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Bramich S, Noyce AJ, King AE, Naismith SL, Kuruvilla MV, Lewis SJG, Roccati E, Bindoff AD, Barnham KJ, Beauchamp LC, Vickers JC, Pérez-Carbonell L, Alty J. Isolated rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder (iRBD) in the Island Study Linking Ageing and Neurodegenerative Disease (ISLAND) Sleep Study: protocol and baseline characteristics. J Sleep Res 2024; 33:e14109. [PMID: 38014898 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.14109] [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: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Isolated rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder (iRBD) is a sleep disorder that is characterised by dream enactment episodes during REM sleep. It is the strongest known predictor of α-synuclein-related neurodegenerative disease (αNDD), such that >80% of people with iRBD will eventually develop Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, or multiple system atrophy in later life. More research is needed to understand the trajectory of phenoconversion to each αNDD. Only five 'gold standard' prevalence studies of iRBD in older adults have been undertaken previously, with estimates ranging from 0.74% to 2.01%. The diagnostic recommendations for video-polysomnography (vPSG) to confirm iRBD makes prevalence studies challenging, as vPSG is often unavailable to large cohorts. In Australia, there have been no iRBD prevalence studies, and little is known about the cognitive and motor profiles of Australian people with iRBD. The Island Study Linking Ageing and Neurodegenerative Disease (ISLAND) Sleep Study will investigate the prevalence of iRBD in Tasmania, an island state of Australia, using validated questionnaires and home-based vPSG. It will also explore several cognitive, motor, olfactory, autonomic, visual, tactile, and sleep profiles in people with iRBD to better understand which characteristics influence the progression of iRBD to αNDD. This paper details the ISLAND Sleep Study protocol and presents preliminary baseline results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Bramich
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Alastair J Noyce
- Centre for Preventive Neurology, Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University, London, UK
| | - Anna E King
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Sharon L Naismith
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | | | - Simon J G Lewis
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Eddy Roccati
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Aidan D Bindoff
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Kevin J Barnham
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Leah C Beauchamp
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James C Vickers
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Laura Pérez-Carbonell
- Centre for Preventive Neurology, Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University, London, UK
- Sleep Disorders Centre, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Jane Alty
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Australia
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2
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Alty J, Goldberg LR, Roccati E, Lawler K, Bai Q, Huang G, Bindoff AD, Li R, Wang X, St George RJ, Rudd K, Bartlett L, Collins JM, Aiyede M, Fernando N, Bhagwat A, Giffard J, Salmon K, McDonald S, King AE, Vickers JC. Development of a smartphone screening test for preclinical Alzheimer's disease and validation across the dementia continuum. BMC Neurol 2024; 24:127. [PMID: 38627686 PMCID: PMC11020184 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-024-03609-z] [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: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dementia prevalence is predicted to triple to 152 million globally by 2050. Alzheimer's disease (AD) constitutes 70% of cases. There is an urgent need to identify individuals with preclinical AD, a 10-20-year period of progressive brain pathology without noticeable cognitive symptoms, for targeted risk reduction. Current tests of AD pathology are either too invasive, specialised or expensive for population-level assessments. Cognitive tests are normal in preclinical AD. Emerging evidence demonstrates that movement analysis is sensitive to AD across the disease continuum, including preclinical AD. Our new smartphone test, TapTalk, combines analysis of hand and speech-like movements to detect AD risk. This study aims to [1] determine which combinations of hand-speech movement data most accurately predict preclinical AD [2], determine usability, reliability, and validity of TapTalk in cognitively asymptomatic older adults and [3], prospectively validate TapTalk in older adults who have cognitive symptoms against cognitive tests and clinical diagnoses of Mild Cognitive Impairment and AD dementia. METHODS Aim 1 will be addressed in a cross-sectional study of at least 500 cognitively asymptomatic older adults who will complete computerised tests comprising measures of hand motor control (finger tapping) and oro-motor control (syllabic diadochokinesis). So far, 1382 adults, mean (SD) age 66.20 (7.65) years, range 50-92 (72.07% female) have been recruited. Motor measures will be compared to a blood-based AD biomarker, phosphorylated tau 181 to develop an algorithm that classifies preclinical AD risk. Aim 2 comprises three sub-studies in cognitively asymptomatic adults: (i) a cross-sectional study of 30-40 adults to determine the validity of data collection from different types of smartphones, (ii) a prospective cohort study of 50-100 adults ≥ 50 years old to determine usability and test-retest reliability, and (iii) a prospective cohort study of ~1,000 adults ≥ 50 years old to validate against cognitive measures. Aim 3 will be addressed in a cross-sectional study of ~200 participants with cognitive symptoms to validate TapTalk against Montreal Cognitive Assessment and interdisciplinary consensus diagnosis. DISCUSSION This study will establish the precision of TapTalk to identify preclinical AD and estimate risk of cognitive decline. If accurate, this innovative smartphone app will enable low-cost, accessible screening of individuals for AD risk. This will have wide applications in public health initiatives and clinical trials. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06114914, 29 October 2023. Retrospectively registered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Alty
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia.
