Can the CAMCOG be a good cognitive test for patients with Alzheimer's disease with low levels of education?

2010 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Aprahamian ◽  
José Eduardo Martinelli ◽  
Juliana Cecato ◽  
Rafael Izbicki ◽  
Mônica Sanches Yassuda

ABSTRACTBackground: The Cambridge Cognitive Examination (CAMCOG) is a useful test in screening for Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the interpretation of CAMCOG cut-off scores is problematic and reference values are needed for different educational strata. Given the importance of earlier diagnoses of mild dementia, new cut-off values are required which take into account patients with low levels of education. This study aims to evaluate whether the CAMCOG can be used as an accurate screening test among AD patients and normal controls with different educational levels.Methods: Cross-sectional assessment was undertaken of 113 AD and 208 elderly controls with heterogeneous educational levels (group 1: 1–4 years; group 2: 5–8 years; and group 3: ≥ 9 years) from a geriatric clinic. submitted to a thorough diagnostic evaluation for AD including the Cambridge Examination for Mental Disorders of the Elderly (CAMDEX). Controls had no cognitive or mood complaints. Sensitivity (SE) and specificity (SP) for the CAMCOG in each educational group was assessed with receiver-operator-characteristic (ROC) curves.Results: CAMCOG mean values were lower when education was reduced in both diagnostic groups (controls – group 1: 87; group 2: 91; group 3: 96; AD – group 1: 63; group 2: 62; group 3: 77). Cut-off scores for the three education groups were 79, 80 and 90, respectively. SE and SP varied among the groups (group 1: 88.1% and 83.5%; group 2: 84.6% and 96%; group 3: 70.8% and 90%).Conclusion: The CAMCOG can be used as a cognitive test for patients with low educational level with good accuracy. Patients with higher education showed lower scores than previously reported.

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seong-Ho Koh ◽  
Hyuk Sung Kwon ◽  
Seong Hye Choi ◽  
Jee Hyang Jeong ◽  
Hae Ri Na ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Our previous studies showed that GV1001 has various protective effects against β-amyloid and other stressors. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that GV1001 might have beneficial effects in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods A phase 2, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, 6-month randomized clinical trial was performed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of subcutaneously administered GV1001. Between September 2017 and September 2019, 13 centers in South Korea recruited participants. A total of 106 patients were screened, and 96 patients with moderate-to-severe AD were randomized 1:1:1 to the placebo (group 1, n = 31), GV1001 0.56 mg (group 2, n = 33), and 1.12 mg (group 3, n = 32) groups. GV1001 was administered every week for 4 weeks (4 times), followed by every 2 weeks until week 24 (10 times). The primary endpoint was the change in the Severe Impairment Battery (SIB) score from baseline to week 24. The key secondary efficacy endpoints were the change in the Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Box (CDR-SOB), Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study-Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL), Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), Mini-Mental State Examination, and Global Deterioration Scale scores. The safety endpoints were also assessed based on adverse events, laboratory test results, vital signs, and other observations related to safety. Results Group 3 showed less decrease in the SIB score at 12 and 24 weeks compared with group 1 (P < 0.05). These were not significantly observed in group 2. Among the secondary endpoints, only the NPI score showed significantly better improvement in group 2 than in group 3 at week 12; however, there were no other significant differences between the groups. Although the ADCS-ADL and CDR-SOB scores showed a pattern similar to SIB scores, a statistically significant result was not found. Adverse events were similar across all three groups. Conclusions The results indicate that GV1001 1.12 mg met the primary endpoint of a statistically significant difference. GV1001 was well tolerated without safety concerns. This study warrants a larger clinical trial. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03184467. Registered on June 12, 2017.


Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 417
Author(s):  
Lidia Arce-Sánchez ◽  
Salvatore Giovanni Vitale ◽  
Claudia Montserrat Flores-Robles ◽  
Myrna Souraye Godines-Enriquez ◽  
Marco Noventa ◽  
...  

