scholarly journals Assessment of balance in mild and moderate stages of Alzheimer's disease: implications on falls and functional capacity

2011 ◽  
Vol 69 (2a) ◽  
pp. 202-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eliane Mayumi Kato-Narita ◽  
Ricardo Nitrini ◽  
Marcia Radanovic
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Berg Balance Scale ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Disability Assessment ◽  
Balance Impairment ◽  
Balance Scale

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the correlation between balance, falls and loss of functional capacity in mild and moderate Alzheimer's disease(AD). METHOD: 40 subjects without cognitive impairment (control group) and 48 AD patients (25 mild, 23 moderate) were evaluated with the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD). Subjects answered a questionnaire about falls occurrence in the last twelve months. RESULTS: Moderate AD patients showed poorer balance (p=0.001) and functional capacity (p <0.0001) and it was observed a correlation between falls and balance (r= -0.613; p=0.045). CONCLUSION: There is a decline of balance related to AD which is a factor associated to the occurrence of falls, albeit not the most relevant one. The loss of functional capacity is associated with the disease's progress but not to a higher occurrence of falls. The balance impairment did not correlate with functional decline in AD patients.

scholarly journals Balance impairment does not necessarily coexist with gait apraxia in mild and moderate Alzheimer’s disease

2016 ◽  
Vol 74 (6) ◽  
pp. 450-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Vieira Pereira ◽  
Fabricio Ferreira de Oliveira ◽  
Rodrigo Rizek Schultz ◽  
Paulo Henrique Ferreira Bertolucci
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Mini Mental State Examination ◽  
Berg Balance Scale ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Clinical Dementia Rating ◽  
Balance Impairment ◽  
Balance Scale ◽  
State Examination

ABSTRACT Currently, there are no studies reporting how much balance impairment coexists with gait apraxia in mild and moderate Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Objectives To assess correlations among gait apraxia, balance impairment and cognitive performance in mild (AD1, n = 30) and moderate (AD2, n = 30) AD. Method The following evaluations were undertaken: gait apraxia (Assessment Walking Skills); balance performance (Berg Balance Scale); Clinical Dementia Rating and Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE). Results While disregarding AD subgroups, Berg Balance Scale and the MMSE correlated significantly with Assessment Walking Skills and 23% of all subjects scored below its cut-off. After stratification, Berg Balance Scale correlated significantly with Assessment Walking Skills in both AD subgroups, and with the MMSE only in AD1. Conclusions Balance impairment does not necessarily coexist with gait apraxia. Gait apraxia is more prevalent in moderate AD when compared with mild AD.

Alzheimer’s Disease: Erythrocyte 2,3-diphosphoglycerate Content and Circulating Erythropoietin

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. 834-835
Author(s):  
Petter Järemo ◽  
Alenka Jejcic ◽  
Vesna Jelic ◽  
Tasmin Shahnaz ◽  
Homira Behbahani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cell Damage ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Red Cell ◽  
Oxygen Release ◽  
Regulatory Pathways ◽  
Β Amyloid ◽  
2,3 Dpg

Background: Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) features the accumulation of β-amyloid in erythrocytes. The subsequent red cell damage may well affect their oxygen-carrying capabilities. 2,3- diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) binds to the hemoglobin thereby promoting oxygen release. It is theorized that 2,3-DPG is reduced in AD and that the resulting hypoxia triggers erythropoietin (EPO) release. Methods & Objective: To explore this theory, we analyzed red cell 2,3-DPG content and EPO in AD, mild cognitive impairment, and the control group, subjective cognitive impairment. Results: We studied (i) 2,3-DPG in red cells, and (ii) circulating EPO in AD, and both markers were unaffected by dementia. Disturbances of these oxygen-regulatory pathways do not appear to participate in brain hypoxia in AD.

Comparative Performance of Mildly Impaired Patients With Alzheimer's Disease and Multiple Cerebral Infarctions on Tests of Memory and Functional Capacity

1994 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy A. Zimmer ◽  
Sherri Hayden ◽  
Cecilia Deidan ◽  
David A. Loewenstein
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Semantic Memory ◽  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Cognitive Disorder ◽  
Functional Domains ◽  
Comparative Performance ◽  
Broad Array ◽  
Patient Groups

