Neurosciences Commons^™

Parkinson's Disease And Other Alzheimer's Disease And Related Dementia Pathologies And The Progression Of Parkinsonism In Older Adults, Aron S Buchman, Lei Yu, Shahram Oveisgharan, Andrea R Zammit, Tianhao Wang, Joshua M Shulman, Veronique Vanderhorst, Sukrit Nag, David A Bennett

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: The interrelationship of parkinsonism, Parkinson's disease (PD) and other Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) pathologies is unclear.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the progression of parkinsonian signs in adults with and without parkinsonism, and their underlying brain pathologies.

METHODS: Annual parkinsonian signs were based on a modified Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. We used linear mixed effects models to compare the progression of parkinsonian signs in 3 groups categorized based on all available clinical evaluations: Group1 (never parkinsonism or clinical PD), Group2 (ever parkinsonism, but never clinical PD), Group3 (ever clinical PD). In decedents, we examined …

Association Of Circulating Ketone Bodies With Cognitive Performance And Dementia In The Multi-Ethnic Study Of Atherosclerosis (Mesa), Parag Anilkumar Chevli, Christopher L Schaich, Alexis C Wood, Luqman A Tk, Anurag Mehta, Vardhmaan Jain, Margery Connelly, Suzanne Craft, Elad Shemesh, José A Luchsinger, Kathleen M Hayden, Bonnie Colleen Sachs, Timothy M Hughes, Michael D Shapiro

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction

Growing interest centers on the association between circulating ketone bodies (KB) and cognitive function, notably in aging and neurodegenerative diseases.

Methods

Associations of plasma KB with incident dementia and cognitive performances were examined among Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) participants. KB were measured using plasma samples collected following an overnight fasting at Exam 1 (2000–02) and detailed cognitive testing at Exam 5 (2010–2012, N = 4392), Exam 6 (2016–2018, N = 1838), and in MESA‐MIND (2019–2021, N = 2060).

Results

Over 16.7 years, a doubling of total KB was associated with a greater risk of incident dementia (hazard ratio …

Predicting Neurodegeneration From Sleep Related Biofluid Changes, Yue Yang, Woojin S. Kim, Johannes C. Michaelian, Simon J. G. Lewis, Craig L. Phillips, Angela L. D'Rozario, Pratishtha Chatterjee, Ralph N. Martins, Ron Grunstein, Glenda M. Halliday, Sharon L. Naismith

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Sleep-wake disturbances are common in neurodegenerative diseases and may occur years before the clinical diagnosis, potentially either representing an early stage of the disease itself or acting as a pathophysiological driver. Therefore, discovering biomarkers that identify individuals with sleep-wake disturbances who are at risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases will allow early diagnosis and intervention. Given the association between sleep and neurodegeneration, the most frequently analyzed fluid biomarkers in people with sleep-wake disturbances to date include those directly associated with neurodegeneration itself, such as neurofilament light chain, phosphorylated tau, amyloid-beta and alpha-synuclein. Abnormalities in these biomarkers in patients with sleep-wake disturbances …

Exploration Of Alzheimer's Disease-Related Gene Expression Following High-Intensity And Moderate-Intensity Exercise Interventions, Kieran J. Marston, Jaisalmer De Frutos-Lucas, Tenielle Porter, Lidija Milicic, Michael Vacher, Kelsey R. Sewell, Jeremiah J. Peiffer, Simon M. Laws, Belinda M. Brown

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives: There are currently 29 genome regions that demonstrate associations with Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk. Regular physical exercise can promote systemic change in gene expression and may modify the risk of cognitive decline and AD. This study is a secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial and examines the effect of a six-month exercise intervention versus control on AD-related gene expression. Design: Single-site parallel pilot randomised controlled trial. Methods: 91 cognitively unimpaired older adults were enrolled in the Intense Physical Activity and Cognition (IPAC) study. Participants were randomised into one of three groups: high-intensity exercise, moderate-intensity exercise, or inactive control …

Neuropsychiatric Symptoms Of Dementia In Those With And Without A Recorded History Of Psychological Trauma: A Comparative Study From An Australian Dementia Support Service, Monica Cations, Mustafa Atee, Thomas Morris, Daniel Whiting

