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Cintoli S, Elefante C, Radicchi C, Brancati GE, Bacciardi S, Bonaccorsi J, Siciliano G, Maremmani I, Perugi G, Tognoni G. Could Temperamental Features Modulate Participation in Clinical Trials? J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12031121. [PMID: 36769768 PMCID: PMC9917573 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12031121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The prodromal stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are the primary focus of research aimed at slowing disease progression. This study explores the influence of affective temperament on the motivation of people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and subjective cognitive decline (SCD) to participate in clinical trials. One hundred four subjects with MCI and SCD were screened for participation in pharmacological and non-pharmacological trials. Affective temperament was assessed based on the Temperament Evaluation of the Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego (TEMPS) scale. Demographic variables and temperament subscales scores were compared between MCI and SCD patients and among patients participating in the pharmacological trial, the non-pharmacological trial and refusing participation. Twenty-one subjects consented to participate in the pharmacological trial, seventy consented to the non-pharmacological trial and thirteen refused to participate in any trial. Patients with SCD had greater education and more depressive temperamental traits than those with MCI. While older age, higher education and anxious temperament were negatively associated with participation in the pharmacological trial, irritable temperamental positively predicted pharmacological trial participation. In conclusion, temperamental features may affect the willingness of patients with MCI and SCD to take part in clinical trials and, especially, the choice to participate in pharmacological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Cintoli
- Neurology Unit, Santa Chiara University Hospital, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Camilla Elefante
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudia Radicchi
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulio Emilio Brancati
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Silvia Bacciardi
- Department of Psychiatry, North-Western Tuscany Region NHS Local Health Unit, Versilia Zone, 55049 Viareggio, Italy
- PISA-School of Clinical and Experimental Psychiatry, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Joyce Bonaccorsi
- Neurology Unit, Santa Chiara University Hospital, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Gabriele Siciliano
- Neurology Unit, Santa Chiara University Hospital, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Icro Maremmani
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- G. De Lisio Institute of Behavioral Sciences, 56127 Pisa, Italy
- Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences (UniCamillus), 00131 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-050-992965; Fax: +39-050-993267
| | - Giulio Perugi
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- G. De Lisio Institute of Behavioral Sciences, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Gloria Tognoni
- Neurology Unit, Santa Chiara University Hospital, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Cintoli S, Radicchi C, Noale M, Maggi S, Meucci G, Tognoni G, Bonuccelli U, Sale A, Berardi N, Maffei L. Effects of combined training on neuropsychiatric symptoms and quality of life in patients with cognitive decline. Aging Clin Exp Res 2021; 33:1249-1257. [PMID: 31385203 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-019-01280-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Cognitive impairments associated with aging and dementia are major sources of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPs) and deterioration in quality of life (QoL). Preventive measures to both reduce disease and improve QoL in those affected are increasingly targeting individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) at early disease stage. However, NPs and QoL outcomes are too commonly overlooked in intervention trials. The purpose of this study was to test the effects of physical and cognitive training on NPs and QoL in MCI. METHODS Baseline data from an MCI court (N = 93, mean age 74.9 ± 4.7) enrolled in the Train the Brain (TtB) study were collected. Subjects were randomized in two groups: a group participated to a cognitive and physical training program, while the other sticked to usual standard care. Both groups underwent a follow-up re-evaluation after 7 months from baseline. NPs were assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and QoL was assessed using Quality of Life-Alzheimer's Disease (QOL-AD) scale. RESULTS After 7 months of training, training group exhibited a significant reduction of NPs and a significant increase in QOL-AD with respect to no-training group (p = 0.0155, p = 0.0013, respectively). Our preliminary results suggest that a combined training can reduce NPs and improve QoL. CONCLUSIONS Measuring QoL outcomes is a potentially important factor in ensuring that a person with cognitive deficits can 'live well' with pathology. Future data from non-pharmacological interventions, with a larger sample and a longer follow-up period, could confirm the results and the possible implications for such prevention strategies for early cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Cintoli
- Institute of Neuroscience of the CNR, Via G. Moruzzi 1, 56100, Pisa, Italy
- Department NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Claudia Radicchi
- Institute of Neuroscience of the CNR, Via G. Moruzzi 1, 56100, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marianna Noale
- Institute of Neuroscience of the CNR, Via G. Moruzzi 1, 56100, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefania Maggi
- Institute of Neuroscience of the CNR, Via G. Moruzzi 1, 56100, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Meucci
- Department of Clinical Medicine, U.O.C. Neurology, Livorno, Italy
