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Alzheimer's & Dementia : the Journal of... Apr 2024We tested the association of brain artery diameters with dementia and stroke risk in three distinct population-based studies using conventional T2-weighted brain...
INTRODUCTION
We tested the association of brain artery diameters with dementia and stroke risk in three distinct population-based studies using conventional T2-weighted brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images.
METHODS
We included 8420 adults > 40 years old from three longitudinal population-based studies with brain MRI scans. We estimated and meta-analyzed the hazard ratios (HRs) of the brain and carotids and basilar diameters associated with dementia and stroke.
RESULT
Overall and carotid artery diameters > 95th percentile increased the risk for dementia by 1.74 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-2.68) and 1.48 (95% CI, 1.12-1.96) fold, respectively. For stroke, meta-analyses yielded HRs of 1.59 (95% CI, 1.04-2.42) for overall arteries and 2.11 (95% CI, 1.45-3.08) for basilar artery diameters > 95th percentile.
DISCUSSION
Individuals with dilated brain arteries are at higher risk for dementia and stroke, across distinct populations. Our findings underline the potential value of T2-weighted brain MRI-based brain diameter assessment in estimating the risk of dementia and stroke.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Stroke; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Brain; Basilar Artery; Dementia; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38332543
DOI: 10.1002/alz.13712 -
Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979) Jan 2024Abnormal orthostatic blood pressure (BP) regulation may result in cerebral hypoperfusion and brain ischemia and contribute to dementia. It may also manifest as early...
BACKGROUND
Abnormal orthostatic blood pressure (BP) regulation may result in cerebral hypoperfusion and brain ischemia and contribute to dementia. It may also manifest as early symptoms of the neurodegenerative process associated with dementia. The relationship between the magnitude and timing of orthostatic BP responses and dementia risk is not fully understood.
METHODS
We conducted a prospective cohort analysis of the associations of orthostatic BP changes and self-reported orthostatic dizziness with the risk of dementia in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study (ARIC). We calculated changes in BP from the supine to the standing position at 5 measurements taken within 2 minutes after standing during the baseline visit (1987-1989). The primary outcome was adjudicated dementia ascertained through 2019.
RESULTS
Among 11 644 participants (mean [SD] age, 54.5 [5.7] years; 54.1% women; 25.9% Black), 2303 dementia cases were identified during a median follow-up of 25.9 years. Large decreases in systolic BP from the supine to standing position measured at the first 2 measurements ≈30 and 50 seconds after standing, but not afterward, were associated with orthostatic dizziness and a higher risk of dementia. Comparing a decrease in systolic BP of ≤-20 or >-20 to -10 mm Hg to stable systolic BP (>-10 to 10 mm Hg) at the first measurement, the adjusted hazard ratios were 1.22 (95% CI, 1.01-1.47) and 1.10 (95% CI, 0.97-1.25), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Abnormal orthostatic BP regulation, especially abrupt drops in BP within the first minute, might be early risk markers for the development of dementia. Transient early orthostatic hypotension warrants more attention in clinical settings.
Topics: Humans; Female; Middle Aged; Male; Dizziness; Blood Pressure; Standing Position; Prospective Studies; Hypotension, Orthostatic; Hypotension; Atherosclerosis; Dementia
PubMed: 37869909
DOI: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.123.21438 -
Peripheral GFAP and NfL as early biomarkers for dementia: longitudinal insights from the UK Biobank.BMC Medicine May 2024Peripheral glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neurofilament light chain (NfL) are sensitive markers of neuroinflammation and neuronal damage. Previous studies...
BACKGROUND
Peripheral glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neurofilament light chain (NfL) are sensitive markers of neuroinflammation and neuronal damage. Previous studies with highly selected participants have shown that peripheral GFAP and NfL levels are elevated in the pre-clinical phase of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia. However, the predictive value of GFAP and NfL for dementia requires more evidence from population-based cohorts.
METHODS
This was a prospective cohort study to evaluate UK Biobank participants enrolled from 2006 to 2010 using plasma GFAP and NfL measurements measured by Olink Target Platform and prospectively followed up for dementia diagnosis. Primary outcome was the risk of clinical diagnosed dementia. Secondary outcomes were cognition. Linear regression was used to assess the associations between peripheral GFAP and NfL with cognition. Cox proportional hazard models with cross-validations were used to estimate associations between elevated GFAP and NfL with risk of dementia. All models were adjusted for covariates.