The primary aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) using two different cut-off levels for TSH values (≥2.5 mIU/L versus ≥4.1 mIU/L). The secondary objective was to analyze the clinical-biochemical characteristics in women with and without SCH. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. In total, 1496 Mexican women with infertility were included: Group 1, women with TSH levels ranging between 0.3 and 2.49 mIU/L, n = 886; Group 2, women with TSH between 2.5 and 4.09 mIU/L, n = 390; and Group 3, women with TSH ≥4.1 mIU/L n = 220. SCH prevalence was 40.7% (CI 95%: 38.3–43.3%) with TSH cut-off ≥ 2.5 mIU/L, and 14.7% (CI 95%: 12.7–16.5%) with TSH cut-off ≥ 4.1 mIU/L, (p = 0.0001). The prevalence of overweight was higher in Group 2 than in Groups 1 and 3. Thyroid autoimmunity, obesity and insulin resistance were higher in Group 3 than in Group 1 (p < 0.05). No other differences were observed between groups. Conclusions: The prevalence of SCH in our selected patients increased almost three times using a TSH cut-off ≥ 2.5 mIU/L compared with a TSH cut-off ≥ 4.1 mIU/L. Women with TSH ≥4.1 mIU/L compared with TSH cut-off ≤ 2.5 mIU/L more often presented with obesity, thyroid autoimmunity and insulin resistance.


2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (02) ◽  
pp. 220-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emre Bayram ◽  
Huda Melike Bayram

ABSTRACT Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate fracture resistance of teeth with immature apices treated with coronal placement of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), bioaggregate (BA), and Biodentine. Materials and Methods: Forty-one freshly extracted, single-rooted human premolar teeth were used for the study. At first, the root length was standardized to 9 mm. The crown-down technique was used for the preparation of the root canals using the rotary ProTaper system (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) of F3 (30). Peeso reamer no. 6 was stepped out from the apex to simulate an incompletely formed root. The prepared roots were randomly assigned to one control (n = 5) and three experimental (n = 12) groups, as described below. Group 1: White MTA (Angelus, Londrina, Brazil) was prepared as per the manufacturer's instructions and compacted into the root canal using MAP system (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) and condensed by pluggers (Angelus, Londrina, Brazil). Group 2: The canals were filled with DiaRoot-BA (DiaDent Group International, Canada). Group 3: Biodentine (Septodont, Saint Maur des Fosses, France) solution was mixed with the capsule powder and condensed using pluggers. Instron was used to determine the maximum horizontal load to fracture the tooth, placing the tip 3 mm incisal to the cementoenamel junction. Mean values of the fracture strength were compared by ANOVA followed by a post hoc test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: No significant difference was observed among the MTA, BA, and biodentine experimental groups. Conclusion: All the three materials tested, may be used as effective strengthening agents for immature teeth.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sikandar Hayat Khan ◽  
Najmusaqib Khan Niazi ◽  
Farah Sobia ◽  
Nadeem Fazal ◽  
Syed Mohsin Manzoor ◽  
...  

