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Schrempft S, Baysson H, Graindorge C, Pullen N, Hagose M, Zaballa ME, Preisig M, Nehme M, Guessous I, Stringhini S. Biopsychosocial risk factors for subjective cognitive decline among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based study. Public Health 2024; 234:16-23. [PMID: 38924819 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2024.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES There have been concerns that the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures used to contain it impacted the cognitive health of older adults. We therefore examined the prevalence of subjective cognitive decline, and its associated risk factors and health consequencs, among dementia-free older adults 2 years into the pandemic in Switzerland. STUDY DESIGN Population-based cohort study. METHODS Prevalence of SCD was estimated using the cognitive complaint questionnaire administered to adults aged ≥65 years in June-September 2022 (Specchio-COVID19 cohort, N = 1414), and compared to prepandemic values from 2014 to 2018 (CoLaus|PsyCoLaus cohort, N = 1181). Associated risk factors and health consequences were assessed using logistic and/or linear regression. RESULTS Prevalence of SCD in 2022 (18.9% [95% CI, 16.2-21.9]) was comparable to prepandemic levels in 2014-2018 (19.5% [17.2-22.1]). Risk factors included established risks for dementia-namely health issues, health behaviours, and depressive symptoms. Self-reported post-COVID, perceived worsening of mental health since the start of the pandemic, less frequent social club attendance, and increased loneliness were also risk factors for SCD. In turn, SCD was associated with poorer objective cognitive performance, difficulty performing instrumental activities of daily living, greater risk of falls, and lower well-being at one-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS While the overall prevalence of SCD in 2022 was comparable to prepandemic levels, we identified several pandemic-related risk factors for SCD, including perceived worsening of mental health and increased isolation since the start of the pandemic. These findings highlight the importance of mental health promotion strategies in reducing cognitive complaints and preventing cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Schrempft
- Division of Primary Care Medicine, Unit of Population Epidemiology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - H Baysson
- Division of Primary Care Medicine, Unit of Population Epidemiology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - C Graindorge
- Division of Primary Care Medicine, Unit of Population Epidemiology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - N Pullen
- Division of Primary Care Medicine, Unit of Population Epidemiology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - M Hagose
- Division of Primary Care Medicine, Unit of Population Epidemiology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - M-E Zaballa
- Division of Primary Care Medicine, Unit of Population Epidemiology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - M Preisig
- Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - M Nehme
- Division of Primary Care Medicine, Unit of Population Epidemiology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland; Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - I Guessous
- Department of Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - S Stringhini
- Division of Primary Care Medicine, Unit of Population Epidemiology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland; University Centre for General Medicine and Public Health, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Morse RM, Koutsoubelis F, Whitfield T, Demnitz-King H, Ourry V, Stott J, Chocat A, Devouge EF, Walker Z, Klimecki O, Collette F, Chetelat G, Gonneaud J, Poisnel G, Marchant NL. Worry and ruminative brooding: associations with cognitive and physical health in older adults. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1332398. [PMID: 39021658 PMCID: PMC11252046 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1332398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Mental health conditions are associated with cognition and physical function in older adults. We examined whether worry and ruminative brooding, key symptoms of certain mental health conditions, are related to subjective and/or objective measures of cognitive and physical (cardiovascular) health. Methods We used baseline data from 282 participants from the SCD-Well and Age-Well trials (178 female; agemean = 71.1 years). We measured worry and ruminative brooding using the Penn State Worry Questionnaire and the Ruminative Response Scale-brooding subscale. We assessed subjective physical health using the WHOQOL-Bref physical subscale, and objective physical health via blood pressure and modified versions of the Framingham Risk Score and Charlson Comorbidity Index. With subjective and objective cognition, we utilized the Cognitive Difficulties Scale and a global composite (modified Preclinical Alzheimer's Cognitive Composite, PACC5, with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV, category fluency, Mattis Dementia Rating Scale-2, and either the California Verbal Learning Test or the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test). We conducted linear regressions, adjusted for education, age, sex and cohort. Results Worry and ruminative brooding were negatively associated with subjective physical health (worry: β = -0.245, 95%CI -0.357 to -0.133, p < 0.001; ruminative brooding: β = -0.224, 95%CI -0.334 to -0.113, p < 0.001) and subjective cognitive difficulties (worry: β = 0.196, 95%CI 0.091 to 0.302, p < 0.001; ruminative brooding: β = 0.239, 95%CI 0.133 to 0.346, p < 0.001). We did not observe associations between worry or ruminative brooding and any measure of objective health. Discussion Worry and ruminative brooding may be common mechanisms associated with subjective but not objective health. Alternatively, cognitively unimpaired older adults may become aware of subtle changes not captured by objective measures used in this study. Interventions reducing worry and ruminative brooding may promote subjective physical and cognitive health; however, more research is needed to determine causality of the relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel M. Morse
- Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Freya Koutsoubelis
- Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tim Whitfield
- Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Harriet Demnitz-King
- Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Valentin Ourry
- Normandy University, UNICAEN, INSERM, U1237, PhIND “Physiopathology and Imaging of Neurological Disorders”, NeuroPresage Team, Cyceron, Caen, France
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, PSL Université, EPHE, INSERM, U1077, CHU de Caen, GIP Cyceron, NIMH, Caen, France
| | - Josh Stott
- Department of Clinical, Education and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anne Chocat
- Normandy University, UNICAEN, INSERM, U1237, PhIND “Physiopathology and Imaging of Neurological Disorders”, NeuroPresage Team, Cyceron, Caen, France
| | - Eglantine Ferrand Devouge
- Normandy University, UNICAEN, INSERM, U1237, PhIND “Physiopathology and Imaging of Neurological Disorders”, NeuroPresage Team, Cyceron, Caen, France
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, Department of General Practice, Rouen, France
- Rouen University Hospital, CIC-CRB 1404, Rouen, France
| | - Zuzana Walker
- Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Essex, United Kingdom
| | - Olga Klimecki
- Clinical Psychology and Behavioural Neuroscience, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Gael Chetelat
- Normandy University, UNICAEN, INSERM, U1237, PhIND “Physiopathology and Imaging of Neurological Disorders”, NeuroPresage Team, Cyceron, Caen, France
| | - Julie Gonneaud
- Normandy University, UNICAEN, INSERM, U1237, PhIND “Physiopathology and Imaging of Neurological Disorders”, NeuroPresage Team, Cyceron, Caen, France
| | - Geraldine Poisnel
- Normandy University, UNICAEN, INSERM, U1237, PhIND “Physiopathology and Imaging of Neurological Disorders”, NeuroPresage Team, Cyceron, Caen, France
| | - Natalie L. Marchant
- Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Macoir J, Tremblay P, Beaudoin S, Parent M, Hudon C. Impaired lexical access for unique entities in individuals with subjective cognitive decline. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. ADULT 2024:1-11. [PMID: 38648449 DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2024.2344636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) may serve as an early indicator of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, accurately quantifying cognitive impairment in SCD is challenging, mainly because existing assessment tools lack sensitivity. This study examined how tasks specifically designed to assess knowledge of famous people, could potentially aid in identifying cognitive impairment in SCD. A total of 60 adults with SCD and 60 healthy controls (HCs) aged 50 to 82 years performed a famous people verbal fluency task and a famous people naming task. In the famous people fluency task, the results showed that the individuals with SCD produced significantly fewer famous names in the total time allowed than the HCs, and this difference was also found in the first and the second time interval. In the famous people naming task, the performance of the SCD group was significantly lower than that of the HC group only in the more recent period of fame. Overall, these results suggest that retrieving the names of famous people was more difficult for people with SCD than for people without cognitive complaints. They also suggest that famous people verbal fluency and naming tasks could be useful in detecting cognitive decline at the preclinical stage of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joël Macoir
- Faculté de Médecine, École des Sciences de la Réadaptation, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Centre de Recherche CERVO-Brain Research Centre, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Pascale Tremblay
- Faculté de Médecine, École des Sciences de la Réadaptation, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Centre de Recherche CERVO-Brain Research Centre, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Stéphanie Beaudoin
- Faculté de Médecine, École des Sciences de la Réadaptation, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Mathias Parent
- Faculté de Médecine, École des Sciences de la Réadaptation, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Carol Hudon
- Centre de Recherche CERVO-Brain Research Centre, Québec, QC, Canada
- Faculté des Sciences Sociales, École de Psychologie, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Centre de Recherche VITAM, Québec, QC, Canada