RESULTS
A subsample of 48,542 participants in the UK Biobank with peripheral GFAP and NfL measurements were evaluated. With an average follow-up of 13.18 ± 2.42 years, 1312 new all-cause dementia cases were identified. Peripheral GFAP and NfL increased up to 15 years before dementia diagnosis was made. After strictly adjusting for confounders, increment in NfL was found to be associated with decreased numeric memory and prolonged reaction time. A greater annualized rate of change in GFAP was significantly associated with faster global cognitive decline. Elevation of GFAP (hazard ratio (HR) ranges from 2.25 to 3.15) and NfL (HR ranges from 1.98 to 4.23) increased the risk for several types of dementia. GFAP and NfL significantly improved the predictive values for dementia using previous models (area under the curve (AUC) ranges from 0.80 to 0.89, C-index ranges from 0.86 to 0.91). The AD genetic risk score and number of APOE*E4 alleles strongly correlated with GFAP and NfL levels.
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that peripheral GFAP and NfL are potential biomarkers for the early diagnosis of dementia. In addition, anti-inflammatory therapies in the initial stages of dementia may have potential benefits.
Topics: Humans; Neurofilament Proteins; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Biomarkers; Female; Dementia; Male; United Kingdom; Prospective Studies; Aged; Middle Aged; Biological Specimen Banks; Longitudinal Studies; UK Biobank
PubMed: 38735950
DOI: 10.1186/s12916-024-03418-8 -
Scientific Reports Sep 2023The link between cardiovascular (CV) risk factors or diseases and dementia is documented. There is conflicting evidence whether age moderates the association. We need to...
The link between cardiovascular (CV) risk factors or diseases and dementia is documented. There is conflicting evidence whether age moderates the association. We need to study this gap so that research and clinical initiatives target appropriate age groups. A cohort of 320,630 adult patients without dementia was built using Quebec healthcare databases (1998-2010). The CV risk factors were hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia, while diseases included stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), chronic heart failure (HF), and atrial fibrillation (AF). Dementia risk and CV risk factors or diseases were assessed using incidence rate ratios and Cox regression across age groups. The cohort presented by mainly female sex (67.7%) and mean age of 74.1 years. Incident rate of dementia increased with age, ranging from 4.1 to 93.5 per 1000 person-years. Diabetes, stroke, HF and AF were significantly associated with dementia risk, hazard ratios ranged from 1.08 to 3.54. The strength of association decreased in advanced age for diabetes, stroke and HF. The results suggest that prevention of diabetes, stroke, HF and AF are crucial to mitigate dementia risk. The pathophysiology of dementia in younger and older populations seems to differ, with less impact of CV risk factors in advanced age.
Topics: Humans; Female; Aged; Male; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cohort Studies; Hypertension; Atrial Fibrillation; Stroke; Dementia
PubMed: 37689801
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42071-8 -
International Journal of Geriatric... Aug 2023Dementia Care Navigators (DCNs) are professionals without clinical training, who provide individualised emotional and practical support to people living with dementia,... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Dementia Care Navigators (DCNs) are professionals without clinical training, who provide individualised emotional and practical support to people living with dementia, working alongside clinical services. Navigator services have been implemented but the service offered vary without a consistent overview provided. The aim of this narrative systematic review was to describe and compare existing service formats, and to synthesise evidence regarding their implementation and impacts.
METHODS
The review was registered on PROSPERO [CRD42021292518]. Three electronic databases were searched and included studies reported on a DCN service, defined as a service in which non-clinically trained workers provide personalised advice and support to people with dementia and/or carers in the community. Two independent reviewers screened abstracts and titles and read through full papers for inclusion. Risk of bias was assessed using the Standard Quality Assessment QualSyst.
RESULTS
We included 14 papers reporting on six studies. All services were US-based and only varied by integration and training provided. Studies reported different degrees of impact on service utilisation and on symptoms and mental well-being of people with dementia and their carers, with too little evidence to draw substantial/meaningful conclusions and studies employing different outcome measures. One study evidenced greater impacts on people with more advanced dementia compared to earlier stages.
CONCLUSIONS
DCN services have the potential to effectively provide non-clinical support to people with dementia and carers from the point of diagnosis. Further research from countries other than the USA, focusing on the impact on social care and social support service access and utilisation, and utilising similar established outcome measures are required.
Topics: Humans; Prevalence; Mental Health; Caregivers; Social Support; Dementia
PubMed: 37526320
DOI: 10.1002/gps.5977 -
Neuropsychology Review Jun 2024Most people with dementia experience neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), including anxiety, depression or disinhibition. There is growing interest in the relationship... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Most people with dementia experience neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), including anxiety, depression or disinhibition. There is growing interest in the relationship between NPS and cognitive impairment, but data is still limited. This study aimed to investigate the specific associations between NPS and cognition in people with dementia. MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO were searched for published, peer-reviewed studies of associations between at least one NPS and one cognitive ability in people with dementia. The quality of the studies was assessed with the NIH National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's quality assessment tools. A meta-analysis was conducted using Robumeta package for R. Ninety studies were included. We found significant associations between NPS, global cognition and cognitive domains, e.g. apathy was associated with global cognitive and memory impairment; dysphoria was associated with worse attention; delusions with executive dysfunction. Increased NPS in people with dementia are associated with worse cognitive performance. There were few studies looking at associations between some neuropsychiatric clusters and cognitive abilities, and there was little research on causal relationships. Our review was limited by the inclusion of studies that reported associations in specific formats, and most included people with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, given the large number of studies, this is unlikely to have biased results. More research is needed that includes diverse people with different dementia syndromes. Registration: PROSPERO 2020 CRD42020165565.
