bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Taurine and N‐acetylcysteine supplementation prevents memory impairment in high‐fat diet‐fed female mice
Authors: Garcia‐Serrano Alba M. , Duarte Joao M.N. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe risk to develop memory impairment in has been widely investigated in type 2 diabetes (T2D). There are several mechanisms proposed for T2D‐associated cognitive impairment, such as brain insulin resistance, synaptic dysfunction, inflammation, gliosis, or disruption of neuron‐astrocyte interactions (Garcia‐Serrano & Duarte, 2020). On the other hand, supplementation with the antioxidants taurine and N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) have been suggested to have benefits on reducing T2D phenotype and enhancing memory performance in diabetic mice models (Inam‐U‐Ilah et al, 2018). We aimed at studying mechanisms by which taurine and NAC improve memory in obesity‐associated T2D.MethodTen‐week‐old female C57Bl/6J mice were divided in 6 groups (n=10): control diet (CD 10%‐fat diet), high‐fat diet (HFD; 60% fat diet), CD/HFD supplemented with 3% taurine in drinking water (CD+T or HFD+T) or 3% N‐acetylcysteine (CD+NAC or HFD+NAC). After 2 months, hippocampal metabolic profiles were analysed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) under isoflurane anaesthesia, memory performance was evaluated by behavioural testing with the novel location recognition (NLR) and novel object recognition (NOR) tasks, and diabetes phenotype was measured by monitoring weight, glucose tolerance test and HOMA insulin resistance.ResultHFD group was overweight compared to CD group (p<0.01), with no effects of taurine or NAC. HFD‐fed mice showed glucose intolerance compared to CD mice (p<0.001). Although HFD+T and HFD+NAC groups were glucose intolerant but to a lesser degree than untreated HFD mice (p< 0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). None of the experimental groups displayed insulin resistance, neither memory impairment in the NOR test. The NLR test showed memory impairment in the HFD‐fed mice compared to controls (p<0.037), which was prevented by taurine and NAC treatments. The metabolic profile showed decreased concentration of the neuronal marker N‐acetylaspartate and lactate in the hippocampus of HFD‐fed mice compared to controls (p<0.01). While N‐acetylaspartate concentrations were recovered to control levels in both HFD+T and HFD+NAC mice, only HFD+NAC group recovered lactate concentration in the hippocampus.ConclusionMemory impairment in HFD‐fed mice was restored by taurine and NAC treatments, through mechanisms that involve metabolism in mitochondria, which is the organelle responsible for producing N‐acetylaspartate in neurons.Garcia‐Serrano & Duarte, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1177/0271678X20942397
Inam‐U‐Ilah et al, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726‐018‐2544‐4
The Caribbean‐American Dementia and Aging Study (CADAS): A multinational initiative to address dementia in Caribbean populations
Authors: Llibre‐Guerra Jorge J , Li Jing , Harrati Amal , Jiménez‐Velazquez Ivonne , Acosta Daisy M , Llibre‐Rodriguez Juan J , Liu Mao‐Mei , Dow William H 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundLatinos represent the fastest growing proportion of dementia cases among different ethnic groups. Most of the studies in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) include Latino populations within the same group, failing to sufficiently account for the real richness of linguistic, ethnic, ancestry, cultural, and socioeconomic diversity represented across Latino communities (e.g., Caribbean‐Hispanic vs Non Caribbean‐Hispanics), yet there is substantial AD disparities and disease heterogeneity among Hispanic groups.MethodsThe Caribbean‐American Dementia and Aging Study (CADAS) is a multinational initiative aimed to answer key questions regarding dementia determinants and consequences in Caribbean‐origin populations in origin communities as well as among emigrant populations in the United States. By building a collaborative team of leading Caribbean and U.S‐based dementia researches, CADAS will analyze differences in dementia prevalence and risk factor profiles between Caribbean‐Hispanics living in the main Hispanic Caribbean Islands and extend comparisons to Hispanic immigrant groups in the US as well as non‐Hispanic whites, exploiting the considerable difference in life course risk exposures across these populations.ResultsPreliminary findings from the CADAS study indicate that prevalence of dementia in the older Caribbean population is high, both in the main islands and in U.S. compared to non‐Hispanic‐whites. We found overall weaker associations between education and dementia probability in the three main Caribbean islands. By contrast, a stronger association between education and dementia probability was found in the US among non‐Hispanic whites, Mexican Hispanics, and non‐Mexican Hispanics; these persist even after controlling for income and wealth.ConclusionsThere are differential associations between SES risk factors, education, and dementia probability between Caribbean islands and the U.S., which may be attributed to differences across societies in risk factors correlated with education. The CADAS study will fill a critical gap in AD knowledge, exploiting rich variation in life‐course exposures to better disentangle genetic versus environmental determinants of dementia levels and disparities. Future studies within this populations will focus on early‐life socioeconomic status, gene by environment interactions and societal cost.