| | - Gloria Tognoni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine-Neurology Unit, University of Pisa and AOU Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ubaldo Bonuccelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine-Neurology Unit, University of Pisa and AOU Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Sale
- Institute of Neuroscience of the CNR, Via G. Moruzzi 1, 56100, Pisa, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Berardi
- Institute of Neuroscience of the CNR, Via G. Moruzzi 1, 56100, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Lamberto Maffei
- Institute of Neuroscience of the CNR, Via G. Moruzzi 1, 56100, Pisa, Italy
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Cammisuli DM, Pagni C, Palermo G, Frosini D, Bonaccorsi J, Radicchi C, Cintoli S, Tommasini L, Tognoni G, Ceravolo R, Bonuccelli U. Mild Cognitive Impairment in de novo Parkinson's Disease: Selective Attention Deficit as Early Sign of Neurocognitive Decay. Front Psychol 2021; 12:546476. [PMID: 33859587 PMCID: PMC8042228 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.546476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: In the present study, we aimed to better investigate attention system profile of Parkinson's disease-Mild Cognitive Impairment (PD-MCI) patients and to determine if specific attentional deficits are associated with 123I-FP-CIT SPECT. Methods: A total of 44 de novo drug-naïve PD patients [(27) with normal cognition (PD-NC) and 17 with MCI (PD-MCI)], 23 MCI patients and 23 individuals with subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) were recruited at the Clinical Neurology Unit of Santa Chiara hospital (Pisa University Medical School, Italy). They were assessed by a wide neuropsychological battery, including Visual Search Test (VST) measuring selective attention. Performances among groups were compared by non-parametric tests (i.e., Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney, Bonferroni corrected). Further, Spearman's rank correlations were performed to explore the association between neuropsychological variables and 123I-FP-CIT SPECT data in PD subgroup. Results: PD-MCI patients performed worse on VST than patients with PD-NC (p = 0.002), patients with MCI and individuals with SCI (p < 0.001). The performance of PD-MCI patients on VST significantly correlated with caudate nucleus 123I-FP-CIT SPECT uptake (rho = 0.582, p < 0.05), whereas a negative correlation between such test and 123I-FP-CIT SPECT uptake in the left putamen (rho = -0.529, p < 0.05) was found in PD-NC patients. Conclusions: We suggest that selective attention deficit might be a trigger of cognitive decay in de novo PD-MCI patients. The VST should be routinely used to detect attentional deficits in hospital clinical practice, in the light of its closely association with dopamine depletion of basal ganglia in mildly impaired PD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cristina Pagni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Palermo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Daniela Frosini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale (USL) Toscana Nord Ovest, Pisa, Italy
| | - Joyce Bonaccorsi
- Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale (USL) Toscana Nord Ovest, Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudia Radicchi
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy
| | - Simona Cintoli
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drugs and Child Health Area, School of Psychology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Luca Tommasini
- Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale (USL) Toscana Nord Ovest, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gloria Tognoni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale (USL) Toscana Nord Ovest, Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberto Ceravolo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale (USL) Toscana Nord Ovest, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ubaldo Bonuccelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale (USL) Toscana Nord Ovest, Pisa, Italy
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Belli E, Nicoletti V, Radicchi C, Bonaccorsi J, Cintoli S, Ceravolo R, Tognoni G. Confabulations in Cases of Dementia: Atypical Early Sign of Alzheimer’s Disease or Misleading Feature in Dementia Diagnosis? Front Psychol 2020; 11:553886. [PMID: 33117224 PMCID: PMC7550794 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.553886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Confabulations, also known as false memories, have been associated with various diseases involving mainly the frontal areas, such as Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome or frontal epilepsy. The neuropsychological dysfunctions underlying mechanisms of confabulation are not well known. We describe two patients with memory impairment and confabulations at the onset speculating about neuropsychological correlates of confabulations and self-awareness. Both patients, a 77-year-old woman and a 57-years-old man, exhibited confabulations as first symptom of cognitive decline. She later developed memory impairment without awareness of her memory deficits and her cognitive and imaging profile suggested an amnesic mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Unlike her, he developed a prevalent involvement of frontal functions despite a clear consciousness of his cognitive deficits. However, the clinical diagnostic hypothesis of behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia was not supported by imaging findings, which suggested AD. Both patients underwent neuropsychological evaluation including the Confabulation Battery. Despite that the exact anatomical correlation of confabulations is still not defined, imaging data shown by our patients is consistent with recent theories according to which at the origin of confabulatory tendency in AD there is an impairment of the connections between crucial hubs in frontal and mediotemporal areas, mainly involving the right hemisphere. Besides, it would be reasonable to hypothesize that self-awareness and confabulations should not be considered as necessarily associated dimensions.
