bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Performance of the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline for the Elderly (IQCODE) in Rural South Africa
Authors: Guo Muqi , Taporoski Tamara P. , Farrell Meagan T. , Mahlalehla Nomsa , Berkman Lisa F. , Bassil Darina T. 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundInformant reports are commonly regarded as reliable and supplemental alongside respondent cognitive assessments, particularly in low‐literacy settings with absent normative data. We evaluate the performance of the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) in rural South Africa.MethodThis study utilizes data from the Cognition and Dementia in a Longitudinal Health and Aging Study in South Africa (HAALSI‐HCAP). The study population includes 1,029 unique informants of 676 paired participants across two survey waves. Among them, 475 participants followed in both waves and 124 of them had the same informants. A Shangaan‐translated 16‐item IQCODE was surveyed among informants. We examined IQCODE completeness and scores, tested the single latent concept assumption of IQCODE when applied to South Africa using factory analysis, and assessed IQCODE inter‐item reliability and convergent validity. We finally examined whether using a different informant affects IQCODE score using a linear regression. Analyses were replicated after excluding items with higher proportion of reporting ‘participant never do’.ResultOn average, informants aged 43.6 years and knew the paired participants for 32 years. Most informants were female (65%), participants’ children (48%), with above secondary degrees (45%), and lived with participants (66%). Informants averagely reported 0.9 items “participant never do”. Informants seeing participants daily versus those living together reported less “never do” items and give lower IQCODE score, controlling participants’ age, gender, and education. Children informants versus spouses tend to give higher IQCODE scores. Consistent with literature, IQCODE is a single concept with the first factor explaining 60% of total variance. IQCODE had excellent inter‐item reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.94) and moderately correlated with participants’ recall memory scores. Using different informants does not affect IQCODE changes for the same participants over years. After excluding items with above 12% of informants reporting ‘participant never do’ (e.g., handling everyday arithmetic problems, financial matters, following a story, or learning new gadgets), results remained similar.ConclusionInformant characteristics affects IQCODE scores but not completeness. Changing informants between waves does not impact IQCODE score. With excellent reliability and good validity even upon excluding several items, IQCODE is useful for assessing dementia among South African older adults.
Association between anti‐herpetic medications and dementia risk: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Chang Syuan‐Ting , Fang Chuang Yi‐ 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundPrevious research established a potential relationship between human herpesvirus (HHV) infections and increased risk of dementia. However, whether use of antiherpetic medications may lower dementia risk was not clear. Thus, this systematic review and meta‐analysis of cohort studies aimed to investigate the associations between anti‐herpetic medications and dementia risk.MethodThis study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022368318) and adhered to PRISM guidelines. Databases from inception to October 2023 were extensively searched to identify cohort studies investigating the association between oral antiherpetic medications (ie. acyclovir, famciclovir, ganciclovir, valacyclovir, and valganciclovir) and dementia risk in non‐demented older adults 50 years old. Pooled Hazard Ratios (HR) were analyzed using a random‐effects model in STATA 18. Subgroup analysis was performed to explore potential sources of heterogeneity.ResultTwelve studies with 9,612,885 older adults assessing the impact of antiherpetic medications on dementia risk were included in our analysis. The meta‐analysis was divided into three comparison groups based on the study population setting: treated vs. untreated (regardless of infection diagnosis), diagnosed with and treated for infection vs. diagnosed but untreated, and diagnosed with and treated for infection vs. no diagnosed and no treatment. Our results showed that antiherpetic medications significantly reduced the risk of dementia by 12% (aHR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.83‐0.93), 27% (aHR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.65‐0.82), and 14% (aHR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.77‐0.96) in each comparison group. Additionally, significant subgroup effect was found when considering severity of herpesvirus infection.ConclusionThis is the first systematic review and meta‐analysis of cohort studies to show that antiherpetic medications had significantly protective effect on dementia, particularly in those with severe herpesvirus infections. Our findings provide valuable insights for effectiveness of medical interventions and the possible mechanism of dementia. Future research should focus on clinical trials to comprehensively understand the causal effects of this association and the underlying mechanisms.
