scholarly journals Environmental Substances Associated with Alzheimer’s Disease—A Scoping Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (22) ◽  
pp. 11839
Author(s):  
Hanna Maria Elonheimo ◽  
Helle Raun Andersen ◽  
Andromachi Katsonouri ◽  
Hanna Tolonen
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Human Biomonitoring ◽  
Chemical Exposure ◽  
Priority Substances ◽  
Environmental Chemical ◽  
Other Substances ◽  
Neurological Effects

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, prevalent in approximately 50–70% of the dementia cases. AD affects memory, and it is a progressive disease interfering with cognitive abilities, behaviour and functioning of the person affected. In 2015, there were 47 million people affected by dementia worldwide, and the figure was estimated to increase to 75 million in 2030 and to 132 million by 2050. In the framework of European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU), 18 substances or substance groups were prioritized for investigation. For each of the priority substances, a scoping document was prepared. Based on these scoping documents and complementary review of the recent literature, a scoping review of HBM4EU-priority substances which might be associated with AD was conducted. A possible association between risk of AD and pesticides was detected. For mercury (Hg), association is possible but inconsistent. Regarding cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As), the results are inconsistent but inclined towards possible associations between the substances and the risk of disease. The evidence regarding lead (Pb) was weaker than for the other substances; however, possible associations exist. Although there is evidence of adverse neurological effects of environmental substances, more research is needed. Environmental chemical exposure and the related hazards are essential concerns for public health, and they could be preventable.

The Impact of Decline on Everyday Life in Alzheimer's Disease

2015 ◽  
pp. 327-338
Author(s):  
Lovingly Quitania Park ◽  
Britt Busson
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Everyday Life ◽  
Clinical Diagnosis ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Affected Individual ◽  
Psychosocial Impacts ◽  
Emotional Changes ◽  
The Impact

The loss of independence is a quintessential feature of dementia and important to the clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, changes in memory and other cognitive abilities can significantly influence the rate and the trajectory of decline in everyday life. The goal of this chapter is to provide the reader with a picture of how the cognitive and emotional changes associated with AD can alter daily living in the early-to-moderate stages and the subsequent psychosocial impacts. Practical suggestions with regard to management of AD by the affected individual and supporters are offered, as are some suggestions for addressing completion of daily tasks, such as finances, medications, appointments, and transportation.

Empathy and Theory of Mind in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 963-977
Author(s):  
Olivia P. Demichelis ◽  
Sarah P. Coundouris ◽  
Sarah A. Grainger ◽  
Julie D. Henry
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cognitive Empathy ◽  
Analytic Review ◽  
Social Cognitive Processing

AbstractObjective:A large literature now shows that Alzheimer’s disease (AD) disrupts a number of social cognitive abilities, including social perceptual function and theory of mind (ToM). However, less well understood is how the specific subcomponents of ToM as well as both the broader and specific subcomponents of empathic processing are affected.Method:The current study provides the first meta-analytic review of AD that focuses on both empathy and ToM as broad constructs, as well as their overlapping (cognitive empathy and affective ToM) and distinct (affective empathy and cognitive ToM) subcomponents.Results:Aggregated across 31 studies, the results revealed that, relative to controls, AD is associated with large-sized deficits in both cognitive ToM (g = 1.09) and affective ToM/cognitive empathy (g = 0.76). However, no statistical differences were found between the AD participants and controls on affective empathic abilities (g = 0.36).Conclusions:These data point to a potentially important disconnect between core aspects of social cognitive processing in people with AD. The practical and theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.

Transitioning into the caregiver role following a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia: A scoping review

2019 ◽  
Vol 96 ◽  
pp. 119-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyungmi Lee ◽  
Frank Puga ◽  
Carolyn E.Z. Pickering ◽  
Sara S. Masoud ◽  
Carole L. White
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Caregiver Role

Age-Associated Memory Loss: Initial Neuropsychological and Cerebral Metabolic Findings of a Longitudinal Study

1994 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary W. Small ◽  
Anna Okonek ◽  
Mark A. Mandelkern ◽  
Asenath La Rue ◽  
Linda Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Mood State ◽  
Familial Risk ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
Subjective Memory ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Positron Emission

To determine the relationships between clinical and brain function in persons with a familial risk for Alzheimer's disease, the authors assessed subjective and objective cognitive abilities, mood state, and cerebral glucose metabolism (using positron emission tomography) in 43 persons with age-associated memory impairment, with and without first-degree relatives with a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Subjective complaints of memory loss, mood state ratings, and objective memory measures were similar in persons with a family history of Alzheimer's disease (n = 29) compared to those without such a history (n = 14). Metabolic ratios in the frontal regions correlated with a decrease in a specific type of subjective memory complaint (mnemonics usage; p < .001) and some mood state ratings. These results indicate that parietal and temporal hypometabolism is not evident in persons with mild age-related memory complaints, even when such subjects have a familial risk for Alzheimer's disease. Moreover, self-reports of mnemonics usage may be sensitive indicators of decreased frontal lobe function. Longitudinal study will determine whether such clinical and metabolic measures will predict eventual disease progression.

