scholarly journals Worries about memory loss and knowledge on Alzheimer's disease in community-dwelling elderly from Brazil

2011 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Niures P.S. Matioli ◽  
Arnaldo Etzel ◽  
João A.G.G. Prats ◽  
Wares F. de O. Medeiros ◽  
Taiguara R. Monteiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Normal Aging ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Memory Screening

Abstract Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. Efforts to determine risk factors for the development of AD are important for risk stratification and early diagnosis. Furthermore, there are no standardized practices for memory screening. Lack of knowledge on AD, perception of memory loss as part of normal aging, and poor socioeconomic conditions may also be implicated in the current situation of dementia. Objective: To evaluate knowledge of AD in a literate population of elders and correlate these findings with sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: A descriptive survey design study enrolled 994 volunteers from September 2007 to May 2008 in the city of Santos, São Paulo, Brazil, to answer a brief questionnaire consisting of 8 simple questions about knowledge of AD and worries about memory loss. Results: Greater knowledge about AD was associated with eight or more years of education, female gender and age between 60 and 70 years. Also, 52.8% of responders (95% CI - 49.5-56.0%) answered that memory loss is part of normal aging and 77.5% (95% CI - 74.7-80.1%) had never sought a doctor to evaluate their memories. Conclusion: Our study results reinforced that the first line of preventing late diagnosis of dementia is to act in health promotion, especially by targeting subjects older than 70 years of male gender and with lower educational level. It also provided evidence that strategies to promote physician initiative in treating memory problems are also paramount.

scholarly journals Isovitexin modulates autophagy in Alzheimer’s disease via miR-107 signalling

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 391-401
Author(s):  
Jiang Cheng ◽  
Guowei Wang ◽  
Na Zhang ◽  
Fang Li ◽  
Lina Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Autophagic Process ◽  
Molecular Signals ◽  
Ad Mouse Model ◽  
Mtor Signalling

AbstractBackground:Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an ultimately fatal, degenerative brain disease in the elderly people. In the current work, we assessed the defensive capability of isovitexin (IVX) through an intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced AD mouse model.Methods:Mice were separated into four cohorts: sham-operated control mice; STZ-intoxicated Alzheimer’s mice; IVX cohort, IVX + STZ; and Ant-107 cohort, antagomiR-107 + IVX/STZ as in the IVX cohort.Results:The outcomes indicated that IVX administration ameliorated spatial memory loss and blunted a cascade of neuro-noxious episodes – including increased amyloid-beta (Aβ) and degraded myelin basic protein burden, neuroinflammation (represented by elevated caspase-1, TNF-α and IL-6 levels) and autophagic dysfunction (represented by altered LC3-II, Atg7 and beclin-1 expressions) – via the inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling axis. We considered the question of whether the epigenetic role of microRNA-107 (miR-107) has any impact on these events, by using antagomiR-107.Conclusion:This probing underscored that miR-107 could be a pivotal regulatory button in the activation of molecular signals linked with the beneficial autophagic process and anti-inflammatory activities in relation to IVX treatment. Hence, this report exemplifies that IVX could guard against Aβ toxicity and serve as an effectual treatment for patients afflicted with AD.

Fear of Alzheimer's disease in the French population: impact of age and proximity to the disease

2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 108-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inge Cantegreil-Kallen ◽  
Stéphanie Pin
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
French Population ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Negative Image

ABSTRACTBackground: The negative image of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in our society has a substantial impact on treating, caring for and integrating those suffering from the disease and their relatives. Little research has been conducted on social perception of AD in the community.Methods: The aim of this study was to investigate the perception, knowledge, opinions and beliefs about AD in the French population. A cross-sectional telephone survey of 2013 randomly selected community-dwelling people aged 18 years and over was conducted. Multivariate logistic regressions were used for identifying predictors of the personal fear of developing AD, both for the global sample and for different age groups.Results: Sixty percent of the sample reported personal fear of developing AD. This attitude was strongly related to age, becoming predominant among the elderly. In the middle-aged group, personal fear of developing AD was highest in women with poor self-perceived health and, in particular, those who cared for someone with AD. Being a caregiver or knowing someone with the disease was also strongly associated with fear among younger adults aged 18–34.Conclusions: These results serve as an incentive for developing special education and prevention programs focused on different age groups and caregivers of AD.