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: To compare the number and severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) and associated caregiver distress between those with and without a noted history of psychological trauma among those referred to a specialised national dementia NPS support service. Methods: This was a 5-year retrospective observational study of records from the Dementia Support Australia NPS support service. NPS were reported by formal or informal caregivers at service entry using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Nursing Home version or Questionnaire version. A history of psychological trauma was recorded in the person's social or medical history and/or endorsed as a contributor to NPS by a trained …

Editorial: Neurotoxins In Alzheimer's Disease And Other Dementias, Alexandre Henriques, Philippe L. L. Poindron, Binosha Fernando, Kevin N. Hascup

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias are neurodegenerative disorders characterized by a progressive decline in cognition and independence from activities of daily living. Dementia is multifactorial with numerous risk factors including age, genes, molecules, lifestyle, and environmental contributions to disease onset and progression. In recent years, an emerging focus on neurotoxins has added a new layer of complexity to our understanding of dementia. This editorial aims to discuss recent updates regarding the role of neurotoxins in the pathogenesis of dementia.

A Systematic Review Of Dementia Research Priorities, Manonita Ghosh, Pelden Chejor, Melanie Baker, Davina Porock

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Patient involvement is a critical component of dementia research priority-setting exercises to ensure that research benefits are relevant and acceptable to those who need the most. This systematic review synthesises research priorities and preferences identified by people living with dementia and their caregivers. Methods: Guided by Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses framework, we conducted a systematic search in five electronic databases: CINAHL, Medline, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Scopus. The reference lists of the included studies were also manually searched. We combined quantitative and qualitative data for synthesis and descriptive thematic …

A Pancreatic Player In Dementia: Pathological Role For Islet Amyloid Polypeptide Accumulation In The Brain, Angelina S Bortoletto, Ronald J Parchem

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients have a markedly higher risk of developing dementia. While multiple factors contribute to this predisposition, one of these involves the increased secretion of amylin, or islet amyloid polypeptide, that accompanies the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Islet amyloid polypeptide accumulation has undoubtedly been implicated in various forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, but the exact mechanisms underlying islet amyloid polypeptide’s causative role in dementia are unclear. In this review, we have summarized the literature supporting the various mechanisms by which islet amyloid polypeptide accumulation may cause neuronal damage, ultimately leading to …

Years Of Education And Total Intracranial Volume: A Longitudinal Study, Okechukwu C. Erinne

Research Symposium

Background: Education is one of the factors that contribute to a higher brain reserve. Based on the brain reserve hypothesis, the greater the brain reserve, the less likely it is to develop a neurocognitive disorder, such as dementia.

Methods: Data for this study were obtained from the Open Access Series of Imaging Studies (OASIS) longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data in nondemented and demented adults. There was a total of 150 right-handed participants and 373 imaging sessions, with an average duration of 719 days between visits. The primary outcome was estimated total intracranial volume (eTIV). Multivariable longitudinal regression was used …

Understanding The Resources, Barriers, Facilitators And Interests About Aging And Dementia Research Of Community Members From The Rio Grande Valley, Karla Daniela Lopez Lorenzo, Rosa V. Pirela Mavarez, Gabriela Osuna, Kendra Stine, Nathalie Chacon, Noe Garza, Gladys E. Maestre

Research Symposium

Background: One of ten people aged 65 develops Alzheimer’s Disease and it is one of the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) is mostly constituted by Hispanic/Latinos (93%), a population that has a 1.5X increased risk of AD onset. Nevertheless, there are not enough resources to support people living with dementia and their care partners. This study will leverage research efforts deployed by the RGV Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center for Minority Aging Research to understand the social representations about the resources, barriers, facilitators, and interests of the RGV community about dementia and Alzheimer’s …

The Mex-Cog Cognitive Assessment Battery: Discriminant Analysis Of The Cognitive Performance Profile In Older Adults, Silvia Mejia-Arango, Sara Aguilar-Navarro, Alberto José Mimenza-Alvarado

School of Medicine Publications

Objective. To analyze the cognitive profile of a clinical sample using the Mex-Cog cognitive battery and establish which cognitive measures and domains contribute most to group separation.

