scholarly journals A social dancing pilot intervention for older adults at high risk for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 183-194
Author(s):  
Helena M Blumen ◽  
Emmeline Ayers ◽  
Cuiling Wang ◽  
Anne F Ambrose ◽  
Joe Verghese
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Digit Symbol ◽  
Digit Symbol Substitution ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Symbol Substitution ◽  
Flanker Interference

Close to 6 million older US adults have Alzheimer's disease or related dementias, yet there is currently no cure or effective treatment. This single-blind randomized controlled trial (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03475316) aims to establish feasibility, and explore the relative efficacy, of a 6-month social ballroom dancing intervention versus a 6-month active control intervention (treadmill walking) for improving executive function in 32 older adults at increased risk for Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. Dementia-at-risk status is determined with cut-scores on the memory impairment screen (≥3 to ≤6) and/or the AD8 Dementia Screening Interview (≥1). The primary outcome is a composite executive function score from digit-symbol substitution, flanker interference and walking-while-talking tasks. The secondary outcome is functional neuroplasticity during fMRI-adapted versions of digit-symbol substitution, flanker interference and walking-while-talking.

scholarly journals Discriminant Validity of the WAIS-R Digit Symbol Substitution Test in Subjective Cognitive Decline, Mild Cognitive Impairment (Amnestic Subtype) and Alzheimer’s Disease Dementia (ADD) in Greece

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 881
Author(s):  
Marianna Tsatali ◽  
Eleni Poptsi ◽  
Despina Moraitou ◽  
Christina Agogiatou ◽  
Evaggelia Bakoglidou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Subjective Cognitive Decline ◽  
Digit Symbol Substitution Test ◽  
Digit Symbol ◽  
Digit Symbol Substitution ◽  
Symbol Substitution ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease Dementia

Objective: The aim of the current study was to estimate the discriminant potential and validity of the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) of the WAIS-R in the Greek elderly population meeting criteria for subjective cognitive decline (SCD), mild cognitive impairment (aMCI; amnestic subtype), or Alzheimer’s disease dementia (ADD). Method: Four hundred eighty-eight community-dwelling older adults, visitors of the Day Center of Alzheimer Hellas, participated in the study. Two hundred forty-three of them met the criteria for ADD, one hundred eighty-two for aMCI and sixty-three for SCD. Results: Path analysis indicated that the DSST score is affected by age group, educational level, and diagnostic category, but is not affected by gender. The ROC curve analysis showed that the DSST sum score could perfectly differentiate SCD from ADD patients, whereas test’s discriminant potential between aMCI and dementia ADD’s subtype was satisfactory. However, DSST was unable to separate the SCD from the aMCI group. Conclusion: It appears that the DSST is unable to separate the SCD from aMCI population. Therefore, the test in question may be insensitive to incipient cognitive decline. On the contrary, the discriminant potential of the DSST as regards SCD and ADD is excellent, while discrimination between aMCI and ADD is good.

REPORT FROM THE FIRST CLINICAL TRIALS ON ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE (CTAD) ASIA-CHINA 2018 : BRINGING TOGETHER GLOBAL LEADERS

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
J.K. Chhetri ◽  
P. Chan ◽  
B. Vellas ◽  
J. Touchon ◽  
S. Gauthier
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Chinese Population ◽  
The West ◽  
Disease Modifying Therapies ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Disease Modifying ◽  
Past Experiences

Population of older adults in Asia, and particularly in China is increasing rapidly. Older population are at increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other dementias. Soon, the Chinese population with AD will represent almost half of the world’s AD population. There is a desperate need of disease modifying therapies to delay or slow the progression of AD, to tackle this emerging healthcare emergency. In this context, the first CTAD Asia-China conference was held in China to bring together Western and Asian leaders in AD. This meeting focused largely on how to develop successful trials in China, utilizing past experiences from the West.

scholarly journals Peripheral Insulin Resistance in Cognitively Normal Older Adults Relates to Poorer Performance on a Test for Speed of Processing