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Morse RM, Lang I, Rapaport P, Poppe M, Morgan-Trimmer S, Cooper C. How might secondary dementia prevention programs work in practice: a pre-implementation study of the APPLE-Tree program. BMC Geriatr 2024; 24:188. [PMID: 38408902 PMCID: PMC10895907 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-024-04762-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over 850,000 people in the UK currently have dementia, and that number is expected to grow rapidly. One approach that may help slow or prevent this growth is personalized dementia prevention. For most people, this will involve targeted lifestyle changes. These approaches have shown promise in trials, but as of yet, the evidence for how to scale them to a population level is lacking. In this pre-implementation study, we aimed to explore stakeholder perspectives on developing system-readiness for dementia prevention programs. We focused on the APPLE-Tree program, one of several low-intensity, lifestyle-based dementia prevention interventions currently in clinical trials. METHODS We conducted semi-structured interviews with health and social care professionals without previous experience with the APPLE-Tree program, who had direct care or managerial experience in services for older adults with memory concerns, without a dementia diagnosis. We used the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to guide interviews and thematic analysis. RESULTS We interviewed 26 stakeholders: commissioners and service managers (n = 15) and frontline workers (n = 11) from eight NHS and 11 third sector organizations throughout England. We identified three main themes: (1) favorable beliefs in the effectiveness of dementia prevention programs in enhancing cognition and wellbeing and their potential to fill a service gap for people with memory concerns, (2) challenges related to funding and capacity to deliver such programs at organizations without staff capacity or higher prioritization of dementia services, and (3) modifications to delivery and guidance required for compatibility with organizations and patients. CONCLUSION This study highlights likely challenges in scale-up if we are to make personalized dementia prevention widely available. This will only be possible with increased funding of dementia prevention activities; integrated care systems, with their focus on prevention, may enable this. Scale-up of dementia prevention programs will also require clear outlines of their core and adaptable components to fit funding, patient, and facilitator needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel M Morse
- Centre for Psychiatry and Mental Health, Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
| | - Iain Lang
- Department of Health and Community Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School , Exeter, UK
- UK National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula (NIHR PenARC), Exeter , UK
| | - Penny Rapaport
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Michaela Poppe
- Centre for Psychiatry and Mental Health, Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Sarah Morgan-Trimmer
- Department of Health and Community Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School , Exeter, UK
| | - Claudia Cooper
- Centre for Psychiatry and Mental Health, Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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Perez H, Miguel Cruz A, Neubauer N, Daum C, Comeau AK, Marshall SD, Letts E, Liu L. Risk Factors Associated with Missing Incidents among Persons Living with Dementia: A Scoping Review. Can J Aging 2024:1-15. [PMID: 38297497 DOI: 10.1017/s0714980823000776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Worldwide, over 55-million people have dementia, and the number will triple by 2050. Persons living with dementia are exposed to risks secondary to cognitive challenges including getting lost. The adverse outcomes of going missing include injuries, death, and premature institutionalization. In this scoping review, we investigate risk factors associated with going missing among persons living with dementia. We searched and screened studies from four electronic databases (Medline, CINAHL, Embase, and Scopus), and extracted relevant data. We identified 3,376 articles, of which 73 met the inclusion criteria. Most studies used quantitative research methods. We identified 27 variables grouped into three risk factor domains: (a) demographics and personal characteristics, (b) health conditions and symptoms, and (c) environmental and contextual antecedents. Identification of risk factors associated with getting lost helps to anticipate missing incidents. Risk factors can be paired with proactive strategies to prevent incidents and inform policies to create safer communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hector Perez
- Faculty of Health, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Antonio Miguel Cruz
- Faculty of Health, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
- Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Glenrose Rehabilitation Research, Innovation & Technology (GRRIT) Hub, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | | | - Christine Daum
- Faculty of Health, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
- Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Aidan K Comeau
- Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | | | - Elyse Letts
- Faculty of Health, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
- Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Lili Liu
- Faculty of Health, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
