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Nuvoli S, Tanda G, Stazza ML, Palumbo B, Frantellizzi V, De Vincentis G, Spanu A, Madeddu G. 123I-Ioflupane SPECT and 18F-FDG PET Combined Use in the Characterization of Movement and Cognitive Associated Disorders in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Curr Alzheimer Res 2021; 18:196-207. [PMID: 34102975 DOI: 10.2174/1567205018666210608112302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Both movement (MD) and cognitive (CD) disorders can occur associated in some neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). OBJECTIVE We further investigated the usefulness of 123I-Ioflupane SPECT and 18F-FDG PET combined use in patients with these disorders in the early stage. METHODS We retrospectively enrolled twenty-five consecutive patients with MD and CD clinical symptoms of recent appearance. All patients had undergone neurologic examination, neuropsychological tests, and magnetic resonance imaging. 123I-Ioflupane SPECT was performed in all cases, followed by 18F-FDG PET two weeks later. In the two procedures, both qualitative (QL) and quantitative (QN) image analyses were determined. RESULTS In patients with both 123I-Ioflupane SPECT and 18F-FDG PET pathologic data, associated dopaminergic and cognitive impairments were confirmed in 56% of cases. Pathologic SPECT with normal PET in 16% of cases could diagnose MD and exclude an associated CD, despite clinical symptoms. On the contrary, normal SPECT with pathologic PET in 28% of cases could exclude basal ganglia damage while confirming CD. QN 123I-Ioflupane SPECT analysis showed better performance than QL since QN correctly characterized two cases of MD with normal QL. Moreover, correct classification of normal metabolism was made only by QN analysis of 18F-FDG PET in four cases, despite suspect areas of hypometabolism at QL. CONCLUSION The combined use of these imaging procedures proved a reliable diagnostic tool to accurately identify and characterize MD and CD in early stage. QN analysis was effective in supporting QL evaluation, and its routine use is suggested, especially with inconclusive QL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Nuvoli
- Unit of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Giovanna Tanda
- Unit of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Maria L Stazza
- Unit of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Barbara Palumbo
- Section of Nuclear Medicine and Health Physics, Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | | | - Angela Spanu
- Unit of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Madeddu
- Unit of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The COVID-19 infection results in various viral-related physical and mental health problems, joined with the long-term psychological impact of the pandemic in general. However, the accompanying neurocognitive changes remain poorly understood. RECENT FINDINGS We synthetize the current knowledge of viral (SARS-CoV-2) induced inflammation, mechanisms to viral entry into the central nervous system and altered neurotransmitter systems to provide an informed neurobiological explanation for the rise of neurocognitive disorders (defined as per the DSM-5 criteria). SUMMARY The mild and major neurocognitive disorder symptoms due to the COVID-19 pandemic provide a unique opportunity to address the early changes underlying neurocognitive impairment at both clinical and molecular level. We discuss the utilization of the available evidence for their management and future novel therapeutic opportunities.