Materials and methods. A group of 145 older adults previously diagnosed with dementia (n= 47), mild cognitive impairment MCI (n= 47), or as cognitively normal (n= 51) were assessed with the Mex-Cog cognitive battery. Six linear discriminant analyses (LDA) were estimated to compare dementia vs. cognitively normal, MCI vs. cognitively normal, and MCI vs. dementia, using ten individual measures and six cognitive domains. We used a leave-one-out cross-validation procedure to evaluate the predictive …

Characterizing Performance Gaps Of A Code-Based Dementia Algorithm In A Population-Based Cohort Of Cognitive Aging, Maria Vassilaki, Sunyang Fu, Luke R Christenson, Muskan Garg, Ronald C Petersen, Jennifer St Sauver, Sunghwan Sohn

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Multiple algorithms with variable performance have been developed to identify dementia using combinations of billing codes and medication data that are widely available from electronic health records (EHR). If the characteristics of misclassified patients are clearly identified, modifying existing algorithms to improve performance may be possible.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the performance of a code-based algorithm to identify dementia cases in the population-based Mayo Clinic Study of Aging (MCSA) where dementia diagnosis (i.e., reference standard) is actively assessed through routine follow-up and describe the characteristics of persons incorrectly categorized.

METHODS: There were 5,316 participants (age at baseline (mean (SD)): 73.3 …

Physical Activity And Brain Amyloid Beta: A Longitudinal Analysis Of Cognitively Unimpaired Older Adults, Michael G. Slee, Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith, Victor L. Villemagne, James D. Doecke, Hamid R. Sohrabi, Kevin Taddei, David Ames, Vincent Dore, Paul Maruff, Simon M. Laws, Colin L. Masters, Christopher C. Rowe, Ralph N. Martins, Kirk I. Erickson, Belinda M. Brown

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: The current study evaluated the relationship between habitual physical activity (PA) levels and brain amyloid beta (A ) over 15 years in a cohort of cognitively unimpaired older adults. Methods: PA and A measures were collected over multiple timepoints from 731 cognitively unimpaired older adults participating in the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) Study of Aging. Regression modeling examined cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between PA and brain A . Moderation analyses examined apolipoprotein E (APOE) 4 carriage impact on the PA-A relationship. Results: PA was not associated with brain A at baseline ( = –0.001, p = 0.72) …

Tackling Dementia Together Via The Australian Dementia Network (Adnet): A Summary Of Initiatives, Progress And Plans, Sharon L. Naismith, Johannes C. Michaelian, Cherry Santos, Inga Mehrani, Joanne Robertson, Kasey Wallis, Xiaoping Lin, Stephanie A. Ward, Ralph Martins, Colin L. Masters, Michael Breakspear, Susannah Ahern, Jurgen Fripp, Peter R. Schofield, Perminder S. Sachdev, Christopher C. Rowe

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In 2018, the Australian Dementia Network (ADNeT) was established to bring together Australia's leading dementia researchers, people with living experience and clinicians to transform research and clinical care in the field. To address dementia diagnosis, treatment, and care, ADNeT has established three core initiatives: the Clinical Quality Registry (CQR), Memory Clinics, and Screening for Trials. Collectively, the initiatives have developed an integrated clinical and research community, driving practice excellence in this field, leading to novel innovations in diagnostics, clinical care, professional development, quality and harmonization of healthcare, clinical trials, and translation of research into practice. Australia now has a national …

Sex Differences In The Disease Progression Of Ftd Vs Ad, Abigail Mitchell, Danielle Frances, Chase Metzger

Science University Research Symposium (SURS)

Abigail Mitchell, Danielle Frances, Chase Metzger

Sex Differences in the Disease Progression of FTD vs AD.

Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases are on the rise in aging populations due to the upper tier of the population getting larger in that age group (Zheng & Chen, 2022). Knowing this, there is great benefit in more accurate and early diagnosis of conditions like frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Particularly, it is important to understand which variables may contribute to differences in disease burden and progression of associated sequalae, with one of those variables being biological sex. The current study investigated sex differences …

Alzheimer's Disease, Dylan L. Weber

Student Publications

An overview of the background, etiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease.