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia.
- Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia.
| | - Lynette R Goldberg
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - Eddy Roccati
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - Katherine Lawler
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
- School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Quan Bai
- School of Information and Communication Technology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7005, Australia
| | - Guan Huang
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - Aidan D Bindoff
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - Renjie Li
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
- School of Information and Communication Technology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7005, Australia
| | - Xinyi Wang
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - Rebecca J St George
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7005, Australia
| | - Kaylee Rudd
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - Larissa Bartlett
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - Jessica M Collins
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - Mimieveshiofuo Aiyede
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | | | - Anju Bhagwat
- Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - Julia Giffard
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - Katharine Salmon
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
- Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - Scott McDonald
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - Anna E King
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - James C Vickers
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
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Hamrah MS, Bartlett L, Kitsos A, Vickers JC. Gender differences in modifiable dementia risk factors in monolingual and bilingual Australian adults. Health Promot J Austr 2024; 35:371-375. [PMID: 37331448 DOI: 10.1002/hpja.761] [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: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
ISSUE ADDRESSED Gender and bilingualism are reported to influence the risk of dementia. This study examined the prevalence of self-reported modifiable dementia risk factors by gender in two samples: one that speaks at least one language other than English (LoE) and one that speaks only English. METHODS A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of Australian residents aged 50 years or over (n = 4339). Participant characteristics and dementia risk behaviours were inspected using descriptive statistics in data collected via online surveys between October 2020 and November 2021. RESULTS In both samples, men had a higher rate than women of being overweight and were classified more frequently as being at risk of dementia due to alcohol consumption, lower cognitive activity, and non-adherence to the Mediterranean-style diet. Men reported better management of their cardiometabolic health than women across both groups. Non-significant trends showed men were more often smokers but more physically active than women in the LoE group, and less often smokers but less physically active than women in the English-only group. CONCLUSION This study found men and women reported similar patterns of dementia risk behaviours regardless of LoE or English-only status. SO WHAT?: Gender differences in risk behaviours prevail regardless of language-speaking status. The results can be used to guide future research aiming to understand and reduce modifiable dementia risk in Australia and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Shoaib Hamrah
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Larissa Bartlett
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Alex Kitsos
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - James C Vickers
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
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Li R, Wang X, Lawler K, Garg S, St George RJ, Bindoff AD, Bartlett L, Roccati E, King AE, Vickers JC, Bai Q, Alty J. Brief webcam test of hand movements predicts episodic memory, executive function, and working memory in a community sample of cognitively asymptomatic older adults. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2024; 16:e12520. [PMID: 38274411 PMCID: PMC10809289 DOI: 10.1002/dad2.12520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Low-cost simple tests for preclinical Alzheimer's disease are a research priority. We evaluated whether remote unsupervised webcam recordings of finger-tapping were associated with cognitive performance in older adults. METHODS A total of 404 cognitively-asymptomatic participants (64.6 [6.77] years; 70.8% female) completed 10-second finger-tapping tests (Tasmanian [TAS] Test) and cognitive tests (Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery [CANTAB]) online at home. Regression models including hand movement features were compared with null models (comprising age, sex, and education level); change in Akaike Information Criterion greater than 2 (ΔAIC > 2) denoted statistical difference. RESULTS Hand movement features improved prediction of episodic memory, executive function, and working memory scores (ΔAIC > 2). Dominant hand features outperformed nondominant hand features for episodic memory (ΔAIC = 2.5), executive function (ΔAIC = 4.8), and working memory (ΔAIC = 2.2). DISCUSSION This brief webcam test improved prediction of cognitive performance compared to age, sex, and education. Finger-tapping holds potential as a remote language-agnostic screening tool to stratify community cohorts at risk for cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renjie Li
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education CentreUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