Outcomes valued by people living with dementia and their carers: A qualitative systematic review with a qualitative synthesis
Authors: Booi Laura , Wheatley Alison , Brunskill Greta , Banerjee Sube , Manthorpe Jill , Robinson Louise , Bamford Claire 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundGrowing numbers of interventions are being developed to support families living with dementia, but the extent to which they address the issues of most importance to people living with dementia and their carers is unclear. The aim of this review is to synthesise the best available qualitative evidence on the outcomes valued by (a) people living with dementia and (b) their carers, both for themselves and each other. This review is a part of a wider project aiming to improve post diagnostic support for people living with dementia and their carers.MethodWe will use thematic synthesis methodology. Studies from 1990 onwards will be eligible if they include qualitative data on the views of people living with dementia or their carers on valued outcomes or the lived experience of dementia. Databases to be searched include MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycInfo and Social Sciences Premium Collection, in addition to systematically gathered grey literature. Rayyan QCRI software will be used to manage the screening processes and NVivo software will be used to manage data extraction and analysis. The review will also critically evaluate the extent to which international recommendations address the areas of importance to people living with dementia and their families.ResultsThe results of this review will be presented at the conference.ConclusionThe findings will be of relevance to researchers, policy makers, and providers and commissioners of dementia services.
Alzheimer's disease detection using explainable AI on PET images
Authors: Weatheritt Jack , Palombit Alessandro , Manber Richard , Wolz Robin 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundAutomated detection of Alzheimer’s disease features from imaging is a widely worked on machine learning problem, facilitated by the amount of data available through programs such as ADNI. Consequently, “black‐box” neural networks are starting to become viable and accurate approaches to patient classification. However, such methods are typically opaque, and their results are difficult to interpret – limiting their deployment in clinical trials.Our aim through this work is to apply recent advances in explainable deep neural networks and show that our model is indeed sensitive to the underlying metabolic processes. This makes the deep learning prediction process more transparent.MethodWe use 520 AC‐PC aligned [18F]‐FDG‐PET scans from the ADNI cohort from AD and healthy control (CG) groups. These are then fed to a deep neural network (ResNet, 3.4 million parameters), which learns to classify each scan. We then validate predictive capabilities of the model on 120 previously unseen scans.Using the validation data, we also calculate a saliency map for each scan. The map represents regions that were important for the model’s prediction. For each layer of the neural network, we calculate a cross‐entropy like quantity amongst the activations for a given layer. A group‐wise value is then calculated by averaging the subject maps within each group. The resulting difference highlights which voxels are activated during AD/CG classification. Principal component analysis reveals the regions of spatial location highest variance in the activations.ResultThe algorithm scored a mean accuracy of 89.2%. This is comparable with other approaches in the literature. Average saliency maps and their 2nd principal component can be seen in figures 1, 2 and 3.ConclusionThe algorithm is shown to accurately distinguish between AD and CG. By using the tools outlined above, we probe how the model arrives at those conclusions. The directions of maximal variance in the saliency maps shows the importance of the precuneus and hippocampi (increased saliency magnitude). This is corroborated by the difference in the mean CG and AD maps. These regions are known areas of FDG hypometabolism – a result previously identified and available in the literature.
