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Bransby L, Yassi N, Rosenich E, Buckley R, Li QX, Maruff P, Pase M, Lim YY. Associations between multidomain modifiable dementia risk factors with AD biomarkers and cognition in middle-aged and older adults. Neurobiol Aging 2024; 138:63-71. [PMID: 38537555 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2024.02.015] [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: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to determine associations between modifiable dementia risk factors (MDRF), across domains mood symptomatology, lifestyle behaviors, cardiovascular conditions, cognitive/social engagement, sleep disorders/symptomatology, with cognition, beta-amyloid (Aβ) and tau, and brain volume. Middle-aged/older adults (n=82) enrolled in a sub-study of the Healthy Brain Project completed self-report questionnaires and a neuropsychological battery. Cerebrospinal fluid levels of Aβ 1-42, total tau (t-tau), and phosphorylated tau (p-tau181) (Roche Elecsys), and MRI markers of hippocampal volume and total brain volume were obtained. Participants were classified as no/single domain risk (≤1 domains) or multidomain risk (≥2 domains). Compared to the no/single domain risk group, the multidomain risk group performed worse on the Preclinical Alzheimer's Cognitive Composite (d=0.63, p=.005), and Executive Function (d=0.50, p=.016), and had increased p-tau181 (d=0.47, p=.042) and t-tau (d=0.54, p=.021). In middle-aged/older adults, multidomain MDRFs were related to increases in tau and worse cognition, but not Aβ or brain volume. Findings suggest that increases in AD biomarkers are apparent in midlife, particularly for individuals with greater burden, or variety of MDRFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Bransby
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nawaf Yassi
- Department of Medicine and Neurology, Melbourne Brain Centre at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Population Health and Immunity Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Emily Rosenich
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rachel Buckley
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Qiao-Xin Li
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul Maruff
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Cogstate Ltd., Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Matthew Pase
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yen Ying Lim
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
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Pipingas A, Murphy KJ, Davis CR, Itsiopoulos C, Kingsley M, Scholey A, Macpherson H, Segal L, Breckon J, Minihane AM, Meyer D, Ogden E, Dyer KA, Eversteyn E, Hardman RJ, Poorun K, Justice K, Hana M, Buckley JD, White D, Davison K, Clark JS, Bracci EL, Kennedy G. A Mediterranean Diet and Walking Intervention to Reduce Cognitive Decline and Dementia Risk in Independently Living Older Australians: The MedWalk Randomized Controlled Trial Experimental Protocol, Including COVID-19 Related Modifications and Baseline Characteristics. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 96:409-427. [PMID: 37781806 PMCID: PMC10657681 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230641] [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: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several clinical trials have examined diet and physical activity lifestyle changes as mitigation strategies for risk factors linked to cognitive decline and dementias such as Alzheimer's disease. However, the ability to modify these behaviors longer term, to impact cognitive health has remained elusive. OBJECTIVE The MedWalk trial's primary aim is to investigate whether longer-term adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet and regular walking, delivered through motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral therapy (MI-CBT), can reduce age-associated cognitive decline and other dementia risk factors in older, independently living individuals without cognitive impairment. METHODS MedWalk, a one-year cluster-randomized controlled trial across two Australian states, recruited 60-90-year-old people from independent living retirement villages and the wider community. Participants were assigned to either the MedWalk intervention or a control group (maintaining their usual diet and physical activity). The primary outcome is 12-month change in visual memory and learning assessed from errors on the Paired Associates Learning Task of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery. Secondary outcomes include cognition, mood, cardiovascular function, biomarkers related to nutrient status and cognitive decline, MI-CBT effectiveness, Mediterranean diet adherence, physical activity, quality of life, cost-effectiveness, and health economic evaluation.Progress and Discussion:Although COVID-19 impacts over two years necessitated a reduced timeline and sample size, MedWalk retains sufficient power to address its aims and hypotheses. Baseline testing has been completed with 157 participants, who will be followed over 12 months. If successful, MedWalk will inform interventions that could substantially reduce dementia incidence and ameliorate cognitive decline in the community. TRIAL REGISTRATION Registered on the Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ANZCTR 12620000978965 (https://www.anzctr.org.au).