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3
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Chiu PY, Tzeng RC, Wei CY, Hung GU, Hu CJ. Tremor in Vascular Cognitive Impairment Raises the Possibility of Mixed Pathology With Lewy Body Disease. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:781. [PMID: 32903761 PMCID: PMC7438838 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Tremor is common in patients with Lewy body disease (LBD) and not rare in normal individuals. Prevalence of tremor in patients with vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) and its association with other comorbidities are seldom studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the patient characteristics of VCI associated with tremor and to evaluate the possibility of mixed pathology with LBD in these patients. Methods Retrospective analysis of a large population with VCI registered in the database of a regional healthcare system was performed. VCI patients were divided into tremor and non-tremor groups. The associated characteristics including demographics, clinical features in motor and non-motor domains, vascular risk factors, and neuroimaging features were compared between the tremor group and the non-tremor group. Results Among 1337 patients with VCI, 292 (21.8%) had tremor, while 1045 (78.2%) did not have tremor. The tremor group had significantly higher prevalence of all motor and non-motor LBD clinical features than the non-tremor group. The tremor group also demonstrated more severe neuropsychiatric symptoms. Among patients with tremor, patients having tremor onset earlier than stroke onset showed significantly higher prevalence of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder. All comparisons were adjusted for age and severity of dementia. Conclusion Tremor is a common comorbidity of VCI. VCI patients with tremor had a higher prevalence of motor and non-motor LBD features. These findings raised the possibility of VCI patients with tremor having high possibility of mixed pathology with LBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pai-Yi Chiu
- Department of Neurology, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan.,Department of Nursing, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Da-Yeh University, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Ray-Chang Tzeng
- Department of Neurology, Tainan Municipal Hospital (Managed by Show Chwan Medical Care Corporation), Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Yu Wei
- Department of Exercise and Health Promotion, College of Education, Chinese Culture University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Guang-Uei Hung
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chang Bing Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Chaur-Jong Hu
- Department of Neurology, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
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4
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Das S, Zhang Z, Ang LC. Clinicopathological overlap of neurodegenerative diseases: A comprehensive review. J Clin Neurosci 2020; 78:30-33. [PMID: 32354648 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2020.04.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Clinical and neuropathological overlap of two or more neurodegenerative diseases (ND) is not an uncommon occurrence yet is still underdiagnosed in clinical neurological and neuropathological. The authors present a clinicopathological overview of the current understanding of overlapping ND's with the hope that this review will encourage further studies that are required to investigate the effect of such overlaps on clinical presentations and how often clinical presentations raise the suspicion of multiple ND's. The authors suggest that as more patients with overlapping ND's come to light, traditional classification system of ND's may need to be modified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Das
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology (Neuropathology), University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Canada; Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
| | - Zach Zhang
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Lee Cyn Ang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, Canada
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5
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Cummings J, Feldman HH, Scheltens P. The "rights" of precision drug development for Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Res Ther 2019; 11:76. [PMID: 31470905 PMCID: PMC6717388 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-019-0529-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
There is a high rate of failure in Alzheimer's disease (AD) drug development with 99% of trials showing no drug-placebo difference. This low rate of success delays new treatments for patients and discourages investment in AD drug development. Studies across drug development programs in multiple disorders have identified important strategies for decreasing the risk and increasing the likelihood of success in drug development programs. These experiences provide guidance for the optimization of AD drug development. The "rights" of AD drug development include the right target, right drug, right biomarker, right participant, and right trial. The right target identifies the appropriate biologic process for an AD therapeutic intervention. The right drug must have well-understood pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic features, ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier, efficacy demonstrated in animals, maximum tolerated dose established in phase I, and acceptable toxicity. The right biomarkers include participant selection biomarkers, target engagement biomarkers, biomarkers supportive of disease modification, and biomarkers for side effect monitoring. The right participant hinges on the identification of the phase of AD (preclinical, prodromal, dementia). Severity of disease and drug mechanism both have a role in defining the right participant. The right trial is a well-conducted trial with appropriate clinical and biomarker outcomes collected over an appropriate period of time, powered to detect a clinically meaningful drug-placebo difference, and anticipating variability introduced by globalization. We lack understanding of some critical aspects of disease biology and drug action that may affect the success of development programs even when the "rights" are adhered to. Attention to disciplined drug development will increase the likelihood of success, decrease the risks associated with AD drug development, enhance the ability to attract investment, and make it more likely that new therapies will become available to those with or vulnerable to the emergence of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Cummings
- Department of Brain Health, School of Integrated Health Sciences, UNLV and Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, 888 West Bonneville Ave, Las Vegas, NV, 89106, USA.