Objectives: To measure correlation and concordance between measured LDL cholesterol (mLDLc) and Friedewald’s calculated LDL cholesterol (cLDLc). To compare the mLDLc and cLDLc values for various anthropometric measures and biochemical indices including insulin resistance, nephropathy, glycated hemoglobin and triglycerides. Methods: Two hundred thirty two subjects were included in this cross-sectional analysis from Jan-2016 to July-2017 from a target population visiting PNS HAFEEZ hospital. Mean age of the subjects was 46.56(±11.95) years (n=232). These subjects underwent clinical evaluation including measurement of anthropometric measurements, biochemical testing for fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile, urine albumin creatinine ratio (UACR), and insulin. Correlation and concordance between mLDLc and Friedewald’s cLDLc were measured. Finally, Comparison of risk evaluation for mLDLc and cLDLc between groups formulated based upon UACR (Based upon a cut off of 2.5 mg/g) and fasting triglycerides (Group-1 :< 1.0 mmol/L, Group-2: 1.0-1.99 mmol/L and Group-3 :> 1.99 mmol/) was carried out. Results: There was significant positive linear correlation between mLDLc and cLDLc [r=0.468, <0.001]. Kendall’s Coefficient of concordance between mLDLc and cLDLc was 0.055 (p<0.001). Differences evaluated by one way ANOVA analysis for mLDLc between various triglycerides groups were only significant between group-1 and group-2 [{Group-1:Mean=2.40, (2.19-2.61), n=43}, {Group-2:Mean=2.81, (2.69-2.92),n=136}, [{Group-3:Mean=2.59,(2.37-2.81), n=53}],(p=0.004) in comparison to cLDLc [{Group-1:Mean=2.63, (2.43-2.84), n=43}, {Group-2:Mean=2.85, (2.76-2.93), n=136}, [{Group-3:Mean=2.75, (2.60-2.90),n=53}]. Calculated method for LDLc showed higher UACR than mLDLc. (p=0.021) Conclusion: cLDLc over estimates LDL-cholesterol in comparison to mLDLc. The correlation between cLDLc and mLDLc was only moderate. However, cLDLc provided better degree of risk prediction for nephropathy and glycated hemoglobin than mLDLc. How to cite this:Khan SH, Niazi NK, Sobia F, Fazal N, Manzoor SM, Nadeem A. Friedewald’s equation for calculating LDL-cholesterol: Is it the time to say “Goodbye” and adopt direct LDL cholesterol methods? Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(2):---------.   doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.2.679 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.


ABOUTOPEN ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-30
Author(s):  
Marcello Maria Turconi ◽  
Filomena Vella ◽  
Francesco Mosetti

Background and aims: Nonpathological, age-related cognitive decline is among the most feared consequences of aging. Evidence suggests that the continued use of mental abilities can slow down cognitive decline. We developed two tablet-based applications for the mental training (ElasticaMente) and social interaction/entertainment (iNonni) of older adults. The aim of this study was to evaluate their effect on cognitive performance.Materials and methods: This was an exploratory study of 8 months duration. Sixty healthy residents of a senior community center aged ≥60 years were recruited and divided into three groups: participants in Groups 1 and 2 received a tablet with ElasticaMente and iNonni (Group 1, n = 20) or with iNonni only (Group 2, n = 20); participants in Group 3 (n = 20) did not receive any tablet. Participants in Groups 1 and 2 were instructed to use the applications three times a week (each session ~45 minutes). Cognitive performance was assessed at baseline (T0) and after 8 months (T1) using a battery of six validated tests.Results: In Group 1, cognitive test scores remained consistently stable from T0 to T1, suggesting maintenance of cognitive abilities. In contrast, in Groups 2 and 3, scores worsened from T0 to T1 across all tests. Comparison of the changes from T0 to T1 revealed statistical significance for Group 1 versus Group 3, but not for Group 1 versus Group 2 and Group 2 versus Group 3.Conclusion: The 8 months use of the applications ElasticaMente and iNonni was associated with a significant benefit in terms of preserved cognitive performance compared with no tablet-based activity. The potential contribution of ElasticaMente to the attenuation of cognitive decline should be further investigated.


