Journal of Alzheimer's Disease - Volume 82, issue 4

Authors: Quattrini, Giulia | Marizzoni, Moira | Pizzini, Francesca B. | Galazzo, Ilaria Boscolo | Aiello, Marco | Didic, Mira | Soricelli, Andrea | Albani, Diego | Romano, Melissa | Blin, Olivier | Forloni, Gianluigi | Golay, Xavier | Jovicich, Jorge | Nathan, Pradeep J. | Richardson, Jill C. | Salvatore, Marco | Frisoni, Giovanni B. | Pievani, Michela | on behalf of the PharmaCog Consortium

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Previous studies reported default mode network (DMN) and limbic network (LIN) brain perfusion deficits in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), frequently a prodromal stage of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the validity of these measures as AD markers has not yet been tested using MRI arterial spin labeling (ASL). Objective: To investigate the convergent and discriminant validity of DMN and LIN perfusion in aMCI. Methods: We collected core AD markers (amyloid-β 42 [Aβ42 ], phosphorylated tau 181 levels in cerebrospinal fluid [CSF]), neurodegenerative (hippocampal volumes and CSF total tau), vascular (white matter hyperintensities), genetic …(apolipoprotein E [APOE ] status), and cognitive features (memory functioning on Paired Associate Learning test [PAL]) in 14 aMCI patients. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was extracted from DMN and LIN using ASL and correlated with AD features to assess convergent validity. Discriminant validity was assessed carrying out the same analysis with AD-unrelated features, i.e., somatomotor and visual networks’ perfusion, cerebellar volume, and processing speed. Results: Perfusion was reduced in the DMN (F  = 5.486, p  = 0.039) and LIN (F  = 12.678, p  = 0.004) in APOE ɛ4 carriers compared to non-carriers. LIN perfusion correlated with CSF Aβ42 levels (r  = 0.678, p  = 0.022) and memory impairment (PAL, number of errors, r  = –0.779, p  = 0.002). No significant correlation was detected with tau, neurodegeneration, and vascular features, nor with AD-unrelated features. Conclusion: Our results support the validity of DMN and LIN ASL perfusion as AD markers in aMCI, indicating a significant correlation between CBF and amyloidosis, APOE ɛ4, and memory impairment. Show more

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, arterial spin labeling, brain perfusion, default mode network, limbic network, mild cognitive impairment

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-210531

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 82, no. 4, pp. 1797-1808, 2021

Authors: Baena, Ana | Bocanegra, Yamile | Torres, Valeria | Vila-Castelar, Clara | Guzmán-Vélez, Edmarie | Fox-Fuller, Joshua T. | Gatchel, Jennifer R. | Sánchez, Justin | Pluim, Celina F. | Ramirez-Gómez, Liliana | Martínez, Jairo | Pineda, David | Lopera, Francisco | Quiroz, Yakeel T.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Greater neuroticism has been associated with higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia. However, the directionality of this association is unclear. We examined whether personality traits differ between cognitively-unimpaired carriers of autosomal-dominant AD (ADAD) and non-carriers, and are associated with in vivo AD pathology. Objective: To determine whether personality traits differ between cognitively unimpaired ADAD mutation carriers and non-carriers, and whether the traits are related to age and AD biomarkers. Methods: A total of 33 cognitively-unimpaired Presenilin-1 E280A mutation carriers and 41 non-carriers (ages 27–46) completed neuropsychological testing and the NEO Five-Factor Personality …Inventory. A subsample (n  = 46; 20 carriers) also underwent tau and amyloid PET imaging. Results: Carriers reported higher neuroticism relative to non-carriers, although this difference was not significant after controlling for sex. Neuroticism was positively correlated with entorhinal tau levels only in carriers, but not with amyloid levels. Conclusion: The finding of higher neuroticism in carriers and the association of this trait with tau pathology in preclinical stages of AD highlights the importance of including personality measures in the evaluation of individuals at increased risk for cognitive impairment and dementia. Further research is needed to characterize the mechanisms of these relationships. Show more

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, biomarkers, neuroticism, personality, preclinical, presenilin-1

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-210185

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 82, no. 4, pp. 1809-1822, 2021

Authors: Li, Fangyu | Qin, Wei | Zhu, Min | Jia, Jianping

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Current and future incidence and prevalence estimates of dementia are essential for public health planning. Objective: The objective was to establish prediction model of incidence and estimate the prevalence of dementia in the Chinese and worldwide population from 2020 to 2050. Methods: A model-based method was used to project the dementia prevalence from 2020 to 2050 in China, which required incidence, the mortality rate for individual without dementia, and the relative risk of death. Furthermore, we detected the impact of intervention on the prevalence projection for dementia using a simulation method. We applied the same …method to other projections worldwide. Results: In 2020, the model predicted 16.25 million (95%confidence interval 11.55–21.18) persons with dementia in China. By 2050, this number would increase by approximately three-fold to 48.98 million (38.02–61.73). Through data simulation, if the incidence of dementia decreased by 10%every 10 years from 2020 after intervention and prevention, the number of dementia cases by 2050 was reduced by 11.96 million. This would reduce the economic burden by US $639.04 billion. In addition, using this model, dementia cases grew relatively slowly over the next few decades in the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and Japan, with percentage changes of 100.88%, 65.93%, and 16.20%, respectively. Conclusion: The number of people with dementia in China is large and will continue to increase rapidly. Effective interventions could reduce the number of patients drastically. Therefore, prevention and control strategies must be formulated urgently to reduce the occurrence of dementia. Show more