Use of amyloid PET scans in the clinical management of patients with cognitive decline in a naturalistic setting at a tertiary memory disorders clinic
Authors: Vives‐Rodriguez Ana , Wang Ryan , Schiloski Kylie A. , Hajos Gabor P. , Turk Katherine W. , Budson Andrew 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundAmyloid PET(aPET) is used to aid differential diagnosis, increase diagnostic confidence and assist with management of patients with cognitive decline. In the United States, aPETs are not often used because they are costly and not covered by insurance. VA Boston Healthcare System provides a unique opportunity where aPETs are available for clinical purposes and are ordered to assist in the differential diagnosis of patients with cognitive decline when clinically relevant. This study aims to determine which factors are associated with the use of aPET for diagnostic confirmation of AD in a naturalistic setting at a tertiary memory disorders clinic and to determine which factors predict an abnormal result.MethodWe conducted a retrospective review of all patients that were evaluated for cognitive decline at the Memory Disorders Clinic at Boston VA Medical Center from 9/2016 to 1/2020. Clinical information was extracted, including demographics, neuropsychological testing, and imaging studies. We compared patients' characteristics for whom an aPET was ordered and those for who a diagnosis was made without an aPET. We reviewed the characteristics of patients with positive vs. negative aPETResult565 patients were evaluated. 202 patients (35.75%) had an aPET as part of their workup; of these, 72 patients (36.5%) had an abnormal result. Factors associated with clinicians ordering the aPET were: younger age, longer clinical course, absence of amyloid angiopathy on MRI, and a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild dementia. When performing multivariate analysis of the clinical characteristics, imaging, and neuropsychological tests of patients, only a positive family history of dementia (p=0.004) and presence of false‐positives on recognition in the CERAD list learning task (p=0.004) were associated with an abnormal result.ConclusionIn this cohort, aPETs were ordered in younger patients who fulfilled the criteria for MCI and mild dementia, and had a longer clinical course. Only a family history of dementia and false‐positives on recognition during a list learning task were significantly associated with an abnormal result. The results of this study may be informative both regarding how aPET may be used if covered by insurance and regarding clues to determining underlying Alzheimer’s pathology without biomarkers.
Higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures are associated with loss of white matter integrity in postmenopausal women of the KEEPS Continuation Study
Authors: Kara Firat , Reid Robert I. , Schwarz Christopher G. , Tosakulwong Nirubol , Lesnick Timothy G. , Zuk Samantha M. , Kendall‐Thomas June , Thostenson Kaely , Reyes Denise A. , Fields Julie A. , Senjem Matthew L. , Min Hoon‐Ki , Lowe Val J. , Jack Clifford R. , Bailey Kent R. , James Taryn T. , Lobo Rogerio A. , Manson JoAnn E. , Pal Lubna , Hammers Dustin B. , Malek‐Ahmadi Michael H. , Cedars Marcelle I. , Naftolin Frederick , Miller Virginia M. , Harman Sherman M. , Dowling N. Maritza , Gleason Carey E. , Kantarci Kejal 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundElevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) are risk factors for white matter (WM) injury associated with cognitive decline and dementia. White matter hyperintensities (WMH) on MRI, markers of WM injury, increase with aging and are more common in women than in men after the age of 60. We examined SBP and DBP in relation to WMH volume and diffusion MRI measures of WM integrity in postmenopausal women.MethodWomen (n=144) with median age of 67 (range 58‐72) and of good cardiovascular health who were previously enrolled in the multi‐site randomized clinical trial, Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study (KEEPS), participated in the present observational KEEPS Continuation Study. SBP, DBP, and MRI data were collected approximately 9 years after the end of KEEPS menopausal hormones versus placebo 4‐year interventions. WM integrity was assessed with WMH volume measurements (log transformed) on structural MRI and with measures of WM microstructure on diffusion MRI. Multiple linear regression analyses, adjusted for age, were used to test for associations of SBP and DBP with MRI measures.ResultThe median SBP was 128 (range 86‐180) and DBP was 77 (range 47‐106). Higher SBP (r=0.332;p=0.015) and DBP (r=0.346;p=0.007) were associated with higher WMH volumes. Among the WM tracts, higher SBP was associated with lower fractional anisotropy (FA) in lateral orbitofrontal gyrus WM (r=0.198;p=0.039) and sagittal stratum (r=0.226;p=0.043), and higher DBP was associated with lower FA in the superior occipital gyrus WM (r=0.370;p=0.045). Higher SBP and DBP were associated with higher mean diffusivity (MD) in the external capsule [(r=0.311;p=0.007);(r=375;p<0.001)] and the fronto‐occipital fasciculus [(r=0.286;p=0.016); (r=0.303;p=0.008)]. Furthermore, higher DBP was associated with higher MD in the anterior corona radiata (r=0.233;p=0.039), internal capsule (r=0.303;p=0.042), and the middle (r=0.275; p=0.03) and superior frontal gyrus (r=0.269;p=0.03) WM.ConclusionElevated SBP and DBP measurements are associated with greater WM injury in postmenopausal women. In particular, the frontal lobe WM and its connecting tracts may be more vulnerable to elevation in SBP and DBP. Whether BP control reduces the risk for WM injury, a risk factor for dementia, in post‐menopausal women warrants study.