Author(s):  
Hyunsoo Kim ◽  
Kijeong Kim ◽  
Sohee Shin

The aim of this study was to investigate the cardiometabolic risk factors (CRFs) in community dwelling men based on a combination of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). This cross-sectional study was based on 867 males between the ages of 20 and 71 years. Subjects were categorized into 4 groups by BMI and WC (Group 1, BMI < 25 kg/m2 and WC < 90 cm; Group 2, BMI < 25 kg/m2 and WC > 90 cm; Group 3, BMI > 25 kg/m2 and WC < 90 cm; and Group 4 BMI > 25 kg/m2 and WC > 90 cm). The proportion of subjects with a normal weight with high WC was 3.2%. Among normal weight men with the high range of WC, significantly high Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CI were found for hypertriglyceridemia (3.8, 1.8–8.2) and high blood glucose (3.2, 1.5–6.9). The probability that the general obesity group (Group 3) had one CRF was around twice that of the reference group (Group 1) (1.9 to 2.1 times), but Group 2 had probability more than 4 times higher (4.3 to 4.6 times). In community dwelling adult men, normal weight with high waist circumference was associated with the highest cardiometabolic risk. In conclusion, follow-up screening of those with high WC may be necessary to detect and prevent cardiometabolic diseases, particularly for men with a normal weight.


Author(s):  
Hiralal Konar ◽  
Madhutandra Sarkar ◽  
Sisir Kumar Chowdhury

Introduction: The Robson ten-group classification identifies the women’s groups that make the greatest contribution to the overall rate of Caesarean Section (CS), and thereby helps to optimise CS rates. It also helps to ensure optimum maternal and perinatal outcomes. Aim: This study was undertaken to examine the rates of CS using the Robson ten-group classification, and also to identify the women’s groups that contribute most to CS rates in a tertiary care teaching and referral hospital in Kolkata, India. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted over a period of one year from May 2012 to April 2013. All pregnant women admitted under the supervision of a particular unit of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and delivered in that hospital during the study period were included. Necessary data collection was done on the following parameters, i.e., previous obstetric history, category of pregnancy, course of labour and delivery, and gestational age. The women were categorised into the ten Robson groups. For each group, the CS rate, relative size of the group, and the percentage contribution made by the group to the overall CS rate were calculated and expressed in percentages. Chi-square test, Z-test and the trial version of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 were used to analyse the data. Results: The CS rate in the present study was 43.13% (735 out of 1704 deliveries). Not only the largest group in terms of relative size 649 (38.08%), the Robson group 1 had a CS rate of 41.75% (271/649), as well as the largest absolute number of caesarean deliveries. The group 1 made the largest contribution (271) to the overall CS rate (15.9%). The group 5 was the second largest contributing group 155 (9.09%), followed by group 3 96 (5.63%) and group 2 69 (4.04%). In the present study group 5 showed the CS rate of 95.67%, group 3 with CS rate of 24.48% and group 2 with CS rate of 60.52%. Conclusion: The Robson groups 1, 2, 3 and 5 were found to be the major contributors to the overall CS rate. These groups may be targeted for effective interventions to reduce the CS rate. Active management of labour in a primigravida with spontaneous onset, reduction of primary caesarean delivery, promoting vaginal birth after CS, and careful assessment of cases before induction of labour in nulliparous women, are likely to be few effective strategies.


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 145
Author(s):  
Maja Račić ◽  
Bojan N. Joksimović ◽  
Smiljka Cicmil ◽  
Srebrenka Kusmuk ◽  
Nedeljka Ivković ◽  
...  

<div class="WordSection1"><p><strong>Objectives</strong>. Interprofessional teamwork is best attained through education that promotes mutual trust and effective communication. The primary aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of interprofessional learning on knowledge about diabetes. <strong>Methods</strong>. The cross-sectional study included students of medicine, dentistry and nursing at the Faculty of Medicine Foča, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The students were randomly allocated into one of two groups. Group 1 attended an interprofessional course on diabetes while group 2 was divided into three subgroups and each of the subgroups attended an uniprofessional diabetes course. The measuring instrument used in the course in order to assess the participants’ knowledge about diabetic care was a test containing multiple-choice questions about diabetes. The Interprofessional Questionnaire was used to explore the attitudes, views, values and beliefs of students regarding interprofessional education (IPE). <strong>Results</strong>. No statistically significant difference in total score on the test was found between the groups at baseline, but at follow-up the difference was highly statistically significant (F=10.87; p=0.002). The students from Group 1 had better results (21.82 points), compared to Group 2 (18.77 points). The statistically significant difference was observed in mean values (t=-3.997; p=0.001), between Groups 1 and 2; the students from Group 1 obtained 20.42 points, which is considered to indicate a respectively positive self-assessment of communication and teamwork skills. However, Group 2 indicated a negative self-assessment of communication and teamwork skills. <strong>Conclusion</strong>. The findings suggest that IPE activities may provide health profession students with valuable collaborative learning opportunities.</p></div>