Keywords: China, dementia, model-based, prevalence, projection

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-210493

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 82, no. 4, pp. 1823-1831, 2021

Authors: Lamar, Melissa | Drabick, Deborah | Boots, Elizabeth A. | Agarwal, Puja | Emrani, Sheina | Delano-Wood, Lisa | Bondi, Mark W. | Barnes, Lisa L. | Libon, David J.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Cognitively-defined subgroups are well-documented within neurodegeneration. Objective: We examined such profiles in diverse non-demented older adults and considered how resulting subgroups relate to modifiable factors associated with neurodegeneration. Methods: 121 non-demented (MMSE = 28.62) diverse (46%non-Latino Black, 40%non-Latino White, 15%Latino) community-dwelling adults (age = 67.7 years) completed cognitive, cardiovascular, physical activity, and diet evaluations. Latent profile analyses (LPA) employed six cognitive scores (letter fluency, letter-number sequencing, confrontational naming, ‘animal’ fluency, list-learning delayed recall, and recognition discriminability) to characterize cognitively-defined subgroups. Differences between resulting subgroups on cardiovascular (composite scores of overall health; specific health components including fasting blood levels) and …lifestyle (sedentary behavior; moderate-to-vigorous physical activity; Mediterranean diet consumption) factors were examined using ANCOVAs adjusting for relevant confounders. Results: Based on sample means across cognitive scores, LPA resulted in the following cognitive subgroups: 1) high-average cognition, 55%non-Latino White and 64%female participants; 2) average cognition, 58%non-Latino Black and 68%male participants; 3) lower memory, 58%non-Latino Black participants; and 4) lower executive functioning, 70%Latinos. The high-average subgroup reported significantly higher Mediterranean diet consumption than the average subgroup (p  = 0.001). The lower executive functioning group had higher fasting glucose and hemoglobin A1c than all other subgroups (p -values<0.001). Conclusion: LPA revealed two average subgroups reflecting level differences in cognition previously reported between non-Latino White and Black adults, and two lower cognition subgroups in domains similar to those documented in neurodegeneration. These subgroups, and their differences, suggest the importance of considering social determinants of health in cognitive aging and modifiable risk. Show more

Keywords: Aging, cognition, diversity, latent profile analysis, lifestyle, Mediterranean diet

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-210110

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 82, no. 4, pp. 1833-1846, 2021

Authors: Park, Juyoung | Galvin, James E.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Pre-loss grief increases as dementia advances. Caregivers who experience pre-loss grief face risks to their own physical and psychological health. Objective: The study examined factors associated with pre-loss grief in caregivers of older adults with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) to determine whether overall caregiver experiences differ based on the stages of DLB in care recipients. The study also compared pre-loss grief in caregivers of DLB patients with that in caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other dementias. Method: Using a cross-sectional design, 714 caregivers of older adults with dementia (488 DLB, 81 …AD, 145 other dementias) completed an online survey on pre-loss grief. Multivariate linear regression identified risk factors associated with pre-loss grief and analysis of variance examined whether pre-loss grief in caregivers differed significantly based on type of dementia or stage of DLB. Results: Being the caregiver of a spouse, lower level of caregiver well-being, lower psychological well-being of the caregiver, and higher level of burden were associated (p  < 0.005) with increased pre-loss grief in caregivers of older adults with DLB. There was no significant difference in caregiver burden, well-being, or depression according to the various stages of DLB (mild, moderate, severe, deceased) in the care recipients. There was no significant difference in pre-loss grief in caregivers of DLB care recipients compared to caregivers of patients with other dementias. Conclusion: Assessment of DLB caregivers and appropriate interventions should be conducted to reduce their burden and emotional distress to decrease the incidence of pre-loss grief. Show more

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, burden, caregiver, dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, pre-loss grief, prolonged grief, well-being

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-210616

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 82, no. 4, pp. 1847-1859, 2021

Authors: Poptsi, Eleni | Tsolaki, Magda | Bergh, Sverre | Cesana, Bruno Mario | Ciceone, Alfonso | Fabbo, Andrea | Frisoni, Giovanni B. | Frölich, Lutz | Guazzarini, Anna Giulia | Hugon, Jacques | Fascendini, Sara | Lavolpe, Sara | Mecocci, Patrizia | Peters, Oliver | Defanti, Carlo Alberto

Article Type: Correction

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-219008

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 82, no. 4, pp. 1861-1862, 2021