PENSA study for the prevention of cognitive decline in APOE‐ɛ4 carriers with subjective cognitive decline: Baseline preliminary demographic and neuropsychological description of the study population
Authors: Forcano Laura , Soldevila‐Domenech Natalia , Cuenca Aida , Lorenzo Thais , Boronat Anna , Piera Iris , Puig‐Pijoan Albert , Knezevic Iva , Fauria Karine , Molinuevo Jose , de la Torre Rafael 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundIn the absence of effective treatments to reverse cognitive deterioration related to Alzheimer's disease (AD), nonpharmacological secondary prevention interventions at early preclinical stages have been found to be a promising strategy to prevent cognitive decline. In this context, the PENSA study, framed within the WW‐FINGERS consortium, is a randomized clinical trial involving cognitively normal elderly individuals with an increased risk of developing AD (meeting subjective cognitive decline, SCD‐plus criteria and being APOE‐ɛ4 carriers). The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of a multimodal personalized lifestyle intervention (dietary and physical activity counseling and cognitive training) combined with a dietary supplement, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in slowing down cognitive decline.MethodIn this work we present the baseline sociodemographic, mood and cognitive characteristics of the already enrolled sample. Cognitive function was measured with the Alzheimer Disease Cooperative Study Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite (ADCS‐PACC) and adding to this original version the interference score from the Stroop Color and Word Test and the Five Digit Test (ADCS‐PACC‐Plus‐exe). Additionally, the Digit Span, the Boston Naming Test and the Animal Fluency Test were administered. Psychological distress was measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.ResultOn January 2021 the study had enrolled 68 individuals (62% women) with a mean (SD) age of 67.4 (4.6) years and the following APOE genotype: 83% ɛ3/ɛ4, 13% ɛ4/ɛ4 and 4% ɛ2/ɛ4. Most had higher education (66.2%) and 84% were retired (Table 1). Mild and moderate symptoms of psychological distress were present in 14.7% and 23.5% of participants, respectively. The mean (SD) number of cognitive domains affected (memory, concentration, language, visuospatial skills), measured by an ad‐hoc SCD questionnaire, were 2.54 (±0.9). 77.3% of participants referred memory centered complaints. Considering the different domains, participants reported alterations on memory (97.1%), concentration (73.5%), language (67.6%) and visuospatial skills (11.8%). SCD profiles are shown in Figure 1. Table 2 shows the ADCS‐PACC‐Plus‐exe scores.ConclusionThe PENSA study will provide valuable information on the effect of a lifestyle intervention supplemented with EGCG to prevent cognitive decline and will aid to share light on the benefit of these strategies in people at‐risk of developing AD.