| | - Howard H Feldman
- Department of Neurosciences, Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Philip Scheltens
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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6
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Gallucci M, Dell'Acqua C, Bergamelli C, Fenoglio C, Serpente M, Galimberti D, Fiore V, Medea S, Gregianin M, Di Battista ME. A Case with Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease, Frontotemporal Hypometabolism, ApoE Genotype ɛ4/ɛ4 and C9ORF72 Intermediate Expansion: A Treviso Dementia (TREDEM) Registry Case Report. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 67:985-993. [PMID: 30714955 DOI: 10.3233/jad-180715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
We report the case of a woman firstly referred to our Memory Clinic at the age of 61, following the development of cognitive complaints and difficulties in sustained attention. The investigation that was performed showed: predominant executive dysfunctions at the neuropsychological evaluation, with mild, partial and stable involvement of the memory domain; cortical and subcortical atrophy with well-preserved hippocampal structures at MRI; marked fronto-temporal and moderate parietal hypometabolism from 18F-FDG PET study with a sparing of the posterior cingulate and precuneus; positivity of amyloid-β at 18F-Flutemetamol PET; an hexanucleotide intermediate repeats expansion of C9ORF72 gene (12//38 repeats) and ApoE genotype ɛ4/ɛ4. The patient was diagnosed with probable early onset frontal variant of Alzheimer's disease (AD), presenting with a major executive function impairment. The lack of specific areas of brain atrophy, as well as the failure to meet the clinical criteria for any frontotemporal dementia, drove us to perform the aforementioned investigations, which yielded our final diagnosis. The present case highlights the need to take into consideration a diagnosis of frontal variant of AD when the metabolic and the clinical picture are somehow dissonant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Gallucci
- Cognitive Impairment Center, Local Health Autority n.2 Marca Trevigiana, Treviso, Italy
| | - Carola Dell'Acqua
- Cognitive Impairment Center, Local Health Autority n.2 Marca Trevigiana, Treviso, Italy
| | - Cristina Bergamelli
- Cognitive Impairment Center, Local Health Autority n.2 Marca Trevigiana, Treviso, Italy
| | | | | | - Daniela Galimberti
- University of Milan, Dino Ferrari Center, Milan, Italy.,Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Policlinico, Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, Milan, Italy
| | - Vittorio Fiore
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Local Health Autority n.2 Marca Trevigiana, Treviso, Italy
| | - Stefano Medea
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Local Health Autority n.2 Marca Trevigiana, Treviso, Italy
| | - Michele Gregianin
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Local Health Autority n.2 Marca Trevigiana, Treviso, Italy
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7
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Abstract
Background Survival estimates are integral to care for patients diagnosed with dementia. Few Canadian studies have carried out long-term follow-up of well-described cohorts, analyzing survival related to multiple risk factors. Methods Survival analysis of an inception cohort enrolled at a British Columbia (BC) tertiary dementia referral clinic between 1997 and 1999 was undertaken. Vital status was completed for 168 patients diagnosed with dementia. An evaluation of the effects of demographics, vascular risk factors, cognitive and functional ratings, apolipoprotein 4-status, and cholinesterase use on survival was performed using a log-rank test and time-dependent Cox regression. Survival of this dementia cohort was compared with the age-matched life expectancy of persons in BC. Results In all, 158/168 (94.0%) subjects died over 16.6 years, with a median survival of 7.08 years. Risk factors associated with shorter survival in dementia groups included age of onset ≥80 (hazard ratio [HR] 1.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05-2.32); greater functional disability (Disability Assessment for Dementia<55% [HR 1.47, 95% CI 1.04-2.08]); and cumulative medical illness severity (Cumulative Illness Rating Scale≥7 [HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.08-2.12)]. Compared with the BC population, years of potential life lost for dementia subjects aged <65 was 15.36 years, and for dementia subjects aged ≥80 it was 1.82 years. Conclusions Survival in dementia subjects is shorter than population life expectancies for each age strata, with greatest impact on younger patients. For people diagnosed with dementia, age ≥80 years, cumulative medical illness severity, and functional disabilities are the most significant survival predictors and can be used to guide prognosis.
