bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perspective taking and its structural correlates in early Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Parizkova Martina , Kalinova Jana , Nedelska Zuzana , Vyhnalek Martin , Hort Jakub , Laczó Jan 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundThere is an increasing effort to find simple and reliable tests for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer´s disease (AD). Spatial orientation deficits are present early in AD and could thus serve as an early cognitive marker of the disease. We aimed to evaluate the potential of perspective taking tests to identify individuals with early AD and to determine associations between perspective taking and volumes of the selected brain regions affected in early AD.Method66 participants with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and positive AD‐biomarkers (aMCI due to AD, n=22), aMCI and negative biomarkers (aMCI AD‐negative, n=15), mild AD dementia (n=7) and cognitively normal (CN) older adults (n=22) underwent clinical and neuropsychological evaluation, MRI brain scan with automated volumetry, AD‐biomarker assessment and two perspective taking tasks: Standardized Road‐Map test of Direction Sense (RMTDS) and Perspective Taking/Spatial Orientation Test (PTSOT). In the RMTDS, the participants followed a pathway on a city map indicating a direction of turning at each intersection. The PTSOT included pictures of arrays of objects and participants indicated direction between selected objects.ResultThe aMCI due to AD and mild AD dementia groups had lower scores than the CN group (p<0.05) in the PTSOT. The aMCI due to AD group had a lower score compared to the CN group (p<0.05) in the RMTDS. There were no differences between the CN and aMCI AD‐negative groups in both tests. PTSOT scores correlated with volumes of the right inferior temporal gyrus and right and left precuneus.ConclusionThe perspective taking tests reliably detect spatial orientation impairment typical for early stages of AD. Worse performance in the PTSOT was associated with smaller volumes of the brain regions affected early in AD.
Brief digital cognitive assessment for detection of cognitive impairment in low‐ and middle‐income countries
Authors: Rodriguez‐Salgado Ana M , Llibre‐Guerra Jorge J , Peñalver Ana Ibis , Tsoy Elena , Bringas Giosmany , Guerra Juan C Llibre , Erlhoff Sabrina J , Allen Isabel Elaine , Valcour Victor , Kramer Joel H , Miller Bruce L , Possin Kate L , Llibre‐Rodriguez Juan J 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundRapid technological advances offer a possibility to develop cost‐effective digital cognitive assessment tools. However, it is unclear whether these measures are suitable for application in populations from Low and Middle‐Income Countries (LMIC).MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study, we examined the accuracy and validity of the Brian Health Assessment (BHA) in detecting cognitive impairment in a Cuban population; 146 participants (cognitively healthy=53, MCI=46, dementia=47) were recruited at primary care and tertiary clinics. The main outcomes included: accuracy of the BHA in discriminating between controls and cognitively impaired groups (MCI and dementia) and correlations between the BHA subtests of memory, executive functions, and visuospatial skills and criterion‐standard paper‐and‐pencil tests in the same domains.ResultsThe BHA had an AUC of .95 (95% CI: .91‐ .98) in discriminating between controls and cognitively impaired groups (MCI and dementia, combined) with .91 sensitivity at .85 specificity. In discriminating between control and MCI groups only, the BHA tests had an AUC of .94 (95% CI: .90‐ .99) with .71 sensitivity at .85 specificity. Performance was superior to the MoCA across all diagnostic groups. Concurrent and discriminant validity analyses showed moderate to strong correlations between the BHA tests and standard paper‐and‐pencil measures in the same domain and weak correlations with standard measures in unrelated domains.ConclusionsThe BHA has excellent performance characteristics in detecting cognitive impairment including dementia and MCI in a Hispanic population in Cuba and outperformed the MoCA. These results support potential application of digital cognitive assessment for older adults in LMIC.