- School of ICTUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Xinyi Wang
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education CentreUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Katherine Lawler
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education CentreUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
- School of Allied HealthHuman Services and SportLa Trobe UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Saurabh Garg
- School of ICTUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | | | - Aidan D. Bindoff
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education CentreUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Larissa Bartlett
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education CentreUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Eddy Roccati
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education CentreUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Anna E. King
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education CentreUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - James C. Vickers
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education CentreUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Quan Bai
- School of ICTUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Jane Alty
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education CentreUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
- School of MedicineUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
- Neurology DepartmentRoyal Hobart HospitalHobartTasmaniaAustralia
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Wang X, St George RJ, Bindoff AD, Noyce AJ, Lawler K, Roccati E, Bartlett L, Tran SN, Vickers JC, Bai Q, Alty J. Estimating presymptomatic episodic memory impairment using simple hand movement tests: A cross-sectional study of a large sample of older adults. Alzheimers Dement 2024; 20:173-182. [PMID: 37519032 PMCID: PMC10916999 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13401] [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: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Finding low-cost methods to detect early-stage Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a research priority for neuroprotective drug development. Presymptomatic Alzheimer's is associated with gait impairment but hand motor tests, which are more accessible, have hardly been investigated. This study evaluated how home-based Tasmanian (TAS) Test keyboard tapping tests predict episodic memory performance. METHODS 1169 community participants (65.8 ± 7.4 years old; 73% female) without cognitive symptoms completed online single-key and alternate-key tapping tests and episodic memory, working memory, and executive function cognitive tests. RESULTS All single-key (R2 adj = 8.8%, ΔAIC = 5.2) and alternate-key (R2 adj = 9.1%, ΔAIC = 8.8) motor features predicted episodic memory performance relative to demographic and mood confounders only (R2 adj = 8.1%). No tapping features improved estimation of working memory. DISCUSSION Brief self-administered online hand movement tests predict asymptomatic episodic memory impairment. This provides a potential low-cost home-based method for stratification of enriched cohorts. HIGHLIGHTS We devised two brief online keyboard tapping tests to assess hand motor function. 1169 cognitively asymptomatic adults completed motor- and cognitive tests online. Impaired hand motor function predicted reduced episodic memory performance. This brief self-administered test may aid stratification of community cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Wang
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education CentreUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Rebecca J. St George
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education CentreUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
- School of Psychological SciencesUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Aidan D. Bindoff
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education CentreUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Alastair J. Noyce
- Preventive Neurology Unit, Wolfson Institute of Population HealthQueen Mary University of LondonLondonUK
| | - Katherine Lawler
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education CentreUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
- School of Allied Health, Human Services and SportLa Trobe UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Eddy Roccati
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education CentreUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Larissa Bartlett
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education CentreUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Son N. Tran
- School of ICTUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
- School of Information TechnologyDeakin UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - James C. Vickers
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education CentreUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Quan Bai
- School of ICTUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Jane Alty
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education CentreUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
- School of MedicineUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
- Neurology DepartmentRoyal Hobart HospitalHobartTasmaniaAustralia