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8
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The de-alzheimerisation of dementia? An analysis of internet searches. Eur Geriatr Med 2018; 9:117-120. [PMID: 34654271 DOI: 10.1007/s41999-017-0006-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Alzheimer's disease is often seen by the public as synonymous with dementia but this may have changed in recent years. METHODS We used Google Trends to examine the relative volume of internet searches from 2004 to July 2017 for the terms 'dementia' and 'Alzheimer' in English-speaking countries. For each country, a linear regression model was fitted for each search term and the slopes of the lines were compared. RESULTS The slopes (standard error) for 'dementia' and 'Alzheimer', respectively, were: Australia-0.26 (0.02) and - 001 (0.002); Canada-0.23 (0.01) and 0.004 (0.01); Ireland: 0.33 (0.02) and - 0.04 (0.01); United Kingdom-0.36 (0.01) and 0.01 (0.001); and United States-0.23 (0.01) and - 0.01 (0.004). Differences between slopes were all significant at p < 0.001. CONCLUSIONS In all countries, there was a large increase over time in relative search volumes for 'dementia' and a flat or negative trend in searches for 'Alzheimer'.
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9
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Wong S, Bertoux M, Savage G, Hodges JR, Piguet O, Hornberger M. Comparison of Prefrontal Atrophy and Episodic Memory Performance in Dysexecutive Alzheimer's Disease and Behavioral-Variant Frontotemporal Dementia. J Alzheimers Dis 2016; 51:889-903. [PMID: 26923025 DOI: 10.3233/jad-151016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) sometimes presents with prominent executive dysfunction and associated prefrontal cortex atrophy. The impact of such executive deficits on episodic memory performance as well as their neural correlates in AD, however, remains unclear. The aim of the current study was to investigate episodic memory and brain atrophy in AD patients with relatively spared executive functioning (SEF-AD; n = 12) and AD patients with relatively impaired executive functioning (IEF-AD; n = 23). We also compared the AD subgroups with a group of behavioral-variant frontotemporal dementia patients (bvFTD; n = 22), who typically exhibit significant executive deficits, and age-matched healthy controls (n = 38). On cognitive testing, the three patient groups showed comparable memory profiles on standard episodic memory tests, with significant impairment relative to controls. Voxel-based morphometry analyses revealed extensive prefrontal and medial temporal lobe atrophy in IEF-AD and bvFTD, whereas this was limited to the middle frontal gyrus and hippocampus in SEF-AD. Moreover, the additional prefrontal atrophy in IEF-AD and bvFTD correlated with memory performance, whereas this was not the case for SEF-AD. These findings indicate that IEF-AD patients show prefrontal atrophy in regions similar to bvFTD, and suggest that this contributes to episodic memory performance. This has implications for the differential diagnosis of bvFTD and subtypes of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Wong
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders, Sydney, Australia.,Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.,Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Maxime Bertoux
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cambridge University, UK
| | - Greg Savage
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders, Sydney, Australia.,Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - John R Hodges
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders, Sydney, Australia.,Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Olivier Piguet
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders, Sydney, Australia.,Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michael Hornberger
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders, Sydney, Australia.,Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, UK
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10
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Friends or Foes: Matrix Metalloproteinases and Their Multifaceted Roles in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Mediators Inflamm 2015; 2015:620581. [PMID: 26538832 PMCID: PMC4619970 DOI: 10.1155/2015/620581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Revised: 09/03/2015] [Accepted: 09/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegeneration is a chronic progressive loss of neuronal cells leading to deterioration of central nervous system (CNS) functionality. It has been shown that neuroinflammation precedes neurodegeneration in various neurodegenerative diseases. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a protein family of zinc-containing endopeptidases, are essential in (neuro)inflammation and might be involved in neurodegeneration. Although MMPs are indispensable for physiological development and functioning of the organism, they are often referred to as double-edged swords due to their ability to also inflict substantial damage in various pathological conditions. MMP activity is strictly controlled, and its dysregulation leads to a variety of pathologies. Investigation of their potential use as therapeutic targets requires a better understanding of their contributions to the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we review MMPs and their roles in neurodegenerative diseases: Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington's disease (HD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). We also discuss MMP inhibition as a possible therapeutic strategy to treat neurodegenerative diseases.