Neural correlates of agitation mediate the relationship between severity of depressive symptoms and memory function in healthy older adults
Authors: Park Hajeong , Park Hyeyoung , Chey Jeanyung 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundDepressive symptoms in older adults are known to be associated with memory dysfunction. Among those symptoms, agitation is a key symptom that differentiates late life depression from general depression and is suggested as a risk factor for developing dementia. However, little is known about the relationship between depressive symptoms, including agitation, and memory function in non‐clinical elderly populations. This study aimed to find the underlying mechanism of the relationship between the severity of depressive symptoms and memory by analyzing the neural correlates of agitation.MethodOne hundred sixty‐eight healthy older adults (mean age = 72.98, SD = 6.57) were administered the Elderly Memory disorder Scale (EMS), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and resting‐state fMRI. A sub‐score of the GDS reflecting agitation was used, which was constructed by network analysis of the GDS in a previous study. Functional connectivity (FC) matrices were constructed for each individual, and connections showing the effect of agitation were extracted in group‐level analysis with the effects of age, gender, and years of education controlled . These connections were confirmed to truly reflect agitation by a leave‐one‐out cross‐validation method. FC values were then used as mediators to investigate the relationships between the total GDS score and memory indices from the EMS.ResultsFunctional connectivities between the ROIs of the sensorimotor network, among others associated with agitation including the frontal cortices (supplementary motor area, inferior frontal gyrus, prefrontal cortex, pre/postcentral gyrus, paracingulate gyrus, operculum) and parts of the cerebellum (anterior cerebellum, vermis), were found to mediate the relationship between the total GDS score and the long‐term memory recall index. Therefore, people with stronger FC in these regions demonstrated worse recall performance as GDS score increasedConclusionThese results suggest that somatosensory hypersensitivity, due to excessive activation of the sensorimotor network associated with agitation, is the neural mechanism which explains how late life depression can lead to memory dysfunction.
Norms for Hispanic older adults on the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center’s Uniform Data Set 3.0 Neuropsychological Battery
Authors: Rosado‐Bruno Mónica , Reyes Marcos , Kiselica Andrew M 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundLimited availability of norms for cognitive tests among older adult Hispanic individuals leads to problems with diagnosis, prognosis, and intervention. Moreover, few studies have evaluated the impact of language of test administration (i.e., Spanish vs. English) on test performance in this group.MethodMultivariate regressions were used to evaluate the impact of demographic factors on neuropsychological test performance in a sample of cognitively normal individuals tested with the Uniform Data Set 3.0 (n = 445). Demographically adjusted norms were created for both the overall Hispanic sample, as well as for regional cultural groups, using a regression‐based approach. Formulas were incorporated into a user‐friendly calculator for easy use in clinical settings and future research.ResultAge demonstrated a negative relationship with all cognitive scores, inversely to education. Female sex and English testing language were significantly associated with better performance on multiple tests. However, the contrary effect was found with respect to the Multilingual Naming Test. Generally consistent results were reported in assessed regional cultural subgroups.ConclusionResults provide much needed methods to assist with interpreting cognitive test data among older Hispanic adults. Language of test administration emerged as a critical factor for score interpretation, with scores favoring English speakers.