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Roccati E, Collins JM, Bindoff AD, Alty JE, Bartlett L, King AE, Vickers JC. Modifiable risk factors for dementia, cognition, and plasma phosphorylated tau 181 in a large-scale cohort of Australian older adults. Neurobiol Aging 2023; 131:106-114. [PMID: 37603931 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2023.06.018] [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: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is preceded by years of silent pathological change. Our objective was to examine the associations between modifiable dementia risk factors, cognition, and plasma phosphorylated p-tau 181, a hallmark biomarker of AD in a large-scale community cohort. Participants (n = 738, mean age 65.41 years) from the Island Study Linking Ageing and Neurodegenerative Disease responded to online assessments collecting demographics, adherence to dementia risk factors and cognitive function, and provided a blood sample for analysis. We found less education was significantly associated with lower cognitive scores. Modifiable dementia risk factors were not associated with plasma p-tau 181. Further, we did not observe any significant relationships between plasma p-tau 181 and cognition. Nonmodifiable factors such as age, education, sex, and apolipoprotein E epsilon 4 displayed significant associations with cognition and plasma p-tau 181. In a cognitively healthy community cohort of Tasmanian Australians, we did not observe any associations between modifiable risk factors for dementia and plasma p-tau 181. Nonmodifiable risk factors were associated with both cognition and plasma p-tau. This contributes to a growing body of evidence investigating confounding factors in the interpretation of blood-based biomarkers for dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eddy Roccati
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
| | - Jessica Marie Collins
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Aidan David Bindoff
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Jane Elizabeth Alty
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia; Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Larissa Bartlett
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Anna Elizabeth King
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - James Clement Vickers
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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Yitbarek GY, Alty J, Lawler K, Goldberg LR. Current evidence on the association of tongue strength with cognitive decline in older adults and the known risk factors of frailty, sarcopenia and nutritional health: a scoping review protocol. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e076005. [PMID: 37898485 PMCID: PMC10619116 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-076005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/30/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Evidence suggests that the pathology underlying cognitive decline leading to dementia begins 15-20 years before cognitive symptoms emerge. Thus, identifying biomarkers in this preclinical phase is critically important. Age-related decrease in muscle mass and strength, a known risk factor for sarcopenia, frailty and cognitive decline, also affects the tongue. This paper describes an a priori protocol by a multidisciplinary team to address the following questions relating to adults ≥50 years of age: (1) What is the current evidence on the association of tongue strength with cognitive decline? (2) How does tongue strength associate with frailty and sarcopenia? (3) What is the association of tongue strength with nutritional health? METHODS AND ANALYSIS Search terms will be identified then multiple electronic databases (PubMed, PsycINFO (Ovid), Scopus, Embase (Ovid), CINAHL and Web of Science) searched systematically for peer-reviewed articles published in English that address the following inclusion criteria: (1) human studies, (2) participants ≥50 years of age and (3) studies with tongue pressure values measured in relation to at least one of the following: frailty, sarcopenia, nutritional health, cognitive function and dementia (Alzheimer's, vascular, frontotemporal and Lewy body). Grey literature also will be searched to identify additional studies, clinical trials and policy papers appropriate for inclusion. The search will be from database inception. After removing duplicates, two research team members will independently screen abstracts and identify articles for full-text review. The team will use a data charting tool for data extraction. Data will be analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The scoping review does not require ethics approval as data will be from publicly available sources. Results will be disseminated in workshops and conferences and a peer-reviewed journal paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Getachew Yideg Yitbarek
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- Biomedical Sciences Department (Medical Physiology Unit), College of Medicine and Health Science, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
| | - Jane Alty
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- Neurology Department, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Katherine Lawler
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lynette Ruth Goldberg