Author(s):  
Mehmet Öztürk ◽  
Emine Uysal ◽  
Halil İbrahim Duran ◽  
Zuhal İnce Bayramoğlu ◽  
Abidin Kılınçer

Objective: To perform morphometric analysis of corpus callosum (CC) by using callosal area (CA), supratentorial-supracallosal area (SSA) and CA/SSA parameters in a healthy pediatric population and to investigate changes according to age and gender. Method: Method: This retrospective study included a total of 313 children (154 boys, 159 girls) aged between 3-17 years. The cases were divided into three groups according to age: 3-6 years (Group 1) (pre-school), 7-12 years (Group 2) (preadolescent) and 13-17 years (Group 3) (adolescent). CA and SSA were measured on the mid-sagittal plane on T1-weighted images. CA/ SSA index was calculated. Differences in age, CA, SSA, and ratio parameters among the gender groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney U or the t-test. Results: Median values of CA (p= 0.002), mean values of SSA (p=0.001) and CA/SSA ratios (p= 0.04) were significantly higher in boys compared to girls. The median CA and mean CA/SSA ratios in Group 3 were significantly higher than Groups 1 and 2 (p= 0.001). Mean CA/SSA ratio values of boys and girls in Age Group 3 were significantly higher than Group 1 (p= 0.001) and significantly higher than Age Group 2 in girls. There were highly significant positive correlations of age with CA (p=0.001, r=0.47), SSA (p=0.028, r=0.12) and CA/SSA ratio (p=0.001, r=042). There was a highly significant and positive correlation between CA and SSA (p=0.001, r=0.25) and CA/SSA ratio (p=0.001, r=0.87). Conclusion: CA, SSA, and CA/ SSA ratio values in children are affected by age and gender. These parameters can be used as reference values for the diagnosis of congenital and acquired pathologies affecting the corpus callosum.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 5863-5873
Author(s):  
Kaicheng Li ◽  
Shuyue Wang ◽  
Xiao Luo ◽  
Qingze Zeng ◽  
Yerfan Jiaerken ◽  
...  

Abstract During the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), neuropathology may propagate transneuronally, cause disruption in memory circuit, and lead to memory impairment. However, there is a lack of in vivo evidence regarding this process. Thus, we aim to simulate and observe the progression of neuropathology in AD continuum. We included cognitively normal (CN), mild cognitive impairments (MCI), and AD subjects, and further classified them using the A/T/N scheme (Group 0: CN, A − T−; Group 1: CN, A + T−; Group 2: CN, A + T+; Group 3: MCI, A + T+; Group 4: AD, A + T+). We investigated alterations of three core memory circuit structures: hippocampus (HP) subfields volume, cingulum-angular bundles (CAB) fiber integrity, and precuneus cortex volume. HP subfields volume showed the trend of initially increased and then decreased (starting from Group 2), while precuneus volume decreased in Groups 3 and 4. The CAB integrity degenerated in Groups 3 and 4 and aggravated with higher disease stages. Further, memory circuit impairments were correlated with neuropathology biomarkers and memory performance. Conclusively, our results demonstrated a pattern of memory circuit impairments along with AD progression: starting from the HP, then propagating to the downstream projection fiber tract and cortex. These findings support the tau propagation theory to some extent.


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