The Trend Of Disruption In The Functional Brain Network Topology Of Alzheimer’S Disease, Alireza Fathian, Yousef Jamali, Mohammad Reza Raoufy, The Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, Michael W. Weiner, Norbert Schuf, Howard J. Rosen, Bruce L. Miller, Thomas Neylan, Jacqueline Hayess, Shannon Finley, Paul Aisen, Zaven Khachaturian, Ronald G. Thomas, Charles D. Smith, Gregory A. Jicha, Peter A. Hardy, Partha Sinha, Elizabeth Oates, Gary Conrad

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive disorder associated with cognitive dysfunction that alters the brain’s functional connectivity. Assessing these alterations has become a topic of increasing interest. However, a few studies have examined different stages of AD from a complex network perspective that cover different topological scales. This study used resting state fMRI data to analyze the trend of functional connectivity alterations from a cognitively normal (CN) state through early and late mild cognitive impairment (EMCI and LMCI) and to Alzheimer’s disease. The analyses had been done at the local (hubs and activated links and areas), meso (clustering, assortativity, and …

Plasmalogen Deficiency: A Risk Factor For Dementias And Potential Treatment Target, Mitchel A. Kling, Mallika Mendu, Rima F. Kaddurah-Daouk, Sheldon Jordan, Dayan B. Goodenowe

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Altered lipid metabolism is implicated in the risk of sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias (ADRD); however, the precise mechanisms accounting for findings from observational studies remains to be fully elucidated.

Plasmalogens are a subclass of integral membrane phospholipids with unique properties that appear to play important roles relevant to the pathophysiology of AD and ADRD, including vesicle fusion necessary for synaptic neurotransmitter release, modulation of membrane fluidity and microdomain dynamics, membrane antioxidant functions, and neuroprotection. Like the more familiar phosphatides, plasmalogens are synthesized on a 3-carbon glycerol backbone; however, they differ from phosphatides by the presence of a …

New Insights Into The Genetic Etiology Of Alzheimer’S Disease And Related Dementias, Céline Bellenguez, Fahri Küçükali, Iris Jansen, Luca Kleineidam, Sonia Moreno-Grau, Najaf Amin, Adam C. Naj, Rafael Campos-Martin, David W. Fardo, Yuriko Kastumata, Erin L. Abner, Radb, Gr@Ace, Degesco, Eadi, Gerad, Demgene, Finngen, Adgc, Charge

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

Characterization of the genetic landscape of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias (ADD) provides a unique opportunity for a better understanding of the associated pathophysiological processes. We performed a two-stage genome-wide association study totaling 111,326 clinically diagnosed/‘proxy’ AD cases and 677,663 controls. We found 75 risk loci, of which 42 were new at the time of analysis. Pathway enrichment analyses confirmed the involvement of amyloid/tau pathways and highlighted microglia implication. Gene prioritization in the new loci identified 31 genes that were suggestive of new genetically associated processes, including the tumor necrosis factor alpha pathway through the linear ubiquitin chain assembly …

Sensory Processing Abnormalities In Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Cognitive Impairment: A Mixed Methods Study, Elizabeth K. Rhodus, Elizabeth G. Hunter, Graham D. Rowles, Shoshana H. Bardach, Kelly Parsons, Justin M. Barber, Maryellen Thompson, Gregory A. Jicha

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia often leads to behavioral and psychiatric symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Sensory processing abnormalities may be associated with BPSD. The purpose of this study was to explore relationships among sensory processing, behavior, and environmental features within the homes of people with MCI or dementia. This project used mixed methods to assess participants’ sensory processing, care partner perspectives on behaviors, and in situ observations of the home environment. Nine participants with cognitive impairment (MCI n = 8, early dementia = 1) and their care partners were included. Seven participants with cognitive impairment were reported to have …

Efficacy Of Prebiotic Dietary Intervention To Mitigate Risks For Dementia Via The Gut-Brain Axis, Lucille M. Yanckello

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia with various risk factors including age, environmental factors such as brain injury and genetic factors, such as the E4 allele of the Apolipoprotein gene. Presence of the APOE4 allele increases AD risk by two- to four- fold. Recent studies have shown that mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), even without loss of consciousness, increases risk of dementia diagnosis by more than two-fold in military personnel and is also a significant environmental risk factor for developing dementia in the general population. The gut-brain axis (GBA) or bi-directional communication between the brain and …

Alzheimer's Disease Research Progress In Australia: The Alzheimer's Association International Conference Satellite Symposium In Sydney, Claire E. Sexton, Kaarin J. Anstey, Filippo Baldacci, C. J. Barnum, Anna M. Barron, Kaj Blennow, Henry Brodaty, Samantha Burnham, Fanny M. Elahi, Jürgen Götz, Yun-Hee Jeon, Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui, Susan M. Landau, Nicola T. Lautenschlager, Simon M. Laws, Darren M. Lipnicki, Hanzhang Lu, Colin L. Masters, Wendy Moyle, Akinori Nakamura, Giulio Maria Pasinetti, Naren Rao, Christopher Rowe, Perminder S. Sachdev, Peter R. Schofield, Einar M. Sigurdsson