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Brandt A, Kromm F, Hernández-Arriaga A, Martínez Sánchez I, Bozkir HÖ, Staltner R, Baumann A, Camarinha-Silva A, Heijtz RD, Bergheim I. Cognitive Alterations in Old Mice Are Associated with Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction and Induced Toll-like Receptor 2 and 4 Signaling in Different Brain Regions. Cells 2023; 12:2153. [PMID: 37681885 PMCID: PMC10486476 DOI: 10.3390/cells12172153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence implicate the 'microbiota-gut-brain axis' in cognitive aging and neuroinflammation; however, underlying mechanisms still remain to be elucidated. Here, we assessed if potential alterations in intestinal barrier function and microbiota composition as well as levels of two key pattern-recognition receptors namely Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and TLR4, in blood and different brain regions, and depending signaling cascades are paralleling aging associated alterations of cognition in healthy aging mice. Cognitive function was assessed in the Y-maze and intestinal and brain tissue and blood were collected in young (4 months old) and old (24 months old) male C57BL/6 mice to determine intestinal microbiota composition by Illumina amplicon sequencing, the concentration of TLR2 and TLR4 ligands in plasma and brain tissue as well as to determine markers of intestinal barrier function, senescence and TLR2 and TLR4 signaling. Cognitive function was significantly impaired in old mice. Also, in old mice, intestinal microbiota composition was significantly altered, while the relative abundance of Gram-negative or Gram-positive bacteria in the small and large intestines at different ages was not altered. Moreover, intestinal barrier function was impaired in small intestine of old mice, and the levels of TLR2 and TLR4 ligands were also significantly higher in both portal and peripheral blood. Furthermore, levels of TLR2 and TLR4 ligands, and downstream markers of TLR signaling were higher in the hippocampal and prefrontal cortex of old mice compared to young animals. Taken together, our results suggest that even in 'healthy' aging, cognitive function is impaired in mice going along with an increased intestinal translocation of TLR ligands and alterations of TLR signaling in several brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Brandt
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Molecular Nutritional Science, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Franziska Kromm
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Molecular Nutritional Science, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Angélica Hernández-Arriaga
- Animal Nutrition Department, Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Inés Martínez Sánchez
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Biomedicum, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Haktan Övül Bozkir
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Molecular Nutritional Science, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Raphaela Staltner
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Molecular Nutritional Science, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Anja Baumann
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Molecular Nutritional Science, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Amélia Camarinha-Silva
- Animal Nutrition Department, Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Rochellys Diaz Heijtz
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Biomedicum, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ina Bergheim
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Molecular Nutritional Science, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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Wang S, de Almeida Mello J, S. Mittelman M, Declercq A. Feasibility, acceptability and potential helpfulness of the PROACTIVE intervention in Flanders, Belgium: A survey study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0289952. [PMID: 37561750 PMCID: PMC10414657 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES This study aimed to explore the feasibility of a Flemish adaptation of the New York University Caregiver Intervention (i.e., PROACTIVE intervention) modifying the recruitment and intervention content for informal caregivers of people with early cognitive decline, and across different subgroups. A feasibility study is necessary in order to reduce research waste for intervention adaptation and evaluation. METHODS Researchers constructed, tested, and sent out a survey consisting of 43 questions on the following topics: awareness of symptoms of early cognitive decline, levels of cognitive performance using the updated Cognitive Performance Scale (CPS2), acceptability, and potential helpfulness of the intervention, and sociodemographic characteristics. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression with SAS 9.4©. Qualitative data were analyzed using an inductive content analysis. RESULTS A total of 463 informal caregivers completed the survey (mean age 58.8 ± 11.8, 83.6% female). Among them, 230 respondents who cared for people with cognitive decline indicated they would probably or certainly participate in the study. Identified factors influencing the recruitment were cognition, co-habitation, education, and employment status. Over half of the target caregivers indicated almost all services from the intervention could satisfy their needs. A majority perceived the PROACTIVE intervention would be helpful (69.4%), especially the CPS2 = 3 (76.1%) and CPS2 = 4 (74.1%) subgroups. CONCLUSION The recruitment of target participants for a subsequent RCT evaluation study is feasible, and identified associated factors should be considered during the recruitment process. The PROACTIVE intervention and core components except 'peer-group participation' were perceived as helpful by most caregivers. The CPS2 = 3-4 subgroups were most accepting of the intervention and were most likely to benefit from the intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Wang
