultOf the 5110 participants, 296 (5.79%) were diagnosed with dementia (192 with AD; 93 with VaD). The multivariable‐adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) of dementia associated with the quartiles of QT interval were 1.00 (reference), 1.66 (1.11‐2.50), 1.93 (1.25‐3.00), and 1.78 (1.10‐2.91), respectively. QTc, JT, and JTc intervals had analogous associations with dementia, and these ventricular ECG parameters were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of AD and VaD. The restricted cubic spline model suggested a significant association of QRS axis left deviation with VaD. In the plasma biomarker subsample, JT and JTc intervals were associated with multivariable‐adjusted β coefficients (95% CI) of ‐0.15 (‐0.27‐ ‐0.03) and ‐0.11 (‐0.20‐ ‐0.01), respectively, for Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio. The multivariable‐adjusted β coefficients (95% CI) of plasma NfL associated with QT, JT, and JTc intervals were 0.04 (0.01‐0.08), 0.06 (0.02‐0.09), and 0.04 (0.01‐0.07), respectively.ConclusionVentricular ECG signatures for dementia and plasma Alzheimer’s biomarkers in rural‐dwelling older adults are characterized by altered ventricular repolarization and depolarization. These results support the view that Aβ metabolism and neurodegeneration might be involved in the associations of ventricular ECG profiles with dementia.
Alcohol intake affects AD and LATE: A telltale lifestyle from two large‐scale datasets
Authors: Wu Xinxing , Peng Chong , Nelson Peter T , Cheng Qiang 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundAD is not caused by a single factor but by a variety of factors, of which factors are considered to be important. At present, the factors affecting LATE are largely unknown; in particular, the factors that distinguish AD from LATE are yet to be identified.MethodWe leveraged an innovative integrated feature selection‐based algorithm of preprocessing, feature selection, and validation, abbreviated as PFV (Figure 1), to identify important environmental risk factors differentiating subjects with LATE and/or AD from Control with healthy cognition on significantly imbalanced data. PFV was applied on two existing large‐scale datasets, i.e., a discovery dataset (ROSMAP) and a validation dataset (NACC), which comprised subjects with LATE and AD, and Control. Independent validation across datasets was performed in NACC by using chi‐square test and logistic regression analysis.ResultWe retrospectively analyzed the data of 508 subjects in ROSMAP for discovery and 9,256 subjects in NACC for independent validation. In ROSMAP, the sets of risk factors that we identified were usually small. For example, for LATE vs. AD scenario, compared to using all variates, 2 risk factors were identified for the whole cohort with an improvement in AUROC of about 7%, 1 risk factor was identified for Male subpopulation with an improvement of about 26%, 3 risk factors were identified for Female subpopulation with an improvement of about 7%, 2 risk factors were identified for White subpopulation with an improvement of about 6%, and 3 risk factors were identified for >85 subpopulation with an improvement of about 9% (Figure 2 and Table 2). And our results suggest that alcohol intake and living activities are significant risk factors for LATE; for instance, in LATE vs. Control scenario, lifetime daily alcohol intake is the common risk factor for the whole cohort (p‐value: 3.14e‐03), Male subpopulation (p‐value: 4.00e‐02), White subpopulation (p‐value: 1.14e‐03), and >85 subpopulation (p‐value: 4.11e‐03). In NACC, statistical analyses validate the role of alcohol consumption on AD and LATE.ConclusionWe found that alcohol intake affects AD than LATE, which was first identified on the discovery dataset ROSMAP and then further validated on the across dataset NACC.