Journal of Alzheimer's Disease - Volume 73, issue 2

Authors: Capp, Kimberly E. | Curiel Cid, Rosie E. | Crocco, Elizabeth A. | Stripling, Ashley | Kitaigorodsky, Marcela | Sierra, Luis A. | Melo, Jose G. | Loewenstein, David A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Semantic intrusion errors on memory tests may represent very early cognitive changes associated with elevated Alzheimer’s disease pathology within the brain, including amyloid-β (Aβ). Subscales that measure proactive semantic interference (PSI) and intrusions related to PSI on the Loewenstein Acevedo Scales of Semantic Interference and Learning (LASSI-L) have been associated with high levels of brain amyloid load, structural changes on brain MRI in Hispanic and non-Hispanic groups. It is presently unknown whether intrusion errors or other measures of the LASSI-L can differentiate between African-American (AA) older adults diagnosed with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) or classified as cognitively normal …(CN). Objective: This study examined the extent to which a high percentage of semantic intrusion errors on LASSI-L subscales susceptible to PSI and other LASSI-L measures could differentiate between AA aMCI and CN groups. Methods: Forty-eight AA older adults were recruited (27 CN and 21 aMCI) and received a through clinical and neuropsychological evaluation. The LASSI-L was administered independent of diagnostic classification. Results: With and without statistical adjustment for literacy, AA aMCI participants scored lower on all LASSI-L measures. ROC analyses revealed an area under the curve exceeding 90% and correctly classified 86% of AA aMCI with 82% specificity for AA CN participants. Conclusions: Percentage of intrusion errors on the LASSI-L subscales susceptible to PSI differentiated AA aMCI from AA CN. This adds to emerging evidence indicating that the LASSI-L may be culturally appropriate and can differentiate between aMCI and CN in diverse ethnic/cultural groups. Show more

Keywords: African Americans, Alzheimer’s disease, amyloid, cognitive assessment, diversity, intrusions, memory, mild cognitive impairment, neuropsychological tests, semantic interference

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-191022

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 73, no. 2, pp. 785-790, 2020

Authors: Wohlgemuth, Anne | Michalowsky, Bernhard | Wucherer, Diana | Eichler, Tilly | Thyrian, Jochen René | Zwingmann, Ina | Rädke, Anika | Hoffmann, Wolfgang

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Drug-related problems (DRP) are common in the elderly population, especially in people living with dementia (PwD). DRP are associated with adverse outcomes that could result in increased costs. Objective: The objective of the study was to analyze the association between DRP and healthcare costs in PwD. Methods: The analysis was based on the cross-sectional data of 424 PwD. Compliance, adverse effects, and drug administration of prescribed and over-the-counter drugs taken were assessed. DRP were identified and classified by pharmacists using an adapted German version of “PIE-Doc® ”. Healthcare utilization was assessed retrospectively used to calculated …costs from a public payer perspective using standardized unit costs. The associations between DRP and healthcare costs were analyzed using multiple linear regression models. Results: 394 PwD (93%) had at least one DRP. An inappropriate drug choice was significantly associated with increased total costs (b  = 2,718€; CI95% 1,448–3,988) due to significantly higher costs for hospitalization (b  = 1,936€; 670–3,202) and for medications (b  = 417€; 68–765). Problems with medication dosage and drug interactions were significantly associated with higher medication costs (b  = 679€; 31–1,328; and b  = 630€; 259–1,001, respectively). Conclusions: DRP could significantly lead to adverse outcomes for PwD and healthcare payers, reflected by a higher hospitalization and costs, respectively. Further research is needed to clarify on interventions and approaches efficiently avoiding DRP and on the effect on patient-reported and economic outcomes. Show more

Keywords: Dementia, health economics, hospitalization, potential inadequate medication

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-190819

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 73, no. 2, pp. 791-799, 2020

Authors: Albaret, Guillaume | Sifré, Elodie | Floch, Pauline | Laye, Sophie | Aubert, Agnès | Dubus, Pierre | Azzi-Martin, Lamia | Giese, Alban | Salles, Nathalie | Mégraud, Francis | Varon, Christine | Lehours, Philippe | Roubaud-Baudron, Claire

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Despite extensive research, the origin of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains unknown. The role of infectious pathogens has recently emerged. Epidemiological studies have shown that Helicobacter pylori infection increases the risk of developing AD. We hypothesized that H. pylori -induced gastritis may be associated with a systemic inflammation and finally neuroinflammation. C57BL/6 mice were infected with H. pylori (n  = 15) or Helicobacter felis (n  = 13) or left uninfected (n  = 9) during 18 months. Gastritis, amyloid deposition, astroglial and microglial cell area, and systemic and brain cytokines were assessed. The infection (H. felis > H. pylori ) induced a …severe gastritis and an increased neuroinflammation but without brain amyloid deposition or systemic inflammation. Show more

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, gastric inflammation, GFAP, Helicobacter infection , iba-1, neuroinflammation

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-190496

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 73, no. 2, pp. 801-809, 2020

Authors: Chen, Yanxing | Lin, Caixiu | Guo, Zhangyu | Zhao, Shuai | Zhu, Yueli | Huang, Fude | Shui, Guanghou | Lam, Sin Man | Pu, Jiali | Yan, Yaping | Liu, Zhirong | Zhang, Baorong

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Studies have demonstrated that the levels of phospholipids, including phosphatidylinositols (PIs), were decreased in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brain, presenting as a potential biomarker for AD. The plasma phospholipids levels have also been discovered to predict the conversion of cognitively normal elderly adults to amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) or demented patients. Objective: To investigate the expression profile of PIs in erythrocytes of AD and aMCI patients, which would serve as a blood-based method to distinguish AD and aMCI patients from normal controls (NC). Methods: In this study, we used anion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography to analyze …PIs alterations in erythrocytes from a total of 86 prospectively recruited subjects (including 24 NC, 21 aMCI patients, and 41 AD patients). Results: We found that the levels of PI40 : 4, PI3/5P, and PI(3,4)P2 in aMCI patients, and the levels of PI4P, PI(3,4)P2, and PI3/5P in AD patients were significantly decreased compared to NC. The changed expression profile of PIs could effectively discriminate AD and aMCI patients from NC (AUC = 0.964, 0.938, respectively). Conclusion: The altered expression profile of erythrocytes PIs might be a potential blood-based biomarker for AD and aMCI. This alteration of PIs probably reflected the impaired deformability and oxygen-carrying capacity of erythrocytes in AD and aMCI patients. Show more

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, biomarker, erythrocytes, mild cognitive impairment, phosphatidylinositols

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-190926

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 73, no. 2, pp. 811-818, 2020