Differences in EEG Harmonic Driving Responses to Photic Stimulation between Normal Aging and Alzheimer's Disease

2002 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitsuru Kikuchi ◽  
Yuji Wada ◽  
Yoshifumi Koshino
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Functional Organization ◽  
Brain Activation ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Normal Aging ◽  
Photic Stimulation ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Absolute Power ◽  
The Brain

In order to investigate whether Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the end result of aging of the brain or the result of some other mechanism, we analyzed EEGs showing the absolute power of harmonic responses to photic stimulation (PS) in younger subjects, non-demented elderly subjects and AD patients. At rest, the AD patients generally showed less absolute power than the younger and elderly subjects, with significant differences found at 10Hz and 20Hz. Analysis of EEGs recorded during PS indicated that the elderly subjects generally demonstrated more absolute power than the younger subjects and AD patients. These findings suggest a failure of stimulation-related brain activation in AD patients, and provide further evidence that normal aging and AD employ different mechanisms for functional organization during PS.

scholarly journals Association Between Frailty and Development of Alzheimer's Disease–Related Dementias

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 42-42
Author(s):  
Chih-Ying Cynthia Li ◽  
Brian Downer ◽  
Lin-Na Chou ◽  
Kenneth Ottenbacher ◽  
Kyriakos S Markides ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Mexican Americans ◽  
Free Probability ◽  
Interval Data ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Frailty Status ◽  
Mini Mental Status Exam ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Frailty is associated with an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). However, this association has not been investigated in older Mexican Americans; a population that is high-risk for frailty and ADRD. This study investigated the association between frailty and the development of ADRD over 9-year period. We analyzed 860 Mexican Americans ≥76 years old of the Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiological Study of the Elderly (Hispanic-EPESE) who have been linked with Medicare claims data. Survey data from Wave 6 (2007/08) was used to categorize participants as frail (either pre-frail or frail) or non-frail according to the Fried phenotype. The main outcome was ADRD diagnosis after Wave 6 interview. ADRD status was determined using the Chronic Conditions Segment of the Master Beneficiary Summary File. We estimated ADRD disease-free probability during 2007-2016 using midpoint of interval data method stratified by frailty status. Mean age of the study sample was 83.2 years (SD=4.4) and 59.3% were female. We found individuals who were frail had less ADRD-free months (46.5; SD= 36.5-52) compared to those who were non-frail (66.0; SD= 47.5-120). Individuals with a score of less than 21 points on the Mini Mental Status Exam had greater risks of ADRD development (Odds Ratio=1.35, 95% CI= 1.05-1.74) compared to their counterpart, after controlling mortality as a competing risk. Our results suggest being pre-frail, frail or cognitively impaired are risk factors for ADRD in community-dwelling older Mexican Americans.

scholarly journals Community Memory Screening as a Strategy for Recruiting Older Adults into Alzheimer’s Disease Research

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guerry M. Peavy ◽  
Cecily W. Jenkins ◽  
Emily A. Little ◽  
Christina Gigliotti ◽  
Amanda Calcetas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Positive Family History ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
Recruitment Strategy ◽  
Cognitive Screening ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Brief Assessment ◽  
Memory Screening ◽  
Memory Concerns

Abstract Background Growing awareness of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has prompted a demand for quick and effective ways to screen for memory loss and cognitive decline in large numbers of individuals in the community. Periodic Memory Screening Day events provide free, brief cognitive screening aimed at those 65 years and older, and can serve as an opportunity to gauge participants’ attitudes towards AD research and recruit them into ongoing research projects. Methods Over 6 single-day events in 2 years, more than 574 individuals were individually screened using the MoCA and a story recall task (immediate and delayed), given feedback about their performance, and introduced to AD research and opportunities to participate. Results Screening classified 297 individuals (52.0%) as having “ No Decline ”, 192 (33.6%) as “ Possible decline ” and 82 (14.4%) as “ Likely decline ”. Those with “ Likely decline ” were older and less educated, had more memory concerns, were more likely to be men, and were less likely to have a positive family history of dementia than those with “ No Decline ”. Subsequent validation of screening procedures against a full clinical evaluation showed 72% classification accuracy with a skew towards over-calling Possible and Likely decline and thereby guiding questionable individuals to a more thorough evaluation. Of those screened, 378 (66%) agreed to additional research and consented to being listed in a research registry; and a majority (70-85%) of those consenting reported they were amenable to various AD research procedures including lumbar puncture, MRI and autopsy. Overall, 19.1% of those screened met inclusion criteria for ongoing studies and were successfully recruited into AD research. Conclusions Conducting a few concentrated community memory screening events each year may help meet the public’s demand for brief assessment of memory concerns and can be a relatively effective and efficient recruitment strategy for AD research.

scholarly journals Protective Effects of Colivelin Against Alzheimer's Disease in a PDAPP Mouse Model

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 1138-1146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rong Yin ◽  
Kai Yin ◽  
ZhiQiang Guo ◽  
ZhiQiang Zhang ◽  
LiPin Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Memory Impairment ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Morris Water Maze Test ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
Western Blot Assay ◽  
P38 Inhibitor