scholarly journals Planning ability impairments in probable Alzheimer's disease patients: Evidence from the Tower of London test

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corina Satler ◽  
Luiza Guimarães ◽  
Carlos Tomaz
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Tower Of London ◽  
Inappropriate Behaviors ◽  
Inhibitory Deficits ◽  
Planning Ability ◽  
Wide Range

ABSTRACT Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with progressive impairment of higher-level cognitive abilities. Previous research suggests that early impairment of executive functions occurs during the course of the disease, but few studies have specifically investigated planning ability in an AD population. Objective: The purpose of the current study was to examine whether AD patients retain the ability to plan ahead, by analyzing specificities of their behavior in successfully achieving a pre-established goal. Methods: Twenty-one AD patients and thirty-three elderly controls underwent a problem-solving assessment using the Tower of London (TOL) test. Results: AD patients were less accurate and less efficient than controls. AD patients also committed more mistakes. This indicates a decline in working memory and inhibitory deficits, resulting in impulsive and inappropriate behaviors. Conclusion: These results are in agreement with previous studies, showing executive function problems in patients with AD. Specifically, this study demonstrates the presence of planning ability deficits in AD, considering both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The wide range of analysis presented in this study can aid clinicians in identifying the nature of the poor performance of AD patients during a planning task.

Extrapyramidal signs and cognitive abilities in Alzheimer's disease

2001 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. 907-911 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P. Caligiuri ◽  
Guerry Peavy ◽  
Douglas R. Galasko
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Extrapyramidal Signs

scholarly journals Evolution of Konglish Based on the Current Prevalence and South Korean Public Attitude Towards Konglish

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Tse
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Olive Oil ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Brain Disorder ◽  
Preventative Measures ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Mediterranean

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that negatively affects memory and other cognitive abilities, including language and maintaining one’s orientation. Eventually, one’s ability to function cognitively or physically ceases altogether. The Mediterranean diet is characterized by large amounts of fruits, vegetables, olive oil, and a lack of red meat. Such a diet is most often consumed near areas surrounding the Mediterranean Sea and has been linked to a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease. This correlation is crucial to study as there is no current effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Understanding what can prevent this disease is important for public health, as well as helping us identify the causes of the disease, which aid in creating effective treatments in the future. In this paper, research on the link between the Mediterranean diet and the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease as one ages will be examined. Evidence shows that people who follow the Mediterranean diet have a lower risk of Alzheimer’s as they grow older. Research indicates that this is due to the polyphenols in olive oil—a staple in the Mediterranean diet—and the general heart and body health that the diet promotes. This healthy diet also reduces obesity, which is linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. In the future, more effort should be put into impeding the development of Alzheimer’s disease, which could potentially be done using knowledge of which populations are at risk, critical biomarkers of the disease, and preventative measures like the Mediterranean diet.

scholarly journals The Effect of Baseline Performance and Age on Cognitive Training Improvements in Older Adults: A Qualitative Review

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
J.S. Shaw ◽  
S.M.H. Hosseini
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Baseline Performance

Findings that the brain is capable of plasticity up until old age have led to interest in the use of cognitive training as a potential intervention to delay the onset of dementia. However, individuals participating in training regimens differ greatly with respect to their outcomes, demonstrating the importance of considering individual differences, in particular age and baseline performance in a cognitive domain, when evaluating the effectiveness of cognitive training. In this review, we summarize existing literature on cognitive training in adults across the domains of episodic memory, working memory and the task-switching component of executive functioning to clarify the picture on the impact of age and baseline performance on cognitive training-related improvements. Studies targeting episodic memory induced greater improvements in younger adults with more intact cognitive abilities, explained in part by factors specific to episodic memory training. By contrast, older, lower baseline performance adults improved most in several studies targeting working memory in older individuals as well as in the majority of studies targeting executive functioning, suggesting the preservation of neural plasticity in these domains until very old age. Our findings can have important implications for informing the design of future interventions for enhancing cognitive functions in individuals at the prodromal stage of Alzheimer’s Disease and potentially delaying the clinical onset of Alzheimer’s Disease. Future research should more clearly stratify individuals according to their baseline cognitive abilities and assign specialized, skill-specific cognitive training regimens in order to directly answer the question of how individual differences impact training effectiveness.

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