Nevada exploratory Alzheimer’s disease research center: Advancing dementia care in rural communities
Authors: Sabbagh Marwan Noel , Ritter Aaron , Cummings Jeffrey L. , Wint Dylan , Decourt Boris , Wong Christina G , Caldwell Jessica ZK , Kinney Jefferson W , Carriere Lucille , Cordes Dietmar , Fulkerson Nadia , Almoraissi Abla , Mandarino LeeAnn , Hartley Katurah , Shan Guogen , Miller Justin B , John Samantha E , Lombardo Joseph 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundPeople with MCI and AD living in rural areas represent an understudied and underserved population in the broader AD landscape. Very little works have been done on rural cohorts by NIA‐designated Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRCs) in the past. The Nevada Exploratory ADRC (NVeADRC) is specifically set to study AD and related dementias in rural individuals, and to systematically generate novel data on the clinical features of AD, clinical outcomes, and social determinants of health.MethodThe leading scientific objectives of the NVeADRC are to: 1) understand the occurrence of AD and optimize treatment in underserved rural settings; 2) examine risk factors associated with the development of AD in rural areas; and 3) evaluate the trajectories and progression of AD in rural versus urban communities. The NVeADRC will deploy a top‐down strategy to: 1) establish a network of stakeholders and medical partners to increase awareness of dementia in rural communities and enroll rural participants in our research cohort; 2) develop a research enterprise for longitudinal studies on dementia in rural populations; 3) progressively implement a research infrastructure rooted in technology to facilitate standardized clinical data collection from patients in rural areas.ResultThe data collected will be part of the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (NACC) and shared with the larger scientific community to ultimately to improve healthcare for patients in rural areas. Target recruitment for the NVeADRC include 20 Mild Cognitive Impairment, 40 dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease and 40 cognitively normal subjects. In addition to the Uniform Data Set 3.0, we intend to collect volumetric MRI, biofluids (blood, saliva, and cerebrospinal fluid), as well as, a series of both static and dynamic social determinants of health on study subjects and their partners. All participants will be followed to voluntary withdrawal or autopsy.ConclusionThe NVeADRC represents a unique, high impact entity within the ADRC network, and will generate high‐quality biomedical data that advance AD/ADRD research on individuals living in underserved rural communities. As we grow our project, we intend to share biospecimens and data with the scientific community.
Affective and cognitive deficits in a novel AD mouse model: A role for noradrenaline and inflammation
Authors: Sedgwick Katie Sarah , Dwyer Dominic , Good Mark A , Saito Takashi 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundDepression has been robustly linked to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) often occurring before the onset of cognitive decline. The affective symptoms that accompany this decline are also frequently overlooked but could offer insights into the early stages of the disease and how it progresses. To examine this link in detail, animal models are good at offering a controlled and detailed assessment which could uncover whether affective insults are merely a symptom or play a significant role in disease onset. Furthermore, gender is rarely considered despite being an important risk factor for AD so understanding sex differences in disease progression will further aid this mechanistic research. For these reasons, assessing the affective and cognitive deficits of an AD mouse model will be compared to neurological insults of relevant brain areas (i.e. Locus Coeruleus (LC)) and inflammation.MethodUsing a novel Knock‐in mouse model, the AppNL‐G‐F
, behavioural analysis was used to examine affective deficits in a young cohort (n=96) aged 5‐7 months using Open field, Object in Place, Social preference test, elevated plus maze and Lick Cluster analysis. Immunohistochemistry stain for Tyrosine Hydroxylase will show any insults to the LC while a plaque and microglia stain will spatially show the inflammatory response around amyloid aggregation.ResultAt this early time point, no affective deficits were found aside from a reduction in distance moved by the AppNL‐G‐F
in the open field which could be indicative of a depressive‐like symptom but, in the absence of other deficits, will be taken at face value. There were no significant gender differences in any of the tests and this absence of behavioural effects are examined in relation to degree of neurological insult.ConclusionAs expected, the young cohort’s lack of behavioural deficits mean they offer a good baseline before AD insult to contrast with an older (12‐14 months) cohort. This comparison is in progress assess affective symptom progression in relation to LC damage, inflammation and amyloid pathology.