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11
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Raamana PR, Weiner MW, Wang L, Beg MF. Thickness network features for prognostic applications in dementia. Neurobiol Aging 2015; 36 Suppl 1:S91-S102. [PMID: 25444603 PMCID: PMC5849081 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2014.05.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2013] [Revised: 05/09/2014] [Accepted: 05/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Regional analysis of cortical thickness has been studied extensively in building imaging biomarkers for early detection of Alzheimer's disease but not its interregional covariation of thickness. We present novel features based on the inter-regional covariation of cortical thickness. Initially, the cortical labels of each subject are partitioned into small patches (graph nodes) by spatial k-means clustering. A graph is then constructed by establishing a link between 2 nodes if the difference in thickness between the nodes is below a certain threshold. From this binary graph, a thickness network is computed using nodal degree, betweenness, and clustering coefficient measures. Fusing them with multiple kernel learning, it is observed that thickness network features discriminate mild cognitive impairment (MCI) converters from controls (CN) with an area under curve (AUC) of 0.83, 74% sensitivity and 76% specificity on a large subset obtained from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative data set. A comparison of predictive utility in Alzheimer's disease and/or CN classification (AUC of 0.92, 80% sensitivity [SENS] and 90% specificity [SPEC]), in discriminating CN from MCI (converters and nonconverters combined; AUC of 0.75, SENS and SPEC of 64% and 73%, respectively) and in discriminating between MCI nonconverters and MCI converters (AUC of 0.68, SENS and SPEC of 65% and 64%) is also presented. ThickNet features as defined here are novel, can be derived from a single magnetic resonance imaging scan, and demonstrate the potential for the computer-aided prognostic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradeep Reddy Raamana
- Department of Engineering Science, School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Michael W Weiner
- Department of Radiology, Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mirza Faisal Beg
- Department of Engineering Science, School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.
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12
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Lee DR, McKeith I, Mosimann U, Ghosh-Nodial A, Grayson L, Wilson B, Thomas AJ. The dementia cognitive fluctuation scale, a new psychometric test for clinicians to identify cognitive fluctuations in people with dementia. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2014; 22:926-35. [PMID: 24332982 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2013.01.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2011] [Revised: 05/01/2012] [Accepted: 10/26/2012] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Cognitive fluctuation (CF) is a common feature of dementia and a core diagnostic symptom for dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). CF remains difficult to accurately and reliably detect clinically. This study aimed to develop a psychometric test that could be used by clinicians to facilitate the identification of CF and improve the recognition and diagnosis of DLB and Parkinson disease, and to improve differential diagnosis of other dementias. METHODS We compiled a 17-item psychometric test for identifying CF and applied this measure in a cross-sectional design. Participants were recruited from the North East of England, and assessments were made in individuals' homes. We recruited people with four subtypes of dementia and a healthy comparison group, and all subjects were administered this pilot scale together with other standard ratings. The psychometric properties of the scale were examined with exploratory factor analysis. We also examined the ability of individual items to identify CF to discriminate between dementia subtypes. The sensitivity and specificity of discriminating items were explored along with validity and reliability analyses. RESULTS Participants comprised 32 comparison subjects, 30 people with Alzheimer disease, 30 with vascular dementia, 29 with DLB, and 32 with dementia associated with Parkinson disease. Four items significantly discriminated between dementia groups and showed good levels of sensitivity (range: 78.6%-80.3%) and specificity (range: 73.9%-79.3%). The scale had very good levels of test-retest (Cronbach's alpha: 0.82) and interrater (0.81) reliabilities. The four items loaded onto three different factors. These items were: 1) marked differences in functioning during the daytime; 2) daytime somnolence; 3) daytime drowsiness; and 4) altered levels of consciousness during the day. CONCLUSIONS We identified four items that provide valid, sensitive, and specific questions for reliably identifying CF and distinguishing the Lewy body dementias from other major causes of dementia (Alzheimer disease and vascular dementia).