Associations of the LIBRA risk score with cognitive resistance to susceptibility genes for dementia
Authors: Wagner Maude , Neuffer Jeanne , Grand Quentin Le , Mishra Aniket , Berr Claudine , Tzourio Christophe , Debette Stéphanie , Helmer Catherine , Proust‐Lima Cécile , Samieri Cécilia 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundSome older adults succeed in maintaining excellent cognition despite high genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), reflecting cognitive resistance (CR) to potential neuropathologies. Although the etiological factors for CR are still unknown, some literature suggests that environmental/lifestyle risk factors may contribute to offset, or at least reduce, the effect of AD‐related genes on cognitive decline and dementia risk. Yet, how modifiable lifestyle and health related risk factors may promote CR in genetically at‐risk individuals remains to be elucidated.MethodWe selected 6,774 dementia‐free participants from the Three‐City study cohort (≥65 years), who underwent ApoE and genome‐wide genotyping, at least 2 neuropsychological evaluations over time, and had information for the LIfestyle for BRAin health (LIBRA) score at baseline. LIBRA is a validated weighted score of 12 modifiable risk factors, including unhealthy lifestyle, poor cardiometabolic health, depression and renal dysfunction, with higher scores denoting increased lifestyle‐related dementia risk. We defined high genetic risk through ApoE‐ε4 status alone or combined with high AD‐specific genetic risk scores (GRS) beyond ApoE. We operationalized the concept of CR to genetic risk based on the individual slopes of global cognition estimated using latent process mixed models adjusted for demographics and genetic risk. CR status was assigned to genetically at‐risk participants with an adjusted cognitive slope in the slowest 25% of the overall population. Finally, focusing on genetically at‐risk individuals, we examined the associations between the LIBRA score, its individual components, and CR status using separate logistic regression models adjusted for sex, age, education, and study center.ResultAmong genetically at‐risk participants (n = 1,336 ε4‐carriers; n = 2,065 ε4‐carriers/GRS‐high), 237 (18%) ε4‐carriers and 470 (23%) ε4‐carriers/GRS‐high were cognitively resistant to susceptibility genes. Each unit increment in the LIBRA risk score at baseline was strongly associated with lower odds of CR in ε4‐carriers (odds ratio [OR] = 0.915; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.865‐0.967; P = .002; Figure) and ε4‐carriers/GRS‐high (OR = 0.883; 95%CI = 0.847‐0.920; P<.0001). When examining LIBRA components, cognitive activities and history of coronary heart diseases showed the strongest independent associations with CR (all P<0.01; Figure).ConclusionGenetically at‐risk older adults can develop cognitive resistance, which may be substantially promoted by prevention programs targeting lifestyle modifications and health management.
Comparative research on social health between older adults living alone and living with others
Authors: Han Jung Min 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study is to find out differences in social health between older adults living alone and living with others.MethodA survey was conducted on 73 older adults who live alone and 72 older adults who live with others aged 60 or older. Living alone was surveyed by general information, social health was surveyed by Korean Social Health Scale for Elderly (K‐SHSE), and lifestyle was surveyed by The Yonsei Lifestyle Profile (YLP). Lifestyle values were surveyed by The Yonsei Lifestyle Profile‐Values (YLP‐V), and self‐esteem was surveyed by Korean Self Rated Abilities for Health Practices (K‐SRAHP). Independent sample t‐test was used to compare the differences between older adults living alone and living with others.ResultAs a result of social health evaluation tool K‐SHSE showed a significant difference of 58.44±7.42 score for older adults living with others and 51.99±9.62 score for living alone (p = 0.011). Also, results of Activities Participation in YLP‐AP showed a significant difference of 46.24±8.31 score for older adults living with others and 40.51±11.04 score for living alone (p = 0.015).ConclusionThere was a significant difference between the social health levels between older adults living alone compared to older adults living with others. Therefore, it is expected that follow‐up studies will conduct intervention research that can improve the social health of older adults living alone.
