Qualitative Analysis of Therapeutic Light Effects on Global Function in Alzheimer’s Disease

2010 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 933-952 ◽  
Author(s):  
LuAnn Nowak ◽  
Jean Davis
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Qualitative Analysis ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Red Light ◽  
Global Function ◽  
Duration Of Effect ◽  
Disturbed Sleep ◽  
Light Effects ◽  
Effect Of Light

The occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is growing, with 68% of cases occurring in women. Declines in global function exacerbated by reversal of day–night patterns, disturbed sleep–wake rhythms, and excessive daytime sleepiness make managing AD difficult. In this study, the authors examined the effect and duration of effect of therapeutic light on sleep, rest–activity, and global function in women with AD using mixed methods in a two-group experimental design with repeated measures on one factor. Twenty women with AD were randomized to experimental or control conditions. Blue-green or dim red light was delivered via cap visor in the morning. Results of the qualitative analysis of serial interviews with family and facility caregivers regarding perceived effect of light on global function are presented. Themes emerged in both groups with respect to cognition and psychosocial function. Future studies with larger samples using quantitative measures of global function are warranted to verify findings.

Pharmacological treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krishna Chinthapalli
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Pharmacological Treatment ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Disease Process ◽  
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors ◽  
Underlying Disease ◽  
Global Function ◽  
Glutamate Antagonist ◽  
The Brain

Pharmacological treatment of Alzheimer’s disease is an important part of management of the condition. There are only four drugs available for treatment of the disease and none halt the disease process, however they have a benefit on cognition, behaviour, activities of daily living, and global function. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are thought to work by enhancing cholinergic transmission in the brain and are particularly effective in mild and moderate AD, with recent evidence suggesting donepezil is also effective in severe AD. Memantine is the only glutamate antagonist that is available for AD and is limited for use in moderate or severe AD. The choice of drug depends on route of administration, adverse effects, and medical comorbidities. There is intense research on alternative treatments especially those that may stop the underlying disease process.

Donepezil provides benefits in global function in moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease

2000 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. 93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Howard Feldman ◽  
Serge Gauthier ◽  
Jane Hecker ◽  
Bruno Vellas ◽  
Ponni Subbiah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Global Function

Risperidone is Effective for Wandering and Disturbed Sleep/Wake Patterns in Alzheimer’s Disease

2004 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenichi Meguro ◽  
Mitsue Meguro ◽  
Yasuhiro Tanaka ◽  
Kyoko Akanuma ◽  
Keiichiro Yamaguchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Disturbed Sleep ◽  
Wake Patterns

Metrifonate benefits cognitive, behavioral, and global function in patients with Alzheimer's disease

Neurology ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 50 (5) ◽  
pp. 1222-1230 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Morris ◽  
P. A. Cyrus ◽  
J. Orazem ◽  
J. Mas ◽  
F. Bieber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral ◽  
Global Function

scholarly journals Aerobic Fitness and Cognition Changes After Exercise Training in Alzheimer's Disease

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 22-28
Author(s):  
Dereck L. Salisbury ◽  
Fang Yu
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Linear Regression ◽  
Exercise Training ◽  
Aerobic Fitness ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
The United States ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
The Relationship

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) currently affects 5.4 million Americans and is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. The mechanism of exercise-induced brain adaptations are not fully understood, but enhanced aerobic fitness has been postulated as an essential physiological mechanism and is beginning to be studied. The purpose of this analysis was to examine the relationship between changes in aerobic fitness and cognition following 6 months of aerobic exercise training in older adults with AD. Methods: Twenty-seven community-dwelling older adults with mild to moderate AD completed a 6-month, 3 times per week, moderate-vigorous intensity cycling exercise program in 2 identical studies using a single-group repeated-measures designs. AD symptoms were measured with the AD Assessment Scale–cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog), while aerobic fitness was assessed by the intermittent shuttle walk test (ISWT) at baseline and 6 months. Pearson's correlation coefficient tests and linear regression were used to assess the relationship between changes in aerobic fitness and cognition. Results: Adjusted for age, the 6-month change in ISWT distance had an inverse relationship with the 6-month change in ADAS-Cog (r = −0.49; P = .01), indicating that enhanced aerobic fitness was associated with improved cognitive changes. Linear regression was statistically significant when adjusted by age (F([2,14] =5.33, P =.01, R2 = .31). Conclusion: Enhanced aerobic fitness may attenuate cognitive decline in persons with mild to moderate AD.

