bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Neighborhood‐Level Area Deprivation on Picture Naming Ability and Decline in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Biro Tifani , Hamilton Roy 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundThe cortex responsible for language processing is among the earliest areas affected by Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), manifesting speech and language abnormalities even before formal diagnosis. Language decline in AD is clinically significant, often parallel to a loss in basic daily living abilities. Research endeavors to detect AD early through automated speech analysis, emphasizing the need to comprehend factors influencing language disruption. Previous studies suggest that higher socioeconomic status (SES) may mitigate dementia and cognitive impairments. Our study explores the link between neighborhood‐level area deprivation and language decline in AD patients.MethodWe utilized data from the University of Pennsylvania’s Integrated Neurodegenerative Disease Database (INDD). Inclusion criteria encompassed consensus diagnoses from multiple assessments for AD patients and individuals with normal cognition. Subjects' address information facilitated the derivation of State and National Area Deprivation Index (ADI) ranks based on 12‐digit Federal Information Processing System (FIPS) codes. Our analysis employed weighted linear mixed effects models to assess the impact of ADI Ranks on Boston Naming Task performance across patients with or without AD and among AD patients at various stages post‐symptom onset (2‐8 years).ResultOur analysis revealed an inverse relationship between ADI National and State Ranks and Boston Naming Scores, evident in both AD and non‐AD individuals. AD patients consistently demonstrated lower Boston Naming Task scores than their counterparts, with disparities widening as ADI Ranks increased. In AD patients, language decline correlated with disease progression, occurring earlier and intensifying with higher ADI National and State Ranks. These findings concur with prior research, underscoring the predictive utility of the Boston Naming Test for cognitive decline.ConclusionOur study unveils the complex interplay between area deprivation and language decline in AD patients. Those residing in more deprived areas experienced accelerated language deterioration, highlighting the impact of socioeconomic disparities. These insights advance discussions on early AD detection and intervention strategies, underscoring environmental factors' role in disease trajectories and the potential for targeted interventions to enhance patient care.
Evaluation of Novel GLP‐1 analogue in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Edison Paul 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundLiraglutide is a glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) analogue licensed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Preclinical evidence in transgenic models of Alzheimer’s disease suggests that liraglutide exerts neuroprotective effects by reducing amyloid oligomers, normalising synaptic plasticity and cerebral glucose uptake, and increasing the proliferation of neuronal progenitor cells.MethodThis is a multi‐centre, randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, phase IIb trial of liraglutide in participants with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s dementia, conducted at several centres in the UK.As a part of this study, MRI brain scans of all patients were performed at baseline and after 12 months treatment with liraglutide or matching placebo along with neuropsychometric evaluation and [18F]FDG PET. A total of 204 Alzheimer’s participants were randomised to receive either liraglutide or placebo as a daily subcutaneous injection for 12 months. All subjects had regular clinical visits and neuropsychometric evaluation at regular intervals. Repeat scans were performed in all subjects who completed 52 weeks of treatment. Volumetric changes from baseline to follow‐up in MRI scans were evaluated using both regional volume analysis and voxel‐based morphometric analysis.ResultMRI analysis demonstrated a slower decline of temporal lobe volume and total grey matter volume in liraglutide‐treated patients compared to the placebo group. Voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) analysis demonstrated that liraglutide‐treated participants showed a slower reduction in whole cortical grey matter, frontal, temporal and parietal lobe volume in participants treated with liraglutide compared to placebo. This was associated with slower decline in cognitive function.ConclusionThese findings highlight the potential of GLP‐1 analogues in the treatment of Alzheimer’s diseaseAuthors:Edison P, Femminella GD, Ritchie C, Holmes C, Nowell J, Walker Z, Ridha B., Raza S, Livingston NR, Frangou E, Love S, Williams G, Lawrence R, Mcfarlane B, Archer H, Coulthard E, Underwood B. R, Koranteng P, Karim S, Bannister C, Perneczky R, Prasanna A, Junaid K, McGuinness B, Nilforooshan R, Macharouthu A, Donaldson A, Thacker S, Russell G, Malik N, Mate V, Knight L, Kshemendran S, Holscher C, Mansouri A, Mae Chester‐Jones L, Holmes J, Tan T, Williams S, Brooks DJ, Harrison J, Hinz R, Tadros G, Passmore AP, Ballard C.