Leveraging virtual reality to train certified nursing assistants as essential dementia‐care personnel in the age of COVID‐19
Authors: Balas Johanna S. , Phelps Emily Broman , Shaw Carrie , Washington Erin , Glover Crystal M , Ludwig Ghausia A , Bennett David A. , Fleischman Debra A , Volgman Annabelle Santos , Aggarwal Neelum T. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundCOVID‐19 has placed an extraordinary and disproportionate level of responsibility and risk on certified nursing assistants (CNAs) caring for persons with dementia (PWD) relative to their training, resources, and compensation levels. Nearly one‐quarter of COVID‐19 deaths in the United States have been nursing home residents and staff. Despite providing the majority of direct care, CNAs are amongst the most under‐resourced and under‐trained frontline workers. Given their essentiality, it is critical to support CNAs during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The purpose of this work is to provide CNAs with a space to strengthen their knowledge and confidence in caring for PWD. This pilot study applies a virtual reality (VR) curriculum to train CNAs regarding the lived experiences of PWD and their loved ones. The VR vignette portrays a Latinx woman, Beatriz, through progressive stages of Alzheimer’s disease.MethodChicago Methodist Senior Services (CMSS) CNAs were recruited (N=7; 86% female, 86% Black) for a seven‐week online training program consisting of 1.5 hours per week. Each class included a didactic lecture and an Embodied Labs VR module depicting a first‐person experience of dementia through a distributive model approach. The program concluded with two recorded focus groups. Participants completed the UCLA Geriatric Attitudes Scale, a dementia knowledge assessment, the Interpersonal Reactivity Index surveys, and a COVID‐19 Impact questionnaire. Current analyses include qualitative content analysis for focus group data and descriptive, quantitative statistics for pre‐and post‐VR intervention surveys.ResultPreliminary results demonstrate that CNAs endorsed a positive change in attitudes toward older adults (p=0.069), a deepened understanding of dementia, and increased confidence in caregiving skills. Focus groups allowed CNAs to discuss changes in resident behavior and support one another through a virtual platform during a global pandemic.ConclusionCombining traditional didactic lectures with VR‐based curricula provided CNAs with foundational knowledge and first‐hand experience of dementia pathology. Participants reported greater levels of insight and empathy for PWD. Future aims include expansion of training content to include end‐of‐life conversations, LGBTQIA aging, and Lewy body dementia.
Education and brain amyloid load act on temporal lobe function in individual with subjective memory complaint: An EEG‐fMRI study
Authors: Lizio Roberta , Lopez Susanna , Hampel Harald , Chiesa Patrizia Andrea , Del Percio Claudio , Noce Giuseppe , Teipel Stefan J. , González‐Escamilla Gabriel , Bakardjian Hovagim , Cavedo Enrica , Lista Simone , Vergallo Andrea , Lemercier Pablo , Spinelli Giuseppe , Grothe Michel J. , Potier Marie‐Claude , Stocchi Fabrizio , Ferri Raffaele , Habert Marie‐Odile , Dubois Bruno , Babiloni Claudio ,   INSIGHT‐preAD Study Group
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe cognitive reserve (CR) moderate the effect of brain pathophysiology on cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) continuum. In a previous study on individuals with subjective memory complaint (SMCs), a condition at risk for AD, from the INSIGHT‐preAD cohort, we found that CR altered the association of amyloid load with neurophysiological mechanisms generating posterior electroencephalographic (EEG) alpha rhythms in quiet wakefulness. We used educational attainment (Edu) as an indicator of CR.MethodIn the present work we tested the hypothesis of the interaction of Edu and cerebral amyloid‐b load with the association between posterior alpha rhythms, as revealed by resting‐state EEG (rsEEG) activity, and functional connectivity, as revealed by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI, 3‐Tesla Verio system), among cholinergic basal forebrain (BF), thalamus, and posterior cortical areas. Resting‐state EEG and fMRI data were acquired in 318 cognitively intact individuals (age between 70 and 85 years) with SMC. Participants were stratified into two groups of amyloid‐positive (SMCpos) and ‐negative (SMCneg), using the standard diagnostic markers of Alzheimer's neuropathology based on cortical‐to‐cerebellum standardized uptake value ratio in the PET imaging. Then, the education attainment level was used to stratify the SMC participants in those with a low‐to‐moderate education level (SMC Edu‐) and those with a high education level (SMC Edu+).ResultResults showed a significant positive association between temporal alpha rhythms and above‐mentioned functional connectivity in the SMC cases with low brain amyloid accumulation and education attainment (SMCneg Edu‐). In contrast, the SMCneg Edu+ seniors showed the amplest posterior alpha rhythms, but not a positive association between temporal alpha rhythms and fMRI connectivity among cholinergic BF, thalamus, and posterior cerebral cortex, possibly due to a (annulation) of high CR. Of note, the SMCpos Edu+ seniors showed this positive association, possibly due to the (neutralization) of CR and brain amyloidosis (Figure 1).ConclusionThe present results suggest that, in SMC seniors, high CR affects cortical neural synchronization mechanisms generating posterior rsEEG alpha rhythms, but not through the ascending cholinergic system to the posterior cortex. Unfortunately, these CR effects may be annulled at earlier stages of Alzheimer's amyloid pathophysiology.