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The Alzheimer's Association International Conference held its sixth Satellite Symposium in Sydney, Australia in 2019, highlighting the leadership of Australian researchers in advancing the understanding of and treatment developments for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias. This leadership includes the Australian Imaging, Biomarker, and Lifestyle Flagship Study of Ageing (AIBL), which has fueled the identification and development of many biomarkers and novel therapeutics. Two multimodal lifestyle intervention studies have been launched in Australia; and Australian researchers have played leadership roles in other global studies in diverse populations. Australian researchers have also played an instrumental role in efforts to understand mechanisms …

Faces Of Pain In Dementia: Learnings From A Real-World Study Using A Technology-Enabled Pain Assessment Tool, Mustafa Atee, Kreshnik Hoti, Paola Chivers, Jeffery D. Hughes

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Pain is common in people living with dementia (PLWD), including those with limited verbal skills. Facial expressions are key behavioral indicators of the pain experience in this group. However, there is a lack of real-world studies to report the prevalence and associations of pain-relevant facial micro-expressions in PLWD. In this observational retrospective study, pain-related facial features were studied in a sample of 3,144 PLWD [mean age 83.3 years (SD = 9.0); 59.0% female] using the Face domain of PainChek®, a point-of-care medical device application. Pain assessments were completed by 389 users from two national dementia-specific care programs and 34 Australian …

Design And Development Of A Mobile Health (Mhealth) Platform For Dementia Prevention In The Prevention Of Dementia By Mobile Phone Applications (Prodemos) Project, Melanie Hafdi, Esmé Eggink, Marieke P. Hoevenaar-Blom, M. Patrick Witvliet, Sandrine Andrieu, Linda Barnes, Carol Brayne, Rachael Brooks, Nicola Coley, Jean Georges, Abraham Van Der Groep, Harm Van Marwijk, Mark Van Der Meijden, Libin Song, Manshu Song, Youxin Wang, Wenzhi Wang, Wei Wang, Anders Wimo, Xiaoyan Ye, Eric P. Moll Van Charante, Edo Richard, Prodemos Consortium

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background:

Mobile health (mHealth) has the potential to bring preventive healthcare within reach of populations with limited access to preventive services, by delivering personalized support at low cost. Although numerous mHealth interventions are available, very few have been developed following an evidence-based rationale or have been tested for efficacy. This article describes the systematic development of a coach-supported mHealth application to improve healthy lifestyles for the prevention of dementia and cardiovascular disease in the United Kingdom (UK) and China.

Methods:

Development of the Prevention of Dementia by Mobile Phone applications (PRODEMOS) platform built upon the experiences with the Healthy Aging …

Dementia Risk Reduction: Why Haven't The Pharmacological Risk Reduction Trials Worked? An In-Depth Exploration Of Seven Established Risk Factors, Ruth Peters, John Breitner, Sarah James, Gregory A. Jicha, Pierre-Francois Meyer, Marcus Richards, A. David Smith, Hussein N. Yassine, Erin L. Abner, Atticus H. Hainsworth, Patrick G. Kehoe, Nigel Beckett, Christopher Weber, Craig Anderson, Kaarin J. Anstey, Hiroko H. Dodge

Neurology Faculty Publications

Identifying the leading health and lifestyle factors for the risk of incident dementia and Alzheimer's disease has yet to translate to risk reduction. To understand why, we examined the discrepancies between observational and clinical trial evidence for seven modifiable risk factors: type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, estrogens, inflammation, omega-3 fatty acids, and hyperhomocysteinemia. Sample heterogeneity and paucity of intervention details (dose, timing, formulation) were common themes. Epidemiological evidence is more mature for some interventions (eg, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs]) than others. Trial data are promising for anti-hypertensives and B vitamin supplementation. Taken together, these risk factors highlight a future need …

Higher Coffee Consumption Is Associated With Slower Cognitive Decline And Less Cerebral Aβ-Amyloid Accumulation Over 126 Months: Data From The Australian Imaging, Biomarkers, And Lifestyle Study, Samantha L. Gardener, Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith, Victor L. Villemagne, Jurgen Fripp, Vincent Doré, Pierrick Bourgeat, Kevin Taddei, Christopher Fowler, Colin L. Masters, Paul Maruff, Christopher C. Rowe, David Ames, Ralph N. Martins, Aibl Investigators

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background:

Worldwide, coffee is one of the most popular beverages consumed. Several studies have suggested a protective role of coffee, including reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, there is limited longitudinal data from cohorts of older adults reporting associations of coffee intake with cognitive decline, in distinct domains, and investigating the neuropathological mechanisms underpinning any such associations.