The role of Alzheimer’s disease pathology in frontotemporal dementia related syndromes
Authors: Cordero Indira Ruth Garcia , Snook Emily , Multani Namita , Taghdiri Foad , Salvo Cristina , Anor Cassandra Jessica , Vasilevskaya Anna , Varriano Brenda Maricela , Misquitta Karen , Tang‐Wai David F. , Trataglia Maria Carmela 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundCorticobasal syndrome (CBS) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) are two syndromes associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) with heterogeneous presentation and progression. Co‐pathology of FTLD and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has been described and could influence the clinical presentation of CBS and PSP. The goal of this study is to evaluate the role of AD pathology in CBS and PSP, by analyzing functional and structural neuroimaging and memory performance.MethodPatients with a clinical diagnosis of PSP and CBS (n=15) and AD (n=18) underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Patients were separated according to AD biomarker positivity (CBS‐PSP‐AD, n=6) and negativity (CBS‐PSP‐noAD, n=9) based on the presence of AD biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid. FMRI images were preprocessed to assess connectivity differences in the default mode network (DMN). DTI was analyzed to trace the bilateral superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) and extract its fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity. Verbal learning and memory were assessed with the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT‐II) and the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s disease (CERAD) of the Toronto Cognitive Assessment, and the z‐scores were compared between groups.ResultThe DMN showed reduced functional connectivity in the groups with AD biomarker positivity (CBS‐PSP‐AD and AD patients) relative to the CBS‐PSP‐noAD group. Specifically, reduced connectivity was observed between the left angular gyrus and the left (T(23) = ‐4.02, p‐FDR= 0.02) and right (T(23) = ‐3.48, p‐FDR=0.04) lateral parietal regions in AD vs CBS‐PSP‐noAD. Reduced connectivity was found between the left angular gyrus, the posterior cingulate cortex (T(11) = ‐4.72, p‐FDR=0.02) and the right hippocampus (T(11) = ‐3.94, p‐FDR=0.04) in CBS‐PSP‐AD vs CBS‐PSP‐noAD. No differences were found in DMN connectivity in AD vs CBS‐PSP‐AD. SLF tractography metrics showed no difference between groups. Both CBS‐PSP‐AD and AD patients had significantly worse delayed memory scores than the CBS‐PSP‐noAD group (post‐hoc p‐FDR=0.01).ConclusionThere are similarities between AD positive biomarker groups (CBS‐PSP‐AD and AD patients) in functional connectivity and memory scores, with these groups differing from the CBS‐PSP‐noAD patients. These results suggest that pathology can mediate functional connectivity patterns and influence clinical manifestation.
Cognitive training in institutionalized older adults using telecommunication technology during social isolation
Authors: Alves Larissa Scoralich , Menezes Ana Clara Nogueira , Alves Gabrielle Sevidanes , Gonçalves Gabriel Henrique Velozo , de Oliveira Ian Peratelli , Silva Suzana Raquel Duque , Freitas Eduarda Rezende , Barbosa Altemir José , Shigaeff Nadia 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundSince last year the world has faced a pandemic. In Brazil it caused one of the World´s highest rate of death and it is known that the older adults are in the risk group for having worse outcomes of the disease and therefore need to be in strict social isolation. Previous studies have indicated cognitive and mood performance improvement from cognitive training in older adults, but there isn´t enough scientific evidence on the effectiveness of these training performed remotely by telecommunication technology.MethodsThe study was developed with 12 older people from a public long term care institution who completed all the phases of this study. The individuals were included in a group according to cognitive performance: (1) cognitively preserved; (2) mild cognitive impairment; and (3) severe cognitive impairment. They were evaluated through a cognitive and depression assessment tools. The instruments were applied in two moments: before and five months after the cognitive training intervention.Results84% were female with a mean age of 78.0±9.3 years and 4.3±4.0 years of schooling (Table 1). There was no significant improvement in cognitive (20.6 ± 6.1 vs. 20.4 ± 7.6, p = 0.86) or mood performance (2.4 ± 1.7 vs. 2.5 ± 1.9, p = 0.80) (Table 2).ConclusionConsidering the need for social isolation the evaluated older persons were deprived for a long time of contact with family members and other activities at the institution, which could have caused a negative impact on their cognitive performance. The present results could be interpreted as if the remote cognitive training contributed to protect the cognitive performance from worsening. Also, it was only possible to carry out a few sessions of training and maybe, with more sessions, the effect could have shown significant results. The training effect could have been lost because of the time that passed between the end of the intervention and the second assessment in the groups. In addition, there is still no scientific evidence on the effectiveness of remote training as opposed to in person training. Thus, more studies are needed to validate remote cognitive training as an effective strategy.