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Lee
- Biomedical Research Building, Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Ian McKeith
- Biomedical Research Building, Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Urs Mosimann
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry, University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Arunima Ghosh-Nodial
- Biomedical Research Building, Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Louise Grayson
- Biomedical Research Building, Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Barbara Wilson
- Biomedical Research Building, Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Alan J Thomas
- Biomedical Research Building, Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
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13
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Feldman HH, Haas M, Gandy S, Schoepp DD, Cross AJ, Mayeux R, Sperling RA, Fillit H, van de Hoef DL, Dougal S, Nye JS. Alzheimer's disease research and development: a call for a new research roadmap. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2014; 1313:1-16. [PMID: 24754377 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.12424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological projections of the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias, the rapidly expanding population over the age of 65, and the enormous societal consequence on health, economics, and community foretell of a looming global public health crisis. Currently available treatments for AD are symptomatic, with modest effect sizes and limited impact on longer term disease outcomes. There have been no newly approved pharmaceutical treatments in the last decade, despite enormous efforts to develop disease-modifying treatments directed at Alzheimer's-associated pathology. An unprecedented collaborative effort of government, regulators, industry, academia, and the community at-large is needed to address this crisis and to develop an actionable plan for rapid progress toward successfully developing effective treatments. Here, we map out a course of action in four key priority areas, including (1) addressing the fundamental mechanisms of disease, with the goal of developing a core set of research tools, a framework for data sharing, and creation of accessible validated and replicated disease models; (2) developing translational research that emphasizes rapid progress in disease model development and better translation from preclinical to clinical stages, deploying leading technologies to more accurately develop predictive models; (3) preventing AD through the development of robust methods and resources to advance trials and creating fundamental resources such as continuous adaptive trials, registries, data repositories, and instrument development; and (4) innovating public/private partnerships and global collaborations, with mechanisms to incentivize collaborations and investments, develop larger precompetitive spaces, and more rapid data sharing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Howard H Feldman
- Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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14
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Rosa-Neto P, Hsiung GYR, Masellis M. Fluid biomarkers for diagnosing dementia: rationale and the Canadian Consensus on Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia recommendations for Canadian physicians. Alzheimers Res Ther 2013; 5:S8. [PMID: 24565514 PMCID: PMC3980280 DOI: 10.1186/alzrt223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Fluid biomarkers improve the diagnostic accuracy in dementia and provide an objective measure potentially useful as a therapeutic response in clinical trials. The role of fluid biomarkers in patient care is a rapidly evolving field. Here, we provide a review and recommendations regarding the use of fluid biomarkers in clinical practice as discussed at the Fourth Canadian Consensus Conference on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia (CCCDTD4) convened in Montreal, 4 to 5 May 2012. At present, there is no consensus regarding the optimal methodology for conducting quantification of plasma amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides. In addition, since there is insufficient evidence supporting clinical applications for plasma Aβ-peptide measures, the CCCDTD4 does not recommended plasma biomarkers either for primary care or for specialists. Evidence for CSF Aβ1-42, total tau and phosphorylated tau in the diagnosis of Alzheimer pathology is much stronger, and can be considered at the tertiary care level for selected cases to improve diagnostic certainty, particularly in those cases presenting atypical clinical features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Rosa-Neto
- McGill Centre for Studies in Aging, McGill University, 6825 LaSalle Boulevard, Verdun, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H4H 1R3