Defy Dementia: Mobilizing a Public Health Awareness Campaign for Dementia Prevention
Authors: Sekuler Allison B. , Aleong Rosanne , Rashid Shusmita , Boutcher Faith , Anderson Nicole D. , Dubroqua Sylvain , Leventhal Natalie 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundWhile age is the most significant risk factor for dementia, increased awareness and understanding of other modifiable risk factors of dementia, coupled with proactive lifestyle behavior changes, hold the potential to prevent dementia and improve the quality of life for older adults.Defy Dementia is a public health initiative, led by the Baycrest Academy for Research and Education (BARE) and funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada. It involves curating, co‐designing, and disseminating a series of knowledge products to raise public awareness of dementia prevention and reduce stigma associated with dementia. These knowledge products, including podcasts, minute‐videos, and infographics, aim to raise awareness about modifiable risk factors associated with dementia and empower individuals to take proactive measures.MethodTo assess the impact of our knowledge products our evaluation consisted of two main components: a) quantitative data obtained through an online survey on the project website (convenience sample); and b) qualitative data obtained through 4 focus groups (each with a selected group of 4‐8 participants, derived from the first convenience sample and event participants). Quantitative data will be exported from REDCap and explored through descriptive statistics using SAS System version 9.4 or R version 4.2. Thematic analysis of the focus group data will be performed using NVivo R.ResultBased on our hypothesis, we anticipate that individuals who engage with the knowledge products or attend an event will experience an improvement in their awareness and understanding of the modifiable risk factors associated with dementia, have enhanced knowledge about dementia prevention, exhibit behaviour change and have changed attitudes about PLWD.ConclusionWe will demonstrate how meaningfully engaging older adults, persons living with dementia, and their care partners in the design and dissemination of knowledge can not only improve the relevance and uptake of the knowledge but also foster empathy and reduce stigma associated with dementia. We will also engage the audience to consider how increased awareness of modifiable risk factors for dementia, coupled with action, has the potential to lower the risk of developing dementia, ultimately leading to its prevention or delay and enhancing the quality of life for older adults.
Associations Between Cognitive, Physical, and Mental Health and Baseline MIND Diet Scores in the U.S. POINTER Trial
Authors: Ventrelle Jennifer , Katula Jeffrey A. , Tangney Christy C , Garcia Katelyn R , Krueger Kristin R , Graef Sarah , Wilmoth Sharon , Heinrich Allison , Lopez Desiree , Baker Laura D 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundThe Mediterranean‐Dash Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet, featuring emphasis on green leafy and other colorful vegetables, berries, unsaturated fats, fish, and whole grains is a major component of the U.S. POINTER multi‐domain lifestyle intervention. The purpose of this study is to examine the associations among MIND diet screener scores, and measures of cognitive function, and physical and mental health at baseline.MethodU.S. POINTER is a randomized controlled trial of two multidomain lifestyle interventions. (n = 2112; mean age = 68.18±5.15y). Cognitive function measures included global, episodic memory, executive function, and processing speed, derived from the U.S. POINTER modified Neuropsychological Test Battery. Physical and mental health were assessed using measures of BMI, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, physical activity, the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and symptoms of psychological distress. Pearson correlations were used to estimate bivariate associations among variables. Generalized linear regression models were used to examine associations while controlling for demographic variables.ResultBaseline MIND diet screener scores were inversely associated with BMI (r = ‐0.09, p<.0001), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (r = ‐0.10, p<.0001), depression (r = ‐0.12, p<.0001), and PSQI (r = ‐0.09, p<0.0001). MIND diet scores were positively associated with frequency of moderate‐intensity exercise (r = 0.10, p<.000) and total health score (r = 0.09, p<.0001). Linear models revealed that after controlling for demographics, MIND diet scores remained associated with BMI, DBP, frequency of exercise, depression, and sleep quality and total health (See Table 1). MIND diet scores were not associated with measures of cognition.ConclusionIn U.S. POINTER, MIND diet scores were not associated with cognition; however, those with higher MIND diet scores had lower BMI, DBP depression and PSQI scores, as well as higher frequency of moderate‐intensity exercise, higher self‐reported health.
Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Diagnoses after an Annual Wellness Visit in a Large Primary Care Network
Authors: Suchsland Monica Zigman , Fitzpatrick Annette L. , Raetz Jaqueline G. , McKiddy Sarah , Hsu Amy P , Gaster Barak 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundThe increasing incidence of cognitive impairment in older adults poses significant, complex challenges for patients and their families. While specialists have traditionally addressed this care, there is an urgent need to shift diagnosis and management of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia to primary care. The annual wellness visit for Medicare recipients provides an excellent opportunity for primary care providers (PCPs) to assess patients who may need a cognitive evaluation.MethodWe aimed to describe the timing of dementia‐related diagnoses in a large primary care network from electronic health record (EHR) data. All coded encounter data for patients 65 years and older seen in one of 14 primary care clinics at the University of Washington from January 1, 2019‐ August 1, 2023 were extracted from the EHR system and summarized.ResultA total of 40,524 medical encounters for a Medicare annual wellness visit (AWV), billing code of G0439, were identified representing 17,179 unique patients. Of these, 187 (1.1%) had a first diagnosis of MCI, dementia or other cognitive impairment based on ICD 10 codes at a following clinic visit. The top diagnoses included dementia unspecified (36.9%), impaired cognition or other pre‐dementia diagnoses (26.2%), and Alzheimer’s Disease (23.0%). A median of 287 days (IQR 0‐587 days) elapsed between the AWV and coding of a dementia‐related diagnosis. Among encounters during which new dementia‐related diagnoses were documented, in 73% the primary diagnosis of the visit was a dementia‐related ICD‐10 diagnosis code; 27% listed other primary diagnoses (Table 1). Following a new dementia‐related diagnosis, a median of 3.3 (IQR 2‐5) primary care visits/year were made. Major comorbidities recorded in these visits included hypertension, diabetes, other cardiovascular conditions, chronic pulmonary disease, renal failure, other neurological disorders, and depression. The median weighted Charlson Comorbidity Index was 2.0 (IQR 0‐2).ConclusionThese data may be helpful baseline measures to evaluate future trends in dementia‐related diagnosis following AWV. As programs designed to provide training and support for diagnosis and management of cognitive impairment in primary care settings are implemented, it will be important to understand the role the AWV serves as a tool for PCPs.
Metabolomics approaches for capturing the chemical exposome and its influences on cognitive function and brain health
Authors: Moseley M Arthur , Fiehn Oliver , Dorrestein Pieter , Hyotylainen Tuulia , Oresic Matej , Wishart David , Zhao Nina , Kaddurah‐Daouk Rima F. ,   Alzheimer's Gut Microbiome Project Consortium (AGMP)
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundThere is growing interest in the role of environmental factors (i.e., exposome) in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s diseases. The exposome includes three categories: internal (e.g., metabolism, gut microbiome, inflammation), specific external (e.g., environmental pollutants, diet, drugs, occupational), and general external (e.g., socioeconomic status, education, climate). The metabolome provides a readout of the influences of the exposome, capturing the presence of a large number of chemical exposures and allowing an interrogation of the influences of these chemicals on cognition and brain imaging changes.MethodFour centers of excellence in metabolomics have used mass spectrometry‐based capabilities to provide broad coverage of the chemical exposome. A ‘ring trial’ was performed to determine the coverage of the metabolome/exposome using state‐of‐the‐art analytical tools. Human serum/plasma standards from diseased individuals ‐ Alzheimer’s, COPD, IBS, osteoarthritis, and Type 2 diabetes (BioIVT), and NIST standards (1950 and 1958) were analyzed, using LC‐MS/MS (targeted and untargeted), Direct Flow‐MS/MS and/or ICP‐MS. Similarly, we are measuring the exposome/metabolome in large studies of AD patients, including ADNI, ADRCs and the ROSMAP brain collection.ResultCompounds were classified by chemical class (ClassyFire), toxicity/source groups (EPA CompTox DB)), and disease association (Comparative Toxicogenomics DB). Using the available InChiKey and CAS numbers available, ClassyFire sorted compounds into 184 chemical classes, EPA CompTox DB sorted 1179 unique InChiKey descriptors into 93 groups (toxicity class and/or exposure source), including DrugBank, Hazardous Substances DB 2019, BLOOD Toxic Substances Control Act, COSMO cosmetics and FDA Food Substances. These included 7 neurological groups with over 100 ring trial compounds. These compounds were classified as endogenous compounds, foods, medications, industrial chemicals, surfactants, plasticizers, personal care, and pesticides (Figure 1). Identical studies are being performed using large cohorts of brain and blood samples, including from ADRCs and the ROSMAP collection. We will present highlights of the brain chemical exposome and its links to cognition.ConclusionBig data is being generated to capture the influences of the exposome on brain health, connecting these peripheral influences on brain metabolic health and disease, facilitating the development of novel therapeutic approaches targeting the exposome and its effect on brain health.
