scholarly journals Lessons Learned From Nonsignificant Findings in Exercise With Individuals With Dementia

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 850-850
Author(s):  
Nicole Dawson ◽  
Heather Menne

Abstract The National Institute on Aging recognizes the importance of identifying promising non-pharmacological interventions (NPI) to promote health in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Several systematic reviews have been completed investigating exercise in this population resulting in mixed evidence regarding efficacy across functional domains. It is critical to investigate the methodological factors from the original interventions for a true understanding of these findings as to not outright dismiss exercise as beneficial. One example is Ohio’s replication of Reducing Disability in Alzheimer’s Disease (n=508), which resulted in no significant improvements in physical performance for individuals with dementia ((gait speed (p=.81), balance (p=.82), functional reach (p=.58)). In this investigation, along with many others, researchers were not guided by key principles of exercise science leading to critical intervention design and methodological flaws. Thus, exercise interventions for individuals with dementia need to include interpretations of non-findings and report key factors affecting the outcomes.

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 354-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Dawson ◽  
Heather Menne

Reducing Disability in Alzheimer’s Disease (RDAD) is an evidenced-based intervention for individuals with dementia and their caregivers aimed at reducing the psychosocial strain of the caregiver and improving functional ability of the individual with dementia. Overall efficacy, acceptability, and feasibility outcomes have been published regarding RDAD; however, no specific outcome information has been published on the objective physical performance measures (PPM) of gait speed, functional reach, and balance. Data from the Replication of RDAD (n = 508) was utilized to test the hypothesis that each PPM would show change for participants who completed the program. No significant changes were identified in 3 PPM: gait speed (t = .24, P =.81), balance (t = .23, P = .82), and functional reach (t = −.55, P = .58). To strengthen the research about exercise interventions for individuals with dementia, discussion and interpretation of nonfindings is important for improving intervention designs and methodologies. In the case of RDAD, the intervention protocol may require a sufficient dosage of exercise with respect to fundamental exercise science principles, or there may be misalignment between the intervention and outcome measures.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reem Habib Mohamad Ali Ahmad ◽  
Marc Fakhoury ◽  
Nada Lawand

: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of neurons leading to cognitive and memory decay. The main signs of AD include the irregular extracellular accumulation of amyloidbeta (Aβ) protein in the brain and the hyper-phosphorylation of tau protein inside neurons. Changes in Aβ expression or aggregation are considered key factors in the pathophysiology of sporadic and early-onset AD and correlate with the cognitive decline seen in patients with AD. Despite decades of research, current approaches in the treatment of AD are only symptomatic in nature and are not effective in slowing or reversing the course of the disease. Encouragingly, recent evidence revealed that exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) can delay the development of AD and improve memory. This review paper discusses findings from in vitro and in vivo studies that investigate the link between EMF and AD at the cellular and behavioural level, and highlights the potential benefits of EMF as an innovative approach for the treatment of AD.


Neurology ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. M. Mathews ◽  
R. A. Nixon

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Lidia Lopez-Gutierrez ◽  
José María García-Alberca ◽  
Silvia Mendoza ◽  
Esther Gris ◽  
María Paz De la Guía ◽  
...  

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia worldwide, and longitudinal studies are crucial to find the factors affecting disease development. Here, we describe a novel initiative from southern Spain designed to contribute in the identification of the genetic component of the cognitive decline of Alzheimer’s disease patients. The germline variant rs9320913 is a C>A substitution mapping within a gene desert. Although it has been previously associated to a higher educational achievement and increased fluid intelligence, its role on Alzheimer’s disease risk and progression remains elusive. A total of 407 subjects were included in the study, comprising 153 Alzheimer disease patients and 254 healthy controls. We have explored the rs9320913 contribution to both Alzheimer disease risk and progression according to the Mini-Mental State Exams. We found that rs9320913 maps within a central nervous system lincRNA AL589740.1. eQTL results show that rs9320913 correlated with the brain-frontal cortex ( beta = − 0.15 , p value = 0.057) and brain-spinal cord (beta of -0.23, p value = 0.037). We did not find rs9320913 to be associated to AD risk, although AA patients seemed to exhibit a less pronounced Mini-Mental State Exam score decline.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong Wang ◽  
Fanglian Chen ◽  
Zhaoli Han ◽  
Zhenyu Yin ◽  
Xintong Ge ◽  
...  

Amyloid-β (Aβ) is the predominant pathologic protein in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The production and deposition of Aβ are important factors affecting AD progression and prognosis. The deposition of neurotoxic Aβ contributes to damage of the blood–brain barrier. However, the BBB is also crucial in maintaining the normal metabolism of Aβ, and dysfunction of the BBB aggravates Aβ deposition. This review characterizes Aβ deposition and BBB damage in AD, summarizes their interactions, and details their respective mechanisms.


Author(s):  
Ashok K. Datusalia ◽  
Gurpreet Singh ◽  
Nikita Yadav ◽  
Sachin Gaun ◽  
Moumita Manik ◽  
...  

: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disease, which affect millions of people worldwide. Accumulation of amyloid-β plaques and hyperphosphorylated neurofibrillary tangles are the key mechanisms involved in the etiopathogenesis of AD, characterized by memory loss and behavioural changes. Effective therapies targeting AD pathogenesis are limited, making it the largest unmet clinical need. Unfortunately, the available drugs provide symptomatic relief and primary care, with no substantial impact on the disease pathology. However, in recent years researchers are working hard on several potential therapeutic targets to combat disease pathogenesis and few drugs have also reached clinical trials. In addition, drugs are being repurposed both in the preclinical and clinical studies for the treatment of AD. For instance, montelukast is most commonly used leukotriene receptor antagonist, for treating asthma and seasonal allergy. Its leukotriene antagonistic action can also be beneficial for the reduction of detrimental effects of leukotriene against neuro-inflammation, an hallmark feature of AD. The available marketed formulations of montelukast present challenges such as poor bioavailability and reduced uptake, reflecting the lack of effectiveness of its desired action in the CNS. While on the other side targeted drug delivery is a satisfactory approach to surpass the challenges associated with the therapeutic agents. This review will discuss the enhancement of montelukast treatment efficacy and its access to CNS, by using new approaches like nano-formulation, nasal gel, solid lipid formulation, nano-structure lipid carrier (NSLC), highlighting lessons learned to target AD pathologies and hurdles that persist.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (16) ◽  
pp. e443101622316
Author(s):  
Murilo Bastos ◽  
Kelby Cavalheiro de Mendonça ◽  
Valquiria Camargo Lins ◽  
Eduardo Muzzolon ◽  
Deise Mara Soares ◽  
...  

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by cognitive impairment and progressive memory loss and drug treatments have limited efficacy. Thus, non-pharmacological interventions, such as music therapy, have shown to be promising as supporting pharmacological treatment and, therefore, may arouse commercial interest regarding the development of this type of product. Thus, this study aims to carry out a patentometric survey on patent registrations with music therapy in the treatment of AD. A systematic search was carried out from 2000 to 2020 on the Orbti-Questel website, searching for documents referring to music therapies in AD. The terms “Alzheimer music methodology active therapy” and “Alzheimer music methodology passive therapy” were used. After searching, reading, and excluding duplicate results, we found four patent families referring to music therapy in AD and all were selected as a result, which was considered little compared to the number of studies published on the subject.


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