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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Bartlett L, Bindoff A, Doherty K, Kim S, Eccleston C, Kitsos A, Roccati E, Alty J, King AE, Vickers JC. An online, public health framework supporting behaviour change to reduce dementia risk: interim results from the ISLAND study linking ageing and neurodegenerative disease. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1886. [PMID: 37773122 PMCID: PMC10542675 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16805-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Unmanaged cardiometabolic health, low physical and cognitive activity, poor diet, obesity, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are modifiable health risk factors for dementia and public health approaches to dementia prevention have been called for. The Island Study Linking Ageing and Neurodegenerative Disease (ISLAND) is a dementia prevention public health study examining whether improving knowledge about modifiable dementia risk factors supports behaviour changes that reduce future dementia risk. METHODS Residents of Tasmania, Australia, aged 50 + years who joined the 10-year ISLAND study were asked to complete annual online surveys about their knowledge, motivations and behaviours related to modifiable dementia risk. ISLAND included two knowledge-based interventions: a personalised Dementia Risk Profile (DRP) report based on survey responses, and the option to do a 4-week Preventing Dementia Massive Open Online Course (PDMOOC). Longitudinal regression models assessed changes in the number and type of risk factors, with effects moderated by exposures to the DRP report and engagement with the PDMOOC. Knowledge and motivational factors related to dementia risk were examined as mediators of risk behaviour change. RESULTS Data collected between October 2019 and October 2022 (n = 3038, av. 63.7 years, 71.6% female) showed the mean number of modifiable dementia risk factors per participant (range 0 to 9) reduced from 2.17 (SD 1.24) to 1.66 (SD 1.11). This change was associated with the number of exposures to the DRP report (p = .042) and was stronger for PDMOOC participants (p = .001). The interaction between DRP and PDMOOC exposures yielded a significant improvement in risk scores (p = .004). The effect of PDMOOC engagement on behaviour change was partly mediated by increased knowledge (12%, p = .013). Self-efficacy enhanced the effect of knowledge on behaviour change, while perceived susceptibility to dementia mitigated this relationship. CONCLUSIONS The ISLAND framework and interventions, a personalised DRP report and the four-week PDMOOC, work independently and synergistically to increase dementia risk knowledge and stimulate health behaviour change for dementia risk reduction. ISLAND offers a feasible and scalable public health approach for redressing the rising prevalence of dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Bartlett
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia.
| | - Aidan Bindoff
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Kathleen Doherty
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Sarang Kim
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Canberra, Australia
| | - Claire Eccleston
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Alex Kitsos
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Eddy Roccati
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Jane Alty
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Anna E King
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - James C Vickers
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia.
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Alty J, Lawler K, Salmon K, McDonald S, Stuart K, Cleary A, Ma J, Rudd K, Wang X, Chiranakorn-Costa S, Collins J, Merl H, Lin X, Vickers JC. A new one-stop interdisciplinary cognitive clinic model tackles rural health inequality and halves the time to diagnosis: Benchmarked against a national dementia registry. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2023; 38:e5988. [PMID: 37592719 DOI: 10.1002/gps.5988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Unequal access to cognitive assessments is a major barrier to timely diagnosis, especially for those living in rural or remote areas. 'One-stop' cognitive clinic models are a proposed solution, but few such clinics exist. We evaluate the implementation of a new one-stop State-wide clinic model in Tasmania, Australia, where 27% of people live in rural/remote areas. METHODS A novel single-visit protocol has been developed, comprising interdisciplinary medical and cognitive assessments, research participation, consensus diagnosis and management plan. A cross-sectional evaluation was undertaken using the RE-AIM (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, maintenance) framework and results benchmarked against the national Australian Dementia Network Registry. RESULTS Over the first 52 consecutive weekly clinics: Reach: 130 adults were assessed (mean age [SD] 70.12 years [10.31]; 59.2% female) with 40 (36.8%) from rural/remote areas. EFFECTIVENESS 98.5% (128/130) received a same-day diagnosis: 30.1% (n = 40) Subjective Cognitive Decline, 35.4% (46) Mild Cognitive Impairment, 33.1% (43) dementia and one case inconclusive. Adoption: 22.9% (156) of General Practitioners referred patients. IMPLEMENTATION Nearly all 'ideal' diagnostic clinical practices were met and >90% of surveyed patients reported 'good/very good' clinic experience. The wait from referral to diagnosis was 2 months shorter than other national Registry clinics (78 vs. 133 days). CONCLUSIONS This 'one-stop' model provides an interdisciplinary consensus cognitive diagnosis quickly and is well accepted; this may reduce health inequities especially for people living in rural/remote areas. This cognitive clinic model may be of relevance to other centres worldwide and also provides a rich data source for research studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Alty
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
- Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Katherine Lawler
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
- School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katharine Salmon
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Scott McDonald
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
- Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Australia
| | - Kimberley Stuart
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Alison Cleary
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
- Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Australia
| | - Jak Ma
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
- I-Med Radiology Network Hobart, Hobart, Australia
| | - Kaylee Rudd
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Xinyi Wang
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
| | | | - Jessica Collins
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Helga Merl
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Xiaoping Lin
- Monash University, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Melbourne, Australia
| | - James C Vickers
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
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Huang G, Tran SN, Bai Q, Alty J. Real-time automated detection of older adults' hand gestures in home and clinical settings. Neural Comput Appl 2022; 35:8143-8156. [PMID: 36532882 PMCID: PMC9741488 DOI: 10.1007/s00521-022-08090-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
There is an urgent need, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, for methods that allow clinicians and neuroscientists to remotely evaluate hand movements. This would help detect and monitor degenerative brain disorders that are particularly prevalent in older adults. With the wide accessibility of computer cameras, a vision-based real-time hand gesture detection method would facilitate online assessments in home and clinical settings. However, motion blur is one of the most challenging problems in the fast-moving hands data collection. The objective of this study was to develop a computer vision-based method that accurately detects older adults' hand gestures using video data collected in real-life settings. We invited adults over 50 years old to complete validated hand movement tests (fast finger tapping and hand opening-closing) at home or in clinic. Data were collected without researcher supervision via a website programme using standard laptop and desktop cameras. We processed and labelled images, split the data into training, validation and testing, respectively, and then analysed how well different network structures detected hand gestures. We recruited 1,900 adults (age range 50-90 years) as part of the TAS Test project and developed UTAS7k-a new dataset of 7071 hand gesture images, split 4:1 into clear: motion-blurred images. Our new network, RGRNet, achieved 0.782 mean average precision (mAP) on clear images, outperforming the state-of-the-art network structure (YOLOV5-P6, mAP 0.776), and mAP 0.771 on blurred images. A new robust real-time automated network that detects static gestures from a single camera, RGRNet, and a new database comprising the largest range of individual hands, UTAS7k, both show strong potential for medical and research applications. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00521-022-08090-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guan Huang
- College of Sciences and Engineering, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, TAS 7005 Australia
| | - Son N. Tran
- College of Sciences and Engineering, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, TAS 7005 Australia
| | - Quan Bai
- College of Sciences and Engineering, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, TAS 7005 Australia
| | - Jane Alty
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000 Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000 Australia
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11
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Alty J, Bai Q, Li R, Lawler K, St George RJ, Hill E, Bindoff A, Garg S, Wang X, Huang G, Zhang K, Rudd KD, Bartlett L, Goldberg LR, Collins JM, Hinder MR, Naismith SL, Hogg DC, King AE, Vickers JC. The TAS Test project: a prospective longitudinal validation of new online motor-cognitive tests to detect preclinical Alzheimer's disease and estimate 5-year risks of cognitive decline and dementia. BMC Neurol 2022; 22:266. [PMID: 35850660 PMCID: PMC9289357 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-022-02772-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The worldwide prevalence of dementia is rapidly rising. Alzheimer's disease (AD), accounts for 70% of cases and has a 10-20-year preclinical period, when brain pathology covertly progresses before cognitive symptoms appear. The 2020 Lancet Commission estimates that 40% of dementia cases could be prevented by modifying lifestyle/medical risk factors. To optimise dementia prevention effectiveness, there is urgent need to identify individuals with preclinical AD for targeted risk reduction. Current preclinical AD tests are too invasive, specialist or costly for population-level assessments. We have developed a new online test, TAS Test, that assesses a range of motor-cognitive functions and has capacity to be delivered at significant scale. TAS Test combines two innovations: using hand movement analysis to detect preclinical AD, and computer-human interface technologies to enable robust 'self-testing' data collection. The aims are to validate TAS Test to [1] identify preclinical AD, and [2] predict risk of cognitive decline and AD dementia. METHODS Aim 1 will be addressed through a cross-sectional study of 500 cognitively healthy older adults, who will complete TAS Test items comprising measures of motor control, processing speed, attention, visuospatial ability, memory and language. TAS Test measures will be compared to a blood-based AD biomarker, phosphorylated tau 181 (p-tau181). Aim 2 will be addressed through a 5-year prospective cohort study of 10,000 older adults. Participants will complete TAS Test annually and subtests of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Battery (CANTAB) biennially. 300 participants will undergo in-person clinical assessments. We will use machine learning of motor-cognitive performance on TAS Test to develop an algorithm that classifies preclinical AD risk (p-tau181-defined) and determine the precision to prospectively estimate 5-year risks of cognitive decline and AD. DISCUSSION This study will establish the precision of TAS Test to identify preclinical AD and estimate risk of cognitive decline and AD. If accurate, TAS Test will provide a low-cost, accessible enrichment strategy to pre-screen individuals for their likelihood of AD pathology prior to more expensive tests such as blood or imaging biomarkers. This would have wide applications in public health initiatives and clinical trials. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05194787 , 18 January 2022. Retrospectively registered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Alty