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Pipingas
- Centre for Mental Health and Brain Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
| | - Karen J. Murphy
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), UniSA Allied Health and Human Performance & UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Courtney R. Davis
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), UniSA Allied Health and Human Performance & UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | | | - Michael Kingsley
- Department of Exercise Sciences, The University of Auckland, Newmarket, New Zealand
- Holsworth Research Initiative, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew Scholey
- Centre for Mental Health and Brain Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
- Nutrition Dietetics and Food, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Notting Hill, VIC, Australia
| | - Helen Macpherson
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia
| | - Leonie Segal
- Economics and Social Policy Group, Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Jeff Breckon
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK
| | | | - Denny Meyer
- Centre for Mental Health and Brain Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
| | - Edward Ogden
- Centre for Mental Health and Brain Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
| | - Kathryn A. Dyer
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), UniSA Allied Health and Human Performance & UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Emily Eversteyn
- Centre for Mental Health and Brain Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
| | - Roy J. Hardman
- Centre for Mental Health and Brain Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
| | - Kaylass Poorun
- Centre for Mental Health and Brain Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
| | - Keri Justice
- Centre for Mental Health and Brain Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
| | - Maher Hana
- Centre for Mental Health and Brain Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
| | - Jonathan D. Buckley
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), UniSA Allied Health and Human Performance & UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - David White
- Centre for Mental Health and Brain Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
| | - Kade Davison
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), UniSA Allied Health and Human Performance & UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Jessie S. Clark
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), UniSA Allied Health and Human Performance & UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Ella L. Bracci
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), UniSA Allied Health and Human Performance & UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Greg Kennedy
- Centre for Mental Health and Brain Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
| | - on behalf of MedWalk collaborative team
- Centre for Mental Health and Brain Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), UniSA Allied Health and Human Performance & UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
- Department of Exercise Sciences, The University of Auckland, Newmarket, New Zealand
- Holsworth Research Initiative, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC, Australia
- Nutrition Dietetics and Food, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Notting Hill, VIC, Australia
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia
- Economics and Social Policy Group, Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
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Ayton D, Pirotta S, Morello R, Rosenich E, Barton C, Lavale A, Pase MP, Maruff P, Yassi N, Brodtmann A, Lim YY, Barker A. Protocol for a Mixed-Methods Process Evaluation of BetterBrains: A Person-Centered Online Intervention to Delay Cognitive Decline in Adults at Risk of Dementia. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 90:1689-1703. [PMID: 36314199 DOI: 10.3233/jad-220341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The BetterBrains Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) will evaluate the effectiveness of an online, person-centered, risk factor management, coaching intervention in community-dwelling, healthy adults at risk of cognitive decline. Multi-component interventions are challenging to evaluate due to program complexity and personalization to individual needs and contexts. This paper describes a multi-level process evaluation conducted alongside the BetterBrains RCT. OBJECTIVE To understand how and why the BetterBrains intervention was effective or ineffective at reducing cognitive decline in healthy adults whilst considering the context in which it was implemented. METHODS 1,510 non cognitively-deteriorated community-dwelling adults aged 40-70 years old at risk of cognitive decline will be recruited and randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. All BetterBrains intervention participants, coaches, and the research team will be included in the evaluation. A mixed-methods design will be used, guided by The Framework for Implementation Fidelity and the program logic model. Data will be sourced from interviews, focus groups, surveys, BetterBrains coach notes, participant weekly check-in surveys, and audio recordings of intervention coaching sessions. Quantitative data will be analyzed via descriptive and inferential statistics and qualitative data will be analyzed using content and thematic analysis. RESULTS The process evaluation will provide information about contextual and influencing factors related to the implementation of BetterBrains and the RCT outcomes. CONCLUSION Understanding how BetterBrains was implemented and its associated impacts will inform the translation of the program into community and clinical settings, providing easy access to online, personalized dementia prevention services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darshini Ayton
- Health and Social Care Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Stephanie Pirotta
- Health and Social Care Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Renata Morello
- Health and Social Care Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Emily Rosenich
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Chris Barton
- Department of General Practice, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Alexandra Lavale
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Matthew P Pase
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Paul Maruff
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Cogstate Ltd., Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nawaf Yassi
- Department of Medicine and Neurology, Melbourne Brain Centre at The Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Population Health and Immunity Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Amy Brodtmann
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, The Alfred Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Yen Ying Lim
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Anna Barker
- Silver Chain Group, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Williamson M, Maruff P, Schembri A, Cummins H, Bird L, Rosenich E, Lim YY. Validation of a digit symbol substitution test for use in supervised and unsupervised assessment in mild Alzheimer's disease. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2022; 44:768-779. [PMID: 36888758 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2023.2179977] [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: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Digit-Symbol-Substitution Test (DSST) is used widely in neuropsychological investigations of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). A computerized version of this paradigm, the DSST-Meds, utilizes medicine-date pairings and has been developed for administration in both supervised and unsupervised environments. This study determined the utility and validity of the DSST-Meds for measuring cognitive dysfunction in early AD. METHOD Performance on the DSST-Meds was compared to performance on the WAIS Coding test, and a computerized digit symbol coding test (DSST-Symbols). The first study compared supervised performance on the three DSSTs versions in cognitively unimpaired (CU) adults (n = 104). The second compared supervised DSST performance between CU (n = 60) and mild-symptomatic AD (mild-AD, n = 79) groups. The third study compared performance on the DSST-Meds between unsupervised (n= 621) and supervised settings. RESULTS In Study 1, DSST-Meds accuracy showed high correlations with the DSST-Symbols accuracy (r = 0.81) and WAIS-Coding accuracy (r = 0.68). In Study 2, when compared to CU adults, the mild-AD group showed lower accuracy on all three DSSTs (Cohen's d ranging between 1.39 and 2.56) and DSST-Meds accuracy was correlated moderately with Mini-Mental State Examination scores (r = 0.44, p < .001). Study 3 observed no difference in DSST-meds accuracy between supervised and unsupervised administrations. CONCLUSION The DSST-Meds showed good construct and criterion validity when used in both supervised and unsupervised contexts and provided a strong foundation to investigate the utility of the DSST in groups with low familiarity to neuropsychological assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Williamson
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul Maruff
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Cogstate Ltd, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Hannah Cummins
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Laura Bird
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Emily Rosenich
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yen Ying Lim
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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