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 76-76
Author(s):  
Aaron Smith ◽  
Matthew Taylor ◽  
Jim Backes ◽  
Juleah Littrell ◽  
Caitlin Boeckman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Digit Symbol Substitution Test ◽  
Digit Symbol ◽  
Speed Of Processing ◽  
Cognitively Normal ◽  
Peripheral Insulin Resistance ◽  
Digit Symbol Substitution ◽  
Symbol Substitution ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Objectives Peripheral insulin resistance (IR) and impaired glucose metabolism increases the risk for cognitive decline. However, data looking at peripheral IR's relationship with cognition in cognitively normal adults is limited. This study aimed to assess the relationship between peripheral IR and tests of speed of processing (SOP) in cognitively normal older adults using a novel IR measure. Methods Baseline data from 56 cognitively normal older adults participating in a nutrition intervention study (Nutrition Interventions for Cognitive Enhancement study; NICE study) were analyzed. Fasting blood draws were attained, and peripheral IR was measured using Quest Diagnostics’ Cardio IQ Insulin Resistance Panel (Test Code: 36,509). A cognitive battery was conducted by a trained psychometrician. Z-Scores of the Digit Symbol Substitution Test, Stroop Color, Stroop Word, Stroop Interference, and Stroop Letter Number Sequencing and Crossing-Off tests were combined to give a global SOP score. We constructed ordinary least squares regression models to assess IR's relationships with individual SOP tests and global SOP, including age and education as covariates. Statistical analyses were performed using R (v. 3.6.2; R Foundation, Vienna, Austria). Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results Participants were 77% female and had a mean age of 72.1 ± 4.9 years. Higher IR scores were related to poorer performance on the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (β = −0.26, P = 0.04). IR scores were not related to other individual cognitive tests: Stroop Color (β = −0.17, P = 0.20), Stroop Word (β = −0.19, P = 0.11), Stroop Interference (β = −0.14, P = 0.28), Stroop Letter Number Sequencing (β = 0.03, P = 0.83), Crossing-Off (β = −0.18, P = 0.15), or Global SOP (β = −0.20, P = 0.11). Conclusions There was a relationship between higher IR scores and poorer performance on the Digit Symbol Substitution Test. Although other SOP tests were not significantly correlated with IR scores, directionality of the relationships indicated trend for higher IR being related to lower SOP. Consequently, maintaining insulin sensitivity with healthy lifestyle choices may be important for healthy aging. Future analyses with a larger sample size will be more informative for understanding the relationship between IR and SOP. Funding Sources National Institute on Aging.

scholarly journals Autobiographical Memory Fluency Reductions in Cognitively Unimpaired Middle-Aged and Older Adults at Increased Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease Dementia

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Matthew D. Grilli ◽  
Aubrey A. Wank ◽  
Matthew J. Huentelman ◽  
Lee Ryan
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Autobiographical Memory ◽  
Neuropsychological Tests ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Rapid Generation ◽  
Episodic Memories ◽  
Cognitive Alterations

Abstract Objective: Recent research has revealed that cognitively unimpaired older adults who are at higher risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia often exhibit subtle cognitive alterations in their neuropsychological profiles. Emerging evidence suggests that autobiographical memory, which is memory for personal events and knowledge, may be sensitive to early AD-related cognitive alterations. In the present study, we investigated whether the rapid generation of autobiographical memory category exemplars, a retrieval process that taxes the neural network that is vulnerable to early AD, is compromised in cognitively unimpaired middle-aged and older carriers of the e4 allele of the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE4), which increases risk for AD dementia. Methods: In addition to standard neuropsychological tests, we administered a fluency task that requires generating exemplars for two types of autobiographical memory, namely episodic memories and personal semantics, to a group of cognitively unimpaired middle-aged and older adults (n = 45) enriched with APOE4 carriers (n = 20). Results: While no APOE4 deficits were found on standard neuropsychological tests, episodic and personal semantic exemplar generation was reduced in the APOE4 group. Discussion: Autobiographical memory aberrations associated with a higher risk for AD are evident in fluency and affect both episodic memory and personal semantics.