Ethyl acetate fruit fraction of tetrapleura tetraptera modulates cholinergic anti‐inflammatory pathways: an invivo and insilico study
Authors: Onimisi Oyinoyi Bethel , Ochai Joy , Salifu Boniface , Ekpo Ubong Udeme , Sadisu Muhammad , Idris Sherifat Banke , Oderinde Gbenga Peter , Danladi Jibrin 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundStudies suggest a potential link between stroke and Alzheimer’s disease wherein stroke may serve as a trigger for the onset or acceleration of Alzheimer’s pathogenesis as damage to the brain’s blood vessels may lead to the accumulation of amyloid beta protein which is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Recent research has shown that stroke treatment may hold the key to treating Alzheimer’s disease. The anti‐inflammatory potentials of Cholinergic signaling are a novel therapeutic target in memory decline associated with Alzheimer’s. Therefore, cholinergic agonists which play a crucial role in increasing the synaptic levels of acetylcholine could in turn downregulate inflammatory mediators as well as modulate Cholinergic signaling thereby improving cognitionMethodMolecular docking analysis of TT‐Fruits ligand against Iba1(PDB ID: 2d58), IL‐6 (PDB ID: 1Alu), and AChE (PDB ID: 5hfa) was conducted using Pyrex, Autodock Vina option with Galantamine and minocycline (MNC) as a control drugs to evaluate the molecular interactions between the ligands present in EAFFTT and inflammatory mediators implicated in stroke pathology. In‐vivo study was conducted as follows: 50 Male adult Wistar rats (200 – 220g) were randomly distributed into five groups: Group I‐Sham, and Group II‐V were subjected to Ischemia/Reperfusion (I/R) for 30 minutes and then treated daily with H2O, EAFFTT 200 mg/kg, EAFFTT 100 mg/kg, or MNC 50 mg/kg respectively, orally for seven days. Following this, the brains were extracted and processed for IL‐6 and AChE ELISA and IBA 1 immunohistochemistry for reactive microglia.Resultmolecular docking results predicted Aridanin and Echinocystic acid as the lead ligands in EAFFTT with a higher binding affinity with the proteins (Iba1, IL‐6, and AChE) than the control drugs. In the experimental study, I/R without treatment showed a significant increase in IL‐6, AChE, and the number of activated microglia. However, a significant decrease in IL‐6, AChE, and the number of reactive microglia was observed in I/R +EAFFTT (100 and 200 mg/kg), and I/R +MNC (50 mg/kg) ‐treated groupsConclusionTetrapleura tetraptera fruit phenolics docked well with IBA1, IL‐6 and AChE, thereby modulating their expression, as EAFFTT is a potential neurotherapeutic agent against stroke‐induced neuroinflammation
Sex‐Differences in the Association of 24‐h Blood Pressure Level and Variability with Subclinical Markers of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease
Authors: Garza Shana B , Charisis Sokratis , Patil Dhrumil , Vatcheva Kristina P. , Mejia‐Arango Silvia , Mena Luis Javier , Alliey‐Rodriguez Ney , Satizabal Claudia L , Chavez Carlos A , Gaona Ciro , Silva Egle , Lee Joseph H. , Terwilliger Joseph D. , Gutierrez Jose , Seshadri Sudha , Maestre Gladys E. , Melgarejo Jesus D 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundHigh blood pressure (BP) level and variability has been linked to stroke, cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), cognitive decline, and dementia. However, it is unclear whether sex/gender influences the association of BP level and variability with CSVD. Therefore, we aimed to examine sex‐differences in the association of CSVD with 24‐h BP level and variability.MethodsWe used 374 participants aged ≥40y from the Maracaibo Aging Study (women, 73.5%; mean age, 59.1y) who underwent 24‐h ambulatory BP monitoring and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The 24‐h systolic BP variability was quantified as the average real variability (ARV) index. Markers of CSVD were visualized on MRI scans and included log‐transformed white matter hyperintensities (log‐WMH) volume, and the presence (yes/no) of lacunes, cerebral microbleeds (CMB), or enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVS). The association of 24‐h systolic BP level and variability with markers of CSVD was analyzed using adjusted logistic and linear regression separately for men and women.ResultsOverall, men had greater log‐WMH volume (median, 2.9 vs. 2.5 cm3) and higher proportion of lacunes (18.2% vs. 8.7%) than women (P≤0.011). The proportion of CMB and EPVS was similar between women and men (P≥0.522). A higher 24‐h systolic BP level was associated with log‐WMH in men (adjusted β‐coefficient, 0.37; 95% CI 0.08, 0.21) and women (adjusted β‐coefficient, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.01, 0.09) as well as the presence of lacunes in both groups (the OR for men was 2.31 [95% CI, 1.08‐4.95] and for women was 1.55 [95% CI, 1.02‐2.37]). Only in women, a higher 24‐h ARV systolic BP was associated with log‐WMH (adjusted β‐coefficient, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.02, 0.10), lacunes (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.15‐2.84), and EPVS (OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.07‐2.60).ConclusionsWe found sex‐differences in the association 24‐h BP level and variability with markers of CSVD. In men, high 24‐h BP level had a greater impact on the burden of WMH and lacunes than in women whereas high 24‐h BP variability seems to be a risk for CSVD only in women. These results suggest the potential influence of sex in the relationship between vascular risk factors and CSVD.
Impacts of sex and ethnic background on the relationship between stress and hippocampal volumes
Authors: Stypulkowski Katie , Kaplan Nikki L , Levine Taylor F , Caldwell Jessica ZK 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundStress is known to have a negative impact on hippocampal volume (HCV) and convey higher risk for development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Previous research has established differences among older adults by racial/ethnic background in levels of stress (Brown, Mitchell, & Ailshire, 2020) and HCV (Bygrave et al., 2022). Further, women have been shown to retain brain volumes longer compared to men in the presence of other risk factors for AD (e.g., Cieri et al., 2022), but this research is primarily in non‐Hispanic White individuals (NHW). The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between stress and HCV across a multiethnic cohort, with the hypothesis that sex would moderate the relationship.MethodsData from the Health & Aging Brain Study ‐ Health Disparities was used, including African American (AA; n = 482), NHW (n = 817), and Mexican American (MA; n = 727) older adults. Prior to statistical analyses, HCVs were corrected via proportion of total intracranial volume. Six moderation regression analyses were employed to examine effects of chronic stress on HCVs. The Chronic Stress Scale total score was the independent variable, right and left HCVs were dependent variables, and sex was the moderator. Age and education were covariates.ResultsThere was a significant interaction between chronic stress and sex on right (t(711) = 2.53, p = .01) and left HCVs (t(719) = 2.57, p = .01) among MAs, such that MA men showed lower HCVs as chronic stress increased, while MA women showed no relationship, suggesting HCV resilience in the context of chronic stress. Sex did not moderate the relationship between stress and HCVs in NHW or AA groups.ConclusionsSex was found to moderate the relationship between stress and HCV among MAs, but not AAs or NHWs. MA men’s HCVs decreased as chronic stress increased, while MA women’s HCVs remained robust to high stress levels. MA men may be more vulnerable to the impacts of chronic stress in older age, suggesting chronic stress may be an important modifiable risk factor for AD in this group. Further work is needed to understand the impacts of stress as a risk for AD across various demographic groups.