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia. .,School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia. .,Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
| | - Quan Bai
- School of Information and Communication Technologies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Renjie Li
- School of Information and Communication Technologies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Katherine Lawler
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia.,Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Rebecca J St George
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia.,School of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Edward Hill
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Aidan Bindoff
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Saurabh Garg
- School of Information and Communication Technologies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Xinyi Wang
- School of Information and Communication Technologies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Guan Huang
- School of Information and Communication Technologies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Kaining Zhang
- School of Information and Communication Technologies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Kaylee D Rudd
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Larissa Bartlett
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Lynette R Goldberg
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Jessica M Collins
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Mark R Hinder
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Sharon L Naismith
- Healthy Brain Ageing Program, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - David C Hogg
- School of Computing, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Anna E King
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - James C Vickers
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
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12
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Costa S, St George RJ, McDonald JS, Wang X, Alty J. Diagnostic Accuracy of the Overlapping Infinity Loops, Wire Cube, and Clock Drawing Tests in Subjective Cognitive Decline, Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia. Geriatrics (Basel) 2022; 7:geriatrics7040072. [PMID: 35893319 PMCID: PMC9326726 DOI: 10.3390/geriatrics7040072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Figure drawing tasks are commonly used standalone or as part of broader screening tests to detect cognitive impairment. Only one study has compared the classification accuracy of three common drawing tasks—overlapping infinity loops, wire cube, and the clock drawing task (CDT)—in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia, but age and education, which impact performance, were not accounted for. We replicated the research, adjusting for age and education and, for the first time, assessed subjective cognitive decline (SCD) too. Participants were recruited from the Tasmanian ISLAND Cognitive Clinic and healthy controls from a community sample. All participants completed the three figure drawing tasks. The clinic patients were categorised according to interdisciplinary consensus diagnosis. Binomial logistic regression and area under ROC curves (AUC) were calculated to determine the discriminatory ability of each drawing task. Overall, 112 adults were recruited; 51 had normal cognition (NC), 21 SCD, 24 MCI, and 16 had dementia. The infinity loops test did not discriminate any of the groups, casting some doubt on its usefulness. The wire cube discriminated NC from dementia (AUC 0.7; p < 0.05). The CDT discriminated NC from dementia (AUC 0.77; p < 0.01), NC from cognitive impairment (dementia + MCI; AUC 0.59; p < 0.05), and MCI from dementia (AUC 0.76; p < 0.01). None of the tests discriminated NC from MCI or NC from SCD. The CDT was the most discriminatory test, followed by the wire cube. This may help guide clinicians who often choose just one figure drawing task due to time constraints or patient fatigue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigourney Costa
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7001, Australia;
| | - Rebecca J. St George
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7001, Australia; (R.J.S.G.); (J.S.M.); (X.W.)
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7005, Australia
| | - James Scott McDonald
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7001, Australia; (R.J.S.G.); (J.S.M.); (X.W.)
- Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart 7001, Australia
| | - Xinyi Wang
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7001, Australia; (R.J.S.G.); (J.S.M.); (X.W.)
| | - Jane Alty
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7001, Australia;
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7001, Australia; (R.J.S.G.); (J.S.M.); (X.W.)
- Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart 7001, Australia
- Correspondence:
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