Escitalopram for Agitation in Alzheimer’s Dementia
Authors: Rajji Tarek K , Baksh Sheriza , Shade David , Ismail Zahinoor , Burhan Amer M. , Okhravi Hamid , Padala Prasad R , Rosenberg Paul B. , Schneider Lon S. S. , Porsteinsson Anton P. , Lyketsos Constantine G. 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundAgitation is a common and disabling symptom of Alzheimer’s dementia (AD). Pharmacological treatments are recommended if agitation is not responsive to psychosocial intervention. Citalopram was effective in treating agitation in AD but was associated with cognitive and cardiac risks linked to its R‐ but not S‐enantiomer. Primary objective of the Escitalopram for Agitation in Alzheimer’s Disease (S‐CitAD) study was to examine the efficacy and safety of escitalopram, in combination with PSI, for the treatment of agitation in patients with AD who fail to respond to psychosocial intervention. A secondary objective was to define groups with agitation most likely to benefit from escitalopram.MethodS‐CitAD is an NIH‐funded, multicenter, community‐based, phase 3, double‐masked randomized placebo‐controlled trial. Assessments were conducted at enrollment, following three weeks of psychosocial intervention (baseline), and then weeks 1‐4, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 12. Participants were adults with AD, a telephone Mini‐Mental State Examination Telephone score from 3 to 20, and clinically significant agitation/aggression as assessed by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory with either frequency being “Very frequently”, or frequency being “Frequently” and severity being “Moderate” or “Marked”. Following three weeks of psychosocial intervention alone, participants not showing response were randomized (1:1) to receive escitalopram at a target dose of 15mg/day or placebo for 12 weeks while continuing PSI. Participants who responded to three weeks of psychosocial intervention alone continued to receive the intervention and were monitored on usual care through week 12. Primary outcome was the proportion of participants with clinically significant improvement in agitation from baseline on the modified Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study ‐ Clinical Global Impression of Change (mADCS‐CGIC).ResultTwo hundred and five (N = 205) participants were enrolled, and 173 were randomized to escitalopram or placebo for 12 weeks while continuing psychosocial intervention. The last participant will complete the study in late winter and mask will be broken in March 2024. Outcomes will be first presented at the AAIC meeting.ConclusionAs escitalopram is a most commonly used treatment for disruptive behavior in dementia, the outcomes whether positive or negative will have major clinical impact.
Exploring Novel Molecular Targets for Alzheimer’s Disease in Neuropharmacology
Authors: Ghosh Shampa , Singh Krishna Kumar , Amist Aparajita Dasgupta , Sinha Jitendra Kumar 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundAlzheimer’s disease (AD) remains a formidable neurodegenerative challenge, characterized by profound cognitive decline. Despite decades of research, effective disease‐modifying therapies are elusive. Recent advances in molecular neuropharmacology have unveiled potential therapeutic targets for AD, offering renewed hope.MethodThis comprehensive review explores emerging avenues to combat AD, emphasizing diverse targets with substantial promise. Key focus areas include beta‐secretase (BACE) and gamma‐secretase, crucial in amyloid‐beta (Aβ) peptide formation—the hallmark of AD pathology. The review also dissects tau protein abnormalities, neuroinflammation cascades, and proteins associated with synaptic dysfunction. Innovative modalities, such as immunotherapies and microRNA‐based interventions, are discussed.ResultNovel therapeutic targets introduce groundbreaking dimensions to AD therapeutics, transcending traditional approaches. Immunotherapies and gene regulation techniques aim not only for symptomatic relief but also to arrest disease progression, enhancing overall patient and caregiver well‐being.ConclusionUnderstanding these emerging targets, coupled with delving into their underlying mechanisms, signifies a paradigm shift in AD intervention. The goal is not merely symptomatic alleviation but halting disease advancement. However, translating these promising prospects into clinical reality demands unwavering commitment to rigorous scientific scrutiny and meticulous clinical validation. Systematic trials are imperative to establish the efficacy, safety, and long‐term benefits of these potential treatments, ensuring their transformative impact on AD care.