- Douglas Research Institute, McGill University, 6875 LaSalle Blvd, FBC room 1144, F-0105 Montréal (Verdun), QC, Canada H4H 1R3
| | - Ging-Yuek Robin Hsiung
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, S162 - 2211 Wesbrook Mall, UBC Hospital, Vancouver BC, Canada V6T 2B5
| | - Mario Masellis
- L.C. Campbell Cognitive Neurology Research Unit, Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, 2075 Bayview Avenue Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4N 3M5
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3M5, Canada
- Neurogenetics Section, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (Queen and Ossington) 1001 Queen Street West; 30, 40, 50 and 60 White Squirrel Way; 100 and 101 Stokes Street; 80 Workman Way, Toronto, Ontario M6J 1H4, Canada
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Lam B, Masellis M, Freedman M, Stuss DT, Black SE. Clinical, imaging, and pathological heterogeneity of the Alzheimer's disease syndrome. ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH & THERAPY 2013; 5:1. [PMID: 23302773 PMCID: PMC3580331 DOI: 10.1186/alzrt155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 232] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
With increasing knowledge of clinical in vivo biomarkers and the pathological intricacies of Alzheimer's disease (AD), nosology is evolving. Harmonized consensus criteria that emphasize prototypic illness continue to develop to achieve diagnostic clarity for treatment decisions and clinical trials. However, it is clear that AD is clinically heterogeneous in presentation and progression, demonstrating variable topographic distributions of atrophy and hypometabolism/hypoperfusion. AD furthermore often keeps company with other conditions that may further nuance clinical expression, such as synucleinopathy exacerbating executive and visuospatial dysfunction and vascular pathologies (particularly small vessel disease that is increasingly ubiquitous with human aging) accentuating frontal-dysexecutive symptomatology. That some of these atypical clinical patterns recur may imply the existence of distinct AD variants. For example, focal temporal lobe dysfunction is associated with a pure amnestic syndrome, very slow decline, with atrophy and neurofibrillary tangles limited largely to the medial temporal region including the entorhinal cortex. Left parietal atrophy and/or hypometabolism/hypoperfusion are associated with language symptoms, younger age of onset, and faster rate of decline - a potential 'language variant' of AD. Conversely, the same pattern but predominantly affecting the right parietal lobe is associated with a similar syndrome but with visuospatial symptoms replacing impaired language function. Finally, the extremely rare frontal variant is associated with executive dysfunction out of keeping with degree of memory decline and may have prominent behavioural symptoms. Genotypic differences may underlie some of these subtypes; for example, absence of apolipoprotein E e4 is often associated with atypicality in younger onset AD. Understanding the mechanisms behind this variability merits further investigation, informed by recent advances in imaging techniques, biomarker assays, and quantitative pathological methods, in conjunction with standardized clinical, functional, neuropsychological and neurobehavioral evaluations. Such an understanding is needed to facilitate 'personalized AD medicine', and eventually allow for clinical trials targeting specific AD subtypes. Although the focus legitimately remains on prototypic illness, continuing efforts to develop disease-modifying therapies should not exclude the rarer AD subtypes and common comorbid presentations, as is currently often the case. Only by treating them as well can we address the full burden of this devastating dementia syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Lam
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON, Canada M4N 3M5
| | - Mario Masellis
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON, Canada M4N 3M5
| | - Morris Freedman
- Baycrest, Division of Neurology & Brain Health Centre Clinics, 3560 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON, Canada M6A, 2E1
| | - Donald T Stuss
- Ontario Brain Institute, MaRS Centre, 101 College Street, Toronto, ON, Canada M5G 1L7. Author affiliations are as follows. All authors: Department of Medicine (Neurology), University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. BL, MM, and SEB: LC Campbell Cognitive Neurology Research Unit, Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. MM: Neurogenetics Section, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. MF, DTS, and SEB: Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest, Toronto, Canada. MF: Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, Baycrest, Mt. Sinai Hospital, and University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. DTS: Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. DTS: Ontario Brain Institute, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sandra E Black