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Aghakhanyan G, Vergallo A, Gennaro M, Mazzarri S, Guidoccio F, Radicchi C, Ceravolo R, Tognoni G, Bonuccelli U, Volterrani D. The Precuneus – A Witness for Excessive Aβ Gathering in Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology. NEURODEGENER DIS 2019; 18:302-309. [DOI: 10.1159/000492945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence of cortical beta-amyloid (Aβ) load, assessed by Aβ positron emission tomography (Aβ-PET), is an established in vivo biomarker of Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-related pathophysiology. Qualitative assessment of Aβ-PET provides binary information; meanwhile semiquantitative approaches require a parcellation of PET image either manually or by placement of atlas-based volumes of interest. We supposed that a whole-brain approach with voxel-by-voxel standardized uptake value ratio (SUVr) parametric images may better elucidate the spatial trajectories of Aβ burden along the continuum of AD. Methods: We recruited 32 subjects with a diagnosis of probable AD dementia (ADD, n = 20) and mild cognitive impairment due to AD (MCI-AD, n = 12) according to the NIA-AA 2011 criteria. We also enrolled a control group of 6 cognitively healthy individuals (HCs) with preserved cognitive functions and negative Aβ-PET scan. The PET images were spatially normalized using the AV45 PET template in the MNI brain space. Subsequently, parametric SUVr images were calculated using the whole cerebellum as a reference region. A voxel-wise analysis of covariance was used to compare (between groups) the Αβ distribution pattern considering age as a nuisance covariate. Results: Both ADD and MCI-AD subjects showed a widespread increase in radiotracer uptake when compared with HC participants (p < 0.001, uncorrected). After applying a multiple comparison correction (p < 0.05, corrected), a relative large cluster of increased [18F]-florbetapir uptake was observed in the precuneus in the ADD and MCI-AD groups compared to HCs. Voxel-wise regression analysis showed a significant positive linear association between the voxel-wise SUVr values and the disease duration. Conclusions: The voxel-wise semiquantitative analysis shows that the precuneus is a region with higher vulnerability to Aβ depositions when compared to other cortical regions in both MCI-AD and ADD subjects. We think that the precuneus is a promising PET-based outcome measure for clinical trials of drugs targeting brain Aβ. We found a positive association between the overall Aβ-PET SUVr and the disease duration suggesting that the region-specific slow saturation of Aβ deposition continuously takes place as the disease progresses.
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Volpi L, Pagni C, Radicchi C, Cintoli S, Miccoli M, Bonuccelli U, Tognoni G. Detecting cognitive impairment at the early stages: The challenge of first line assessment. J Neurol Sci 2017; 377:12-18. [PMID: 28477679 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2017.03.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Revised: 02/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Leda Volpi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy.
| | - Cristina Pagni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudia Radicchi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Simona Cintoli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Mario Miccoli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Ubaldo Bonuccelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Gloria Tognoni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
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Radicchi C, Drago L, Casucci G, Angeletti G, Arena D. [Empty sella syndrome in a patient with somatic signs of acromegaly]. Recenti Prog Med 1987; 78:14-6. [PMID: 3589114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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