Household Air Pollution and Dementia Risk in Low‐ and Middle‐Income Countries ‐A Systematic Review of literature
Authors: Kantipudi Suvarna Jyothi 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundExposure to the household air pollution (HAPIN) is a leading health risk in populations in LMIC s and accounts for an estimated 2.3 million premature deaths annually and 91.5 million disability‐adjusted life years (Bennitt et al,2021). While the deleterious effects of household air pollution on respiratory and cardiovascular health are well‐documented, the impact of HAP on cognitive outcomes, specifically dementia risk, remains an area of evolving research. Previous systematic reviews have highlighted associations between air pollution, especially particulate matter (PM) and neurodegenerative conditions in high‐income countries, and limits the generalizability of findings to LMICs, where unique patterns of air pollution exposure and sociodemographic factors may play crucial roles. In this context, the current study aims to contribute to the existing body of knowledge by systematically reviewing and synthesizing evidence on household air pollution exposures and their potential association with dementia risk in LMICs.MethodA systematic search of databases for studies linking household air pollution (HAP) to dementia in low‐ and middle‐income countries will be conducted. Inclusion criteria are human studies published in peer‐reviewed journals in PubMed and Embase databases. Extracted data will include study characteristics, exposure assessments, and cognitive outcomes.ResultThe systematic review is currently ongoing, and initial searches identified a substantial number of relevant studies exploring the association between household air pollution (HAP) and dementia in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Data extraction revealed diverse study designs, geographical locations, and cognitive outcome measures. Subsequent narrative synthesis will provide a comprehensive overview of the existing evidence, elucidating patterns and potential sources of heterogeneity. Subgroup analyses will be done to understand regional differences and socio‐demographic factors, contributing to a nuanced understanding of HAP’s impact on dementia risk.ConclusionWhile the systematic review is ongoing, its anticipated outcomes hold promise for advancing our understanding of the complex relationship between household air pollution and dementia in low‐ and middle‐income countries.
Establishment of a Practical Risk Assessment Model for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in the Elderly
Authors: Li Jinlei , Ding Gongwu 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundWith a rapidly aging population, general practitioners (GPs) in communities are confronting the challenge of determining those who are at greatest risk for cognitive impairment and potentially need more specialized follow‐up and intervention to mitigate symptoms early in their course. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) serves as an important stage for the early intervention and prevention of dementia. However, most MCI survey questionnaires require heavy investments of manpower and time, which limits the possibility of their application among GPs in communities. Therefore, we aimed to build and validate an MCI risk assessment model using potential predictors that are readily available to GPs, to identify high‐risk populations and further offer targeted cognitive impairment screening in communities.MethodThe study retrieved MCI risk factors for the elderly and then conducts quantitative analysis for the retrieved information via meta‐analysis, to determine generally available risk factors and their level of significance to MCI. The Rothman‐Keller risk assessment model was constructed based on risk factors, which takes into consideration not only the independent effects of the influencing factors but also their interactions. The performance of the Rothman‐Keller model was evaluated using the ROC curve using data from 2,545 seniors in communities.ResultA total of 49 papers were retrieved for meta‐analysis and 15 risk factors were finally included in the MCI risk assessment model. The AUC of the MCI risk assessment model established in this study was 0.772 (95%CI: 0.753∼0.791), with a sensitivity of 78.04% and specificity of 63.95%. We also further formulate a tool (applet) that can be used in primary care, to identify with a high‐risk MCI population and delay the occurrence of dementia in communities based on the risk assessment model.ConclusionThis model not only affords GPs the opportunity to conduct cognitive primary screening in the clinic setting but also helps individuals to identify their potential risk profile and trigger interventions that may delay or even prevent progression to dementia. The public health consequences are to reduce future dementia incidence rates.