Cognitive reserve predicts future executive function decline in older adults with Alzheimer's disease pathology but not age-associated pathology

2020 ◽  
Vol 88 ◽  
pp. 119-127
Author(s):  
Cathryn McKenzie ◽  
Romola S. Bucks ◽  
Michael Weinborn ◽  
Pierrick Bourgeat ◽  
Olivier Salvado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Cognitive Reserve

scholarly journals Digit symbol substitution test score and hyperhomocysteinemia in older adults

Medicine ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 95 (35) ◽  
pp. e4535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen-Chuin Hsu ◽  
Yi-Chuan Chu ◽  
Hon-Chung Fung ◽  
Yau-Yau Wai ◽  
Jiun-Jie Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Test Score ◽  
Digit Symbol Substitution Test ◽  
Digit Symbol ◽  
Digit Symbol Substitution ◽  
Symbol Substitution

scholarly journals Affective Neuropsychiatric Symptoms as Early Signs of Dementia Risk in Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 1195-1207
Author(s):  
Jung Yun Jang ◽  
Jean K. Ho ◽  
Anna E. Blanken ◽  
Shubir Dutt ◽  
Daniel A. Nation ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Dementia Risk ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Risk Of Progression

Background: Affective neuropsychiatric symptoms (aNPS: depression, anxiety, apathy, irritability) have been linked to increased dementia risk. However, less is known whether this association is independent of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathophysiology. Objective: To investigate the contribution of early aNPS to dementia risk in cognitively normal (CN) older adults and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients, with and without AD biomarker abnormality. Methods: Participants included 763 community-dwelling, stroke-free older adults identified as CN and 617 with MCI at baseline, drawn from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database. Baseline assessments included a neuropsychological battery, the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), and apolipoprotein E ɛ4 (ApoE4) genotyping. A participant subset completed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD biomarker assessment. Time to progression to dementia was measured based on months at follow-up when an individual was diagnosed with dementia, over the follow-up period of 48 months. Results: Latent class analysis identified 3 subgroups of older adults in CN and MCI, indicated by the baseline profiles of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS). Subgroups with higher aNPS were at increased risk of progression to dementia in both CN (HR = 3.65, 95% CI [1.80, 7.40]) and MCI (HR = 1.52, 95% CI [1.16, 2.00]; HR = 1.86 [1.05, 3.30]) groups, adjusting for age, sex, global cognition, and ApoE4, compared with their counterparts with minimal NPS. There was no difference between higher aNPS and minimal NPS subgroups in their CSF AD biomarker profiles. Conclusion: Findings suggest that aNPS may represent a neurobiological vulnerability that uniquely contribute to the dementia risk, independent of AD biomarker profiles.

scholarly journals Association Between Diet And Cognitive Performance In Adults Aged 60 And Over: NHANES, 2011–2014

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 710-710
Author(s):  
Md Towfiqul Alam ◽  
Elizabeth Vasquez ◽  
Sandra Echeverria
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Word List ◽  
Healthy Eating Index ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Digit Symbol Substitution Test ◽  
Digit Symbol ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
Digit Symbol Substitution ◽  
Symbol Substitution

Abstract There is limited evidence examining associations between diet and cognitive performance (CP) in older adults. We used the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to determine if meeting dietary recommendations was associated with CP in adults 60+ years of age. Diet was based on the healthy eating index (HEI) 2015 and categorized into quintiles (higher quintiles indicating healthier diet). CP was based on word list learning, animal naming, and digit symbol substitution test, with scores above 25th percentile indicating adequate performance. Multivariate logistic regression modeling was conducted and adjusted for potential cofounders. A total of 3,068 participants completed the CP tests. A slightly higher percentage of participants were female (54.0%), predominantly White (80.5%) and the largest percentage (54.7%) was 60 to 69 years of age. The mean HEI-2015 score (0-100) was 54.89 (SE = 0.56). High CP scores increased with healthier dietary quintiles. However, results were only significant (p for trend <0.05) for digit symbol substitution test when comparing those in the highest quintile (82.53%) to those in the lowest (70.23%). Compared with participants in the lowest quintile of HEI-2015, participants in the highest quintile had a two-fold increased odds of better digit symbol substitution test scores, after adjusting for confounders (Odds Ratio [OR]: 1.96, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.28-3.01). Results showed that meeting healthy diet recommendations is associated with improved digit symbol substitution test, a marker of attention, processing speed and executive function. Future research should consider the role of diet in older adults to improve cognitive performance.

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