Methods: The aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between self-reported habitual coffee intake, and cognitive decline assessed using a comprehensive neuropsychological battery in 227 cognitively normal older adults from the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers, and Lifestyle (AIBL) study, over …

Effects Of The Tailored Activity Program (Tap) On Dementia-Related Symptoms, Health Events And Caregiver Wellbeing: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Laura N Gitlin, Katherine Marx, Catherine V. Piersol, Nancy A Hodgson, Jin Huang, David L Roth, Constantine Lyketsos

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: People living with dementia (PLWD) and caregivers are adversely impacted by lack of meaningful activity leading to worse symptoms and impaired quality-of-life. There is a critical need to develop effective and well-tolerated treatments that mitigate clinical symptoms, engage PLWD and support caregiver wellbeing. We tested whether, compared to attention control, the Tailored Activity Program (TAP) reduced clinical symptoms and health-related events, and improved caregiver wellbeing, and if TAP activities were well-tolerated.

METHODS: We conducted a single-blind randomized controlled trial among 250 dyads recruited from Baltimore-Washington DC (2012-2016) with a dementia diagnosis and clinically significant agitation/aggression. Dyads were randomized to …

Committee On High-Quality Alzheimer’S Disease Studies (Chads) Consensus Report, Gregory A. Jicha, Erin L. Abner, Steven E. Arnold, Maria C. Carrillo, Hiroko H. Dodge, Steven D. Edland, Keith N. Fargo, Howard H. Feldman, Larry B. Goldstein, James A. Hendrix, Ruth Peters, Julie M. Robillard, Lon S. Schneider, Jodi R. Titiner, Christopher J. Weber

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

Background: Consensus guidance for the development and identification of high-quality Alzheimer's disease clinical trials is needed for protocol development and conduct of clinical trials.

Methods: An ad hoc consensus committee was convened in conjunction with the Alzheimer's Association to develop consensus recommendations.

Results: Consensus was readily reached for the need to provide scientific justification, registration of trials, institutional review board oversight, conflict of interest disclosure, funding source disclosure, defined trial population, recruitment resources, definition of the intervention, specification of trial duration, appropriate payment for participant engagement, risk-benefit disclosure as part of the consent process, and the requirement …

Bilingual Problem-Solving Training For Caregivers Of Adults With Dementia: A Randomized, Factorial-Design Protocol For The Cades Trial, Shannon B. Juengst, Charlene Supnet, Chung Lin (Novelle) Kew, Valeria Silva, Marlene Vega, Gang Han, Brendan Kelley, Matthew Lee Smith, Gladys E. Maestre

School of Medicine Publications

Objective: Caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) often experience debilitating caregiver burden and emotional distress. To address these negative emotional consequences of caregiving, we will test and refine a strategy training intervention - Problem-Solving Training (PST) - that promotes self-efficacy and reduces caregiver burden and depressive symptoms. Previous research supports efficacy of PST; however, we do not know exactly how many PST sessions are needed or if post-training "boosters" are required to maintain PST benefits. Additionally, we translated and culturally-adapted PST into "Descubriendo Soluciones Juntos" (DSJ), our novel intervention for Spanish-speaking caregivers.

Method: In this 2 …

Early Indicators Of Cognitive Dysfunction: The Role Of Mild Behavioral Impairment, Hillary J. Rouse

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Older age is associated with an increased risk for cognitively impairing diseases such as dementia. Despite significant research to find ways to cure this disease, there has been little success. However, a critical need when an intervention is discovered is a need to find ways to identify people who are at the greatest risk of developing dementia earlier in the disease process so that interventions can be implemented at that time. This could potentially lessen their risk or delay when they are diagnosed. Using longitudinal data from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (NACC), the aims of this current dissertation were …