There is increasing evidence that mildly impaired patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) may be distinguished from mildly impaired patients with multi-infarct cognitive disorder (MICD) by their degree of semantic memory impairment. However, despite these observed group differences, it is unknown whether AD and MICD patients differ in their ability to perform a broad array of functional activities required for daily living and the degree to which severity of cognitive impairment is associated with functional deficits. Using a measure assessing numerous functional domains within the clinical setting, we were able to directly compare the functional capacity of mildly impaired AD and MICD patients, as well as a more cognitively impaired AD group.Although mildly impaired AD patients scored significantly lower on tests of semantic memory relative to their mildly impaired MICD counterparts, deficits in functional capacity were relatively equivalent. The AD group with more severe cognitive impairment scored lower on both memory and functional measures. A relatively high proportion of mildly impaired AD and MICD subjects evidenced impairment across a number of functional domains, suggesting that functional impairment may occur with relatively high frequency in these patient groups.

scholarly journals Cognitive Skills Questionnaire: Comparative Results in Elderly Population without Cognitive Deficit, Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Edith Labos ◽  
Edith Labos ◽  
Sofia Trojanowski ◽  
Karina Zabala ◽  
Miriam Del Rio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Cognitive Disorders ◽  
Cognitive Disorder ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cognitive Complaint

The increase in consultations for changes and/or cognitive complaints in the elderly, together with the current interest in epidemiological research in this context creates the need for screening tools for cognitive assessment to enable the detection of early deficits. Evidence shows its predictive value in the development of dementia disease. This study aims at displaying the results of a Cognitive Skills Questionnaire (CSQ) in a patient population with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), both compared with a control group (CG) with no cognitive disorder and verifying its sensitivity and specificity in order to identify risk patients with cognitive disorder. Participants and Methods: A total of 208 participants were evaluated, out of which 60 had MCI, 46 had AD and a remaining group of 102 subjects who had no cognitive disorder. All participants were administrated the CSQ and a battery of neuropsychological proofs. We analysed the statistical data using ANOVA, Student’s t-test, Tuckey test, ROC curve and principal components analysis. A multiple regression analysis was carried out so as to single out those questions which better differentiated the studied groups. Results: The CSQ showed significant differences between the CG and both groups of patients (AD p> 0.01 and MCI p> 0.05). It was established a cut-off point of 17.5 in the CSQ total score with a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 91.3%. Conclusion: The CSQ could eventually allow us to identify patients with cognitive disorders and those others with a cognitive complaint greater than expected. Thus, this questionnaire could be a useful testing and counselling tool in health primary attention.

scholarly journals Neuropsychological Test Performance and Cognitive Reserve in Healthy Aging and the Alzheimer's Disease Spectrum: A Theoretically Driven Factor Analysis

2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 1071-1080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan B. Mitchell ◽  
Lynn W. Shaughnessy ◽  
Steven D. Shirk ◽  
Frances M. Yang ◽  
Alireza Atri
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Cognitive Reserve ◽  
Cognitive Change ◽  
Control Group

AbstractAccurate measurement of cognitive function is critical for understanding the disease course of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Detecting cognitive change over time can be confounded by level of premorbid intellectual function or cognitive reserve and lead to under- or over-diagnosis of cognitive impairment and AD. Statistical models of cognitive performance that include cognitive reserve can improve sensitivity to change and clinical efficacy. We used confirmatory factor analysis to test a four-factor model composed of memory/language, processing speed/executive function, attention, and cognitive reserve factors in a group of cognitively healthy older adults and a group of participants along the spectrum of amnestic mild cognitive impairment to AD (aMCI-AD). The model showed excellent fit for the control group (χ2 = 100; df = 78; CFI = .962; RMSEA = .049) and adequate fit for the aMCI-AD group (χ2 = 1750; df = 78; CFI = .932; RMSEA = .085). Although strict invariance criteria were not met, invariance testing to determine if factor structures are similar across groups yielded acceptable absolute model fits and provide evidence in support of configural, metric, and scalar invariance. These results provide further support for the construct validity of cognitive reserve in healthy and memory impaired older adults. (JINS, 2012, 18, 1–10)

scholarly journals Electroacupuncture Improves Clearance of Amyloid-β through the Glymphatic System in the SAMP8 Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Pei-zhe Liang ◽  
Li Li ◽  
Ya-nan Zhang ◽  
Yan Shen ◽  
Li-li Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Nissl Staining ◽  
Glymphatic System ◽  
Model Of Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
The Brain