Comparison neuropsychological test between early‐onset and late‐onset Alzheimer’s disease patients
Authors: Tong Trang Mai 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundEarly‐ onset Alzheimers disease (EOAD) has been overshadowed by the more common late‐ onset AD (LOAD) due to differ diverse clinical features and frequency of nonamnestic presentation.MethodCase‐series. Cases selected among the patient diagnosed Alzheimer disease (probable‐ DSM 5) with MMSE scores ≥ 15.Result21 EOAD and 27 LOAD were analyzed neuropsychological test: MMSE, clock‐drawing test, modified Boston naming, verb fluency, trail‐making A, immediate recall, delayed recall, delayed recognition, digit span forward, digit span backward. EOAD group have worse result at modified Boston naming test and clock‐drawing test (p <0.05), represented language and visual impairment than LOAD.ConclusionEOAD have differ neuropsychological test from LOAD.
Higher intraindividual variability in neuropsychological test performance is associated with reduced cerebral blood flow in older adults
Authors: Holmqvist Sophia L. , Thomas Kelsey R. , Edmonds Emily C. , Calcetas Amanda T. , Edwards Lauren , Bangen Katherine J. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundIntraindividual variability (IIV) across neuropsychological measures within a single testing session has become a promising sensitive marker predictive of cognitive decline and development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We have previously shown that higher IIV is associated with medial temporal lobe atrophy. However, to our knowledge, IIV has yet to be examined in relation to cerebral blood flow (CBF). Therefore, we examined associations between IIV and regional CBF among older adults free of dementia.Method141 Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) participants underwent neuropsychological testing, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and florbetapir positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. The IIV index was calculated as the intraindividual standard deviation across 6 demographically‐corrected neuropsychological measures. Mean neuropsychological performance was computed as the mean of the 6 z‐scores. Pulsed arterial spin labeling MRI was used to quantify CBF. Six free‐surfer derived a priori CBF regions of interest were examined: entorhinal cortex, hippocampus, inferior temporal cortex, inferior parietal cortex, rostral middle frontal gyrus, and medial orbitofrontal cortex. PET amyloid‐β (Aβ) positivity was determined using the recommended threshold for cross‐sectional florbetapir of 1.11 using whole cerebellum as the reference region.ResultIn the entire sample, linear regression models showed that after adjusting for age, sex, mean neuropsychological performance, and regional cortical thickness, greater IIV was significantly associated with lower inferior parietal CBF (β=‐2.712, p=.004), inferior temporal CBF (β=‐3.259, p=.001), and reduced entorhinal CBF at trend level (β=‐.407, p=.073). Sensitivity analyses showed that among Aβ+ individuals, greater IIV was significantly associated with lower CBF in inferior parietal (β=‐2.729, p=.018) and inferior temporal regions (β=‐2.704, p=.043). In Aβ‐ individuals, there were no significant associations between IIV and CBF (all ps>.05).ConclusionIIV may be sensitive to early cerebrovascular changes in AD‐vulnerable regions above and beyond demographics, mean neuropsychological performance, and cortical thickness. These relationships were seen among Aβ+ individuals, suggesting that IIV may be a marker of early brain changes among those individuals on the AD continuum. Future studies should examine how IIV may predict future brain and cognitive changes in more diverse samples and among those with greater vascular risk burden.