scholarly journals Deep and Frequent Phenotyping study protocol: an observational study in prodromal Alzheimer’s disease

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. e024498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Koychev ◽  
Jennifer Lawson ◽  
Tharani Chessell ◽  
Clare Mackay ◽  
Roger Gunn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Pet Imaging ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Disease Process ◽  
Csf Biomarkers ◽  
Prodromal Phase ◽  
South Central

IntroductionRecent failures of potential novel therapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have prompted a drive towards clinical studies in prodromal or preclinical states. However, carrying out clinical trials in early disease stages is extremely challenging—a key reason being the unfeasibility of using classical outcome measures of dementia trials (eg, conversion to dementia) and the lack of validated surrogate measures so early in the disease process. The Deep and Frequent Phenotyping (DFP) study aims to resolve this issue by identifying a set of markers acting as indicators of disease progression in the prodromal phase of disease that could be used as indicative outcome measures in proof-of-concept trials.Methods and analysisThe DFP study is a repeated measures observational study where participants will be recruited through existing parent cohorts, research interested lists/databases, advertisements and memory clinics. Repeated measures of both established (cognition, positron emission tomography (PET) imaging or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers of pathology, structural MRI markers of neurodegeneration) and experimental modalities (functional MRI, magnetoencephalography and/or electroencephalography, gait measurement, ophthalmological and continuous smartphone-based cognitive and other assessments together with experimental CSF, blood, tear and saliva biomarkers) will be performed. We will be recruiting male and female participants aged >60 years with prodromal AD, defined as absence of dementia but with evidence of cognitive impairment together with AD pathology as assessed using PET imaging or CSF biomarkers. Control participants without evidence of AD pathology will be included at a 1:4 ratio.Ethics and disseminationThe study gained favourable ethical opinion from the South Central—Oxford B NHS Research Ethics Committee (REC reference 17/SC/0315; approved on 18 August 2017; amendment 13 February 2018). Data will be shared with the scientific community no more than 1 year following completion of study and data assembly.

scholarly journals An Experimental Pilot Study of Global Postural Reeducation Concerning the Cognitive Approach of Patients With Alzheimer’s Disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 153331751986782 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasemin Todri ◽  
Orges Lena ◽  
José Luis Martínez Gil
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cognitive Approach ◽  
Positive Effects

Background: Several recent studies have examined the positive effects of physical exercise and equilibrium on individuals with neurodegenerative diseases. Objectives: In this sense, this study based on an experimental design, tested whether global postural reeducation (GPR) can affect equilibrium and cognition, life quality, and psychological symptoms of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods: One hundred thirty-five participants with mild and moderate AD diagnosis were assigned to 2 groups: experimental group (EG, n = 90) and control group (CG, n = 45). The GPR therapy was implemented in the EG for 6 months, while both groups underwent neuropsychological assessments prior and after the 6-month period. Results: According to the repeated measures of analysis of variance, significant differences between groups were found at the 6-month follow-up period, in benefit of the EG such as Mini-Mental State Examination ( P = .000), Geriatric Depression Scale ( P = .000), Neuropsychiatric Inventory ( P = .000), quality of life in AD/patient ( P = .000), quality of life in AD/caregivers ( P = .000), Barthel index ( P = .000), and Tinetti Scale ( P = .000), while the CG showed a low performance in the neuropsychological tests. Conclusions: We suggest that GPR is a therapeutic option, which can improve the psychological, physical, and cognitive aspects of patients with AD.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document