Identifying Personal Values Influencing an Older Adult’s Lifestyle: Insights from Relative Importance Analysis Using Machine Learning
Authors: Lim Seungju , Park Ji‐Hyuk 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundThere is a growing global interest in the healthy lifestyle of older adults. However, despite lifestyle representing the individual, their way of life, research focusing on their personal values in the influence of lifestyle factors is lacking. This study aims to categorize the lifestyles of older adults into two types and utilize machine learning to identify the personal values that take precedence influence these lifestyles.MethodThis study is a cross‐sectional study targeting middle‐aged and older adults aged 55 and above living in local communities in South Korea. The study utilized data from 300 participants, collected through online surveys. The lifestyle types were dichotomized by YLP‐ABCD (Yonsei Lifestyle Profile ‐ Active, Balanced, Connected, Diverse) responses using latent profile analysis. The personal value information was collected by YLP‐V (Yonsei Lifestyle Profile ‐ Value) and analyzed by machine learning to identify the relative importance of the personal values on their lifestyle types.ResultThe lifestyle of older adults was categorized into a healthy lifestyle type (48.87%) and an unhealthy lifestyle type (51.13%). These two types showed the most significant difference in social relationship characteristics. The healthy type demonstrated well‐connected and active social interaction with people, while the unhealthy type exhibited the opposite. Among the machine learning models included in this study, the model that demonstrated the highest classification performance was the support vector machine, with an accuracy of 96% and an Area under the ROC Curve of 95%. Using this model, the relative importance of personal values results showed that individuals with a strong interest in maintaining a healthy diet, curiosity about health information, and engagement in hobbies and cultural activities were more likely to belong to the healthy lifestyle type.ConclusionThe findings highlight the importance of a personal value‐centered approach in managing the healthy lifestyle of older adults, indicating that an approach emphasizing active social relationships, engagement in diverse activities, and an interest in a healthy diet is necessary.
Psoriasis and dementia: a population‐based matched cohort study of adults in England
Authors: Matthewman Julian , Cadogan Sharon L , Abuabara Katrina , Bhaskaran Krishnan , Smith Catherine , Mansfield Kathryn E , Langan Sinéad , Warren‐Gash Charlotte 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundSubstantial evidence suggests association between increased inflammatory markers and Alzheimer’s disease. However, evidence for association between the inflammatory skin disease psoriasis and dementia is limited and conflicting. Additionally, few studies investigate how psoriasis severity influences risk.MethodWe used primary care electronic health records from the UK’s Clinical Practice Research Datalink Aurum and linked hospital admissions data for a matched cohort study (1997‐2022) of individuals ≥40years. We matched (age, sex, primary care practice) individuals with psoriasis, without replacement, with up to five comparators without psoriasis in calendar date order. People with psoriasis were followed from latest of: first psoriasis diagnosis, practice registration +1year, study start, age 40, date practice met quality‐control standards. Comparators were followed from the same date as their psoriasis match. We used Cox regression, stratified by matched set, to estimate hazard ratios (HR) comparing dementia risk in those with and without psoriasis.ResultIn preliminary analyses, we identified 360,014 individuals with psoriasis matched to 1,799,617 without. After implicitly adjusting for age, sex, practice and calendar period (through underlying timescale and matching), and adjusting for lifestyle factors (smoking, harmful alcohol, obesity) and comorbidities (cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, chronic liver and chronic lung diseases, diabetes mellitus, depression, hyperlipidaemia, hypertension), we found evidence of association between psoriasis and all‐cause dementia (HR 1.04, 95%CI 1.01‐1.06), although absolute rate differences were small (approximately 4 per 10,000 person years). We found evidence of association between psoriasis and vascular dementia (HR 1.09, 95%CI 1.04‐1.15), but no evidence of association with Alzheimer’s (HR 1.02, 95%CI 0.98‐1.05). Compared to those without psoriasis, the association with all cause dementia was stronger in moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis (HR 1.17, 95%CI 1.07, 1.27) than in mild psoriasis (HR 1.02, 95%CI 1.00, 1.04).We plan to: further adjust for additional potential confounders (including deprivation, ethnicity, chronic kidney disease) using more nuanced sequential modelling; and assess how robust our findings are in sensitivity analyses.ConclusionOur findings suggest that risk of all‐cause dementia, but not Alzheimer’s, is slightly higher in people with psoriasis, and risk is greater in more severe psoriasis. However, relative risk and absolute risk differences were small.