Background. Memory loss and cognitive impairment characterize the neurodegenerative disorder, Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Amyloid-β (Aβ) is the key factor that triggers the course of AD, and reducing the deposition of Aβ in the brain has been considered as a potential target for the treatment of AD. In clinical and animal studies, electroacupuncture (EA) has been shown to be an effective treatment for AD. In recent years, substantial evidence has accumulated suggesting the important role of the glymphatic system in Aβ clearance. Objective. The purpose of this study was to explore whether EA modifies the accumulation of Aβ through the glymphatic system and may thus be applied to alleviate cognitive impairments. Methods. Seven-month-old SAMP8 mice were randomized into a control group (Pc) and an electroacupuncture group (Pe). Age-matched SAMR1 mice were used as normal controls (Rc). Mice in the Pe group were stimulated on Baihui (GV20) and Yintang (GV29) for 10 min and then pricked at Shuigou (GV26) for ten times. EA treatment lasted for 8 weeks. In each week, EA would be applied once a day for the first five consecutive days and ceased at the remaining two days. After EA treatment, Morris water maze (MWM) test was used to evaluate the cognitive function; HE and Nissl staining was performed to observe the brain histomorphology; ELISA, contrast-enhanced MRI, and immunofluorescence were applied to explore the mechanisms underlying EA effects from Aβ accumulation, glymphatic system function, reactivity of astrocytes, and AQP4 polarization, respectively. Results. This EA regime could improve cognition and alleviate neuropathological damage to brain tissue. And EA treatment might reduce Aβ accumulation, enhance paravascular influx in the glymphatic system, inhibit the reactivity of astrocytes, and improve AQP4 polarity. Conclusion. EA treatment might reduce Aβ accumulation from the brain via improving clearance performance of the glymphatic system and thereby alleviating cognitive impairment.

scholarly journals Subjective Cognitive Complaints Contribute to Misdiagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 836-847 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily C. Edmonds ◽  
Lisa Delano-Wood ◽  
Douglas R. Galasko ◽  
David P. Salmon ◽  
Mark W. Bondi
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cognitive Complaints ◽  
Informant Report ◽  
Cognitive Problems ◽  
Subjective Cognitive Complaints

AbstractSubjective cognitive complaints are a criterion for the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), despite their uncertain relationship to objective memory performance in MCI. We aimed to examine self-reported cognitive complaints in subgroups of the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) MCI cohort to determine whether they are a valuable inclusion in the diagnosis of MCI or, alternatively, if they contribute to misdiagnosis. Subgroups of MCI were derived using cluster analysis of baseline neuropsychological test data from 448 ADNI MCI participants. Cognitive complaints were assessed via the Everyday Cognition (ECog) questionnaire, and discrepancy scores were calculated between self- and informant-report. Cluster analysis revealed Amnestic and Mixed cognitive phenotypes as well as a third Cluster-Derived Normal subgroup (41.3%), whose neuropsychological and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarker profiles did not differ from a “robust” normal control group. This cognitively intact phenotype of MCI participants overestimated their cognitive problems relative to their informant, whereas Amnestic MCI participants with objective memory impairment underestimated their cognitive problems. Underestimation of cognitive problems was associated with positive CSF AD biomarkers and progression to dementia. Overall, there was no relationship between self-reported cognitive complaints and objective cognitive functioning, but significant correlations were observed with depressive symptoms. The inclusion of self-reported complaints in MCI diagnostic criteria may cloud rather than clarify diagnosis and result in high rates of misclassification of MCI. Discrepancies between self- and informant-report demonstrate that overestimation of cognitive problems is characteristic of normal aging while underestimation may reflect greater risk for cognitive decline. (JINS, 2014, 20, 1–12)

scholarly journals Exercise Intervention Associated with Cognitive Improvement in Alzheimer’s Disease

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng Ying Cui ◽  
Yang Lin ◽  
Ji Yao Sheng ◽  
Xuewen Zhang ◽  
Ran Ji Cui
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Exercise Intervention ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Cognitive Improvement

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with the syndrome of cognitive and functional decline. Pharmacotherapy has always been in a dominant position for the treatment of AD. However, in most cases, drug therapy is accompanied with clinical delays when older adults have suffered from cognitive decline in episodic memory, working memory, and executive function. On the other hand, accumulating evidence suggests that exercise intervention may ameliorate the progression of cognitive impairment in aging ones while the standard strategy is lacking based on different levels of cognitive decline especially in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD. MCI is the preclinical stage of AD in which neurodegeneration may be reversed via neuroplasticity. Therefore, taking exercise intervention in the early stage of MCI and healthy aging at the risk of AD could slow down the process of cognitive impairment and provide a promising cost-effective nonpharmacological therapy to dementia.

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