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized with progressive memory loss and severe cognitive impairments, which affect everyday life and human health in the elderly. It is required that an effective and safe protective reagent against AD should be developed. It has been reported that humanin (HN) exerts neuroprotective effects against AD. In this study, we investigated the effect of a novel and more effective HN derivative, Colivelin (CLN) on AD. Methods: PDAPPV717I transgenic AD model mice (derived from parental C57/BL6 mice) were used in our study as AD model. Morris water maze test was used to test the memory impairment of AD mice and the levels of Aβ40 and Aβ42 were determined by an Elisa assay. We used an Immunohistochemistry and Immunofluorescence staining method to check the GFAP and MAP2 positive cells, and TUNEL to assess the apoptotic cells. Western blot assay was used to check the expression and phosphorylation level of p38. Results: We found that CLN improved the memory impairment induced by AD and reduced the deposit of Aβ40 and Aβ42. CLN also inhibited cell apoptosis and activation of caspase 3 in brain tissues of AD mice. Inflammation in AD mice was alleviated by CLN treatment, including the accumulation of GFAP positive cells and the inflammatory cytokines. With both structure of AGA-HNG and ANDF, CLN exhibited significantly stronger effects than synchronously administration of AGA-HNG and ADNF, suggesting CLN as a novel potential effective therapeutic reagent for AD patients. Finally, we found that CLN inhibited phosphorylation of p38 in AD mice and p38 inhibitor, SB203580 weakened the therapeutic effect of CLN. Conclusion: CLN effectively improved the memory dysfunction in PDAPP mice, and our data suggests CLN as a novel and effective reagent which may have great potentials in AD therapy.

Alzheimer's Disease Effects on Semantic Memory: Loss of Structure or Impaired Processing?

1991 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 166-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn A. Bayles ◽  
Cheryl K. Tomoeda ◽  
Alfred W. Kaszniak ◽  
Michael W. Trosset
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Semantic Memory ◽  
Oral Reading ◽  
Conceptual Knowledge ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
Individual Subject ◽  
Specific Loss ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Choice Tasks

Results of several prior studies, in which Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients missed the same concepts on multiple tasks, have been used to substantiate the theory that AD causes concept-specific loss of information from semantic memory However, sample sizes in these studies are modest, test-retest intervals small, and typically only a few tasks were used. In the present study 69 An subjects were annually administered 11 tasks, each using the same 13 concepts. Only a few instances were observed in which a concept was missed across all 11 tasks. When performances on the Oral Reading and Dictation tasks were removed from analysis, because of their questionable reliance on semantic memory, the number of missed concepts rose only modestly. A substantial rise in the number of missed concepts occurred, however, when performances on the four multiple- choice tasks were removed. Interpreting the larger number of missed concepts on the five remaining generative semantic tasks as evidence of item-specific loss is problematic, nonetheless, because the generative semantic tasks were among the hardest in the battery and the frequency with which an individual subject missed a concept across all tasks accorded with the subject's dementia severity level. Results also indicate that task difficulty, more than concept specificity, determine whether a concept is missed. Overall, results suggest that a concept will “disappear” when all of the tasks in which it is a stimulus become too difficult for the patient to perform. Study results call into question the appropriateness of using batteries of effortful, attention demanding tasks for ascertaining whether AD causes item-specific loss of conceptual knowledge.

Alzheimer’s Disease: Causes, Mechanisms, and Steps Toward Prevention

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Se Hoon Choi ◽  
Rudolph E. Tanzi
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
The United States ◽  
Fatal Disease ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Total Incidence ◽  
Symptomatic Diagnosis

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in the elderly; it is clinically characterized by progressive memory loss and catastrophic cognitive dysfunction. Neuropathologically, the brains of AD patients are characterized by abundant beta-amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and neuroinflammation. To date, this fatal disease ranks as the sixth leading cause of death; 5.8 million people in the United States are estimated to have the disease, and the total incidence of AD-related dementia is projected to grow to 16 million by 2050. Currently, there is no cure or any reliable means for pre-symptomatic diagnosis of AD. AD is a genetically heterogenous and multifactorial disease, and a variety of molecular mechanisms have been suggested to underlie its etiology and pathogenesis. A better understanding of pathogenic mechanisms underlying the development of AD pathology and symptoms would accelerate the development of effective therapeutic strategies for preventing and treating AD. Here, we present a comprehensive overview of the pathogenetic and molecular mechanisms underlying AD along with current therapeutic and lifestyles interventions being investigated for the prevention and treatment of this devastating neurological disorder.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document