- LUCAS–Centre for Care Research & Consultancy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johanna de Almeida Mello
- LUCAS–Centre for Care Research & Consultancy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Oral Health Sciences, Research Group Population Studies in Oral Health, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mary S. Mittelman
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Anja Declercq
- LUCAS–Centre for Care Research & Consultancy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- CeSO—Centre for Sociological Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Macoir J, Tremblay P, Hudon C. The Use of Executive Fluency Tasks to Detect Cognitive Impairment in Individuals with Subjective Cognitive Decline. Behav Sci (Basel) 2022; 12:491. [PMID: 36546974 PMCID: PMC9774264 DOI: 10.3390/bs12120491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although evidence has indicated that subjective cognitive decline (SCD) may be an early sign of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the objectification of cognitive impairment in SCD is challenging, mainly due to the lack of sensitivity in assessment tools. The present study investigated the potential contribution of two verbal fluency tasks with high executive processing loads to the identification of cognitive impairment in SCD. METHODS A total of 60 adults with SCD and 60 healthy controls (HCs) performed one free action (verb) fluency task and two fluency tasks with more executive processing load-an alternating fluency task and an orthographic constraint fluency task-and the results were compared. RESULT In the free action fluency task, the performance of the participants with SCD and the HCs was similar. However, HCs performed significantly better than SCD in the alternating fluency task, which required mental flexibility, and the orthographic constraint fluency task, which required inhibition. DISCUSSION The study findings suggest that verbal fluency tasks with high executive processing load could be useful in detecting cognitive deficits at the preclinical stage of AD. The inclusion of such tests in assessment batteries should be considered in order to improve the detection of subtle cognitive impairment in preclinical major neurocognitive disorder populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joël Macoir
- Faculté de Médecine, Département de Réadaptation, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Centre de Recherche CERVO—Brain Research Centre, Québec, QC G1J 2G3, Canada
| | - Pascale Tremblay
- Faculté de Médecine, Département de Réadaptation, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Centre de Recherche CERVO—Brain Research Centre, Québec, QC G1J 2G3, Canada
| | - Carol Hudon
- Centre de Recherche CERVO—Brain Research Centre, Québec, QC G1J 2G3, Canada
- Faculté des Sciences Sociales, École de Psychologie, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Centre de Recherche VITAM, Québec, QC G1J 2G1, Canada
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Alpha lipoic acid reverses scopolamine-induced spatial memory loss and pyramidal cell neurodegeneration in the prefrontal cortex of Wistar Rats. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2022; 13:1-8. [PMID: 35664083 PMCID: PMC9157193 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2022.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders are linked to oxidative tissue damage characterized by gradual loss of cognitive functions and neuronal cells. Alpha-lipoic acid (AHA) has a strong antioxidant property. Scopolamine is an anti-muscarinic agent used to study the mechanism of memory loss in an animal model. This study is aimed at evaluating the antioxidant role of alpha lipoic acid in reversing scopolamine induced memory loss and neurodegenerative process in the prefrontal cortex of Wistar rats. Twenty adult male Wistar rats used were divided into four groups (n = 5): Group 1 received vehicle (Control), Group 2 had scopolamine (1 mg/kg, i.p) for 4 days, Group 3 received AHA (200 mg/kg, p.o) for 10 days while Group 4 were pretreated with scopolamine (1 mg/kg, i.p) for 4 days followed by oral administration of 200 mg/kg of AHA for 10 days. The rats were subjected to Y-maze test to assess their spatial memory. The rats were euthanized, the prefrontal area was excised and fixed in 10% formol-calcium and processed for Haematoxylin and Eosin, Cresyl fast violet for Nissl Bodies (Ribosome), and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) stains. Scopolamine caused a significant decline in spatial working memory, prefrontal neuron cell loss, and increased proliferation of reactive astrocytes (astrogliosis) when compared with the control and AHA treated group. AHA process of reversing scopolamine-induced memory deficit, prefrontal neuron cell loss, and generation of reactive astrocytes (astrogliosis) is mediated by its antioxidant mediated positive modulation of astrocyte-neuronal interaction during neuroinflammation in response to oxidative tissue damage.
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