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON, Canada M4N 3M5
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the frequency of multiple pathology [Alzheimer Disease (AD) plus Vascular Dementia and/or Dementia with Lewy Bodies] in patients enrolled in clinical trials of AD therapy, and to compare the cognitive and functional assessments between patients with pure AD and AD with multiple pathology. METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with a clinical diagnosis of AD who were enrolled in AD therapy clinical trials and subsequently received an autopsy for confirmation of their diagnosis from 2000 to 2009. Performance on cognitive screening tests, namely Modified Mini Mental state (3MS) exam, Mini Mental state Exam (MMSE) and Functional Rating Scale (FRS) were compared between patients with pure AD and multiple pathology. RESULTS Autopsy reports were available for 16/47 (34%) of deceased patients. Of these 16 patients, 5 (31%) had pure AD pathology, 10 (63%) had AD with other pathology, and 1 (6%) had non-AD pathology. Compared to patients with pure AD, patients with AD mixed with other pathology had poorer baseline FRS in problem-solving (p<0.01) and community affairs (p<0.02). CONCLUSION While the strict enrollment criteria for clinical trials identified the presence of AD pathology in the majority of cases (15/16), multiple pathology was more common than pure AD in our series of autopsied patients. Premortem biomarkers that can distinguish between pure AD and AD with multiple pathology will be beneficial in future clinical trials and dementia patient management.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND People with Alzheimer's disease (AD) who present with prominent frontal features such as a dysexecutive syndrome may be difficult to differentiate clinically from subjects with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). This study was performed to improve the differential diagnosis between AD and FTLD and to better characterize the AD subgroup with greater executive dysfunction. METHODS Using a well-defined prospectively studied cohort of cognitively impaired subjects, which included those with AD and with FTLD, we nominated a frontal variant of AD (FvAD) group as those AD subjects with the lowest quartile of scores on the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), indicating greatest executive dysfunction, and compared them with the rest of the AD cases (whom we called the AD group) and those with FTLD across several baseline variables including cognitive, functional and behavioral scales. We also compared the changes from baseline for these three groups at 6 and 12 months. Additionally, we controlled for dementia severity by matching AD and FTLD cases on a functional scale, the SMAF, and repeated the same comparisons with these severity-matched groups. RESULTS The 114 FvAD subjects had a mean age of 78.1 years and Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) scores of 16.6, and the (remaining) AD group had a mean age of 78.4 years and MMSE of 22.4. There were 30 FTLD subjects with a mean age at baseline of 70.9 years and a mean baseline MMSE of 23.4. The FvAD group was significantly more severely impaired than the other two groups on all baseline assessments except the behavioral scale, the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), where there was insignificantly less impairment than in the FTLD group. In the analysis of subjects matched at baseline for functional impairment, the FvAD and FTLD groups were not significantly different on most assessment scales although on the FAB, clock-drawing and MMSE the FvAD subjects were still significantly more impaired. These two severity-matched groups were also similar in other baseline characteristics except for older age and less psychotropic use in the FvAD group. The severity-matched FvAD group was significantly different from the AD group in almost all assessment scales. All three unmatched and matched groups declined similarly over 12 months. CONCLUSIONS When groups were not matched for baseline severity, the use of the FAB defined a group of AD subjects with greater executive dysfunction that were distinguished from both the remainder of the AD and FTLD subjects in almost all domains except behavioral disturbance and probably were just more severely affected AD subjects. The FAB is thus more useful as a marker of dementia severity than as a scale to detect a frontal variant of AD or to distinguish AD from FTLD. Controlling for severity, however, did allow the definition of a subgroup of AD subjects that more closely resembled FTLD subjects than the remainder of the AD subjects. It is proposed that subjects with dementia presenting with greater executive impairment but without prominent behavioral symptoms are likely to have AD rather than FTLD, especially if they are quite functionally impaired. With time FTLD subjects develop increasing executive dysfunction and increasingly resemble the more severely affected AD subjects.
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