Topics: Humans; Dementia; Cognitive Dysfunction; Cognition; Alzheimer Disease
PubMed: 37477839
DOI: 10.1007/s11065-023-09608-0 -
Alzheimer's & Dementia : the Journal of... May 2024The course of depressive symptoms and dementia risk is unclear, as are potential structural neuropathological common causes.
INTRODUCTION
The course of depressive symptoms and dementia risk is unclear, as are potential structural neuropathological common causes.
METHODS
Utilizing joint latent class mixture models, we identified longitudinal trajectories of annually assessed depressive symptoms and dementia risk over 21 years in 957 older women (baseline age 72.7 years old) from the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study. In a subsample of 569 women who underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging, we examined whether estimates of cerebrovascular disease and Alzheimer's disease (AD)-related neurodegeneration were associated with identified trajectories.
RESULTS
Five trajectories of depressive symptoms and dementia risk were identified. Compared to women with minimal symptoms, women who reported mild and stable and emerging depressive symptoms were at the highest risk of developing dementia and had more cerebrovascular disease and AD-related neurodegeneration.
DISCUSSION
There are heterogeneous profiles of depressive symptoms and dementia risk. Common neuropathological factors may contribute to both depression and dementia. Highlights The progression of depressive symptoms and concurrent dementia risk is heterogeneous. Emerging depressive symptoms may be a prodromal symptom of dementia. Cerebrovascular disease and AD are potentially shared neuropathological factors.
Topics: Humans; Female; Aged; Depression; Dementia; Longitudinal Studies; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Brain; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Alzheimer Disease; Disease Progression; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38591250
DOI: 10.1002/alz.13781 -
BMC Oral Health Dec 2023The chronic systemic inflammatory response in periodontitis may be a potential risk factor for dementia, especially in adults. This study determined the association...
BACKGROUND
The chronic systemic inflammatory response in periodontitis may be a potential risk factor for dementia, especially in adults. This study determined the association between periodontal treatment and dementia in adults and evaluated the effect of regular scaling treatment on the risk of dementia in this population.
METHODS
This case-control study identified 18,930 patients with a dementia-related diagnosis from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Scaling and periodontal emergency treatments were evaluated after 1 year and 3 years. Using multivariable logistic regression analysis to evaluate the association between periodontal emergency treatment and dementia risk.
RESULTS
The results showed that scaling treatment rates were lower in the dementia cohort than the non-dementia cohort after 1 and 3 years. Patients who received periodontal emergency treatment within 3 years had a significantly increased risk of dementia. Furthermore, patients with periodontitis who did not receive scaling treatment within 3 years had a higher risk of dementia than patients without periodontitis (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.10-1.35).
CONCLUSION
This study demonstrated that periodontitis and dementia are associated, and that periodontitis is a risk factor for dementia in adults. The risk of dementia was dependent on the periodontal health status of adults, and our findings suggest that regular scaling can reduce the incidence of dementia in adults. Therefore, regular and routine scaling treatment is suggested for adults.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Case-Control Studies; Dental Scaling; Periodontitis; Dental Care; Dementia; Chronic Periodontitis
PubMed: 38057760
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-023-03551-5 -
Health Informatics Journal 2023A novel text mining pilot for dementia detection using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) was tested on public figures' writings looking at word choice and affect...
A novel text mining pilot for dementia detection using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) was tested on public figures' writings looking at word choice and affect compared to those with and without dementia. The differences found in this analysis mirror the expected patterns where writings of people with dementia reflect significantly more analytical thinking words, but significantly less authentic and emotional tone. In addition, the analysis found that people with dementia use significantly less functional words, such as grammar, and affections (happiness, sadness, anger, sadness), but tend to use significantly more pronouns in their writings. Written samples of those with dementia also use significantly less time-oriented words that indicate past, present, or future. The analysis of free form text suggests a potential avenue for detecting early changes that correlate with dementia, allowing for early preventative treatment before noticeable cognitive impairment occurs.
Topics: Humans; Linguistics; Emotions; Data Mining; Writing; Dementia
PubMed: 37800542
DOI: 10.1177/14604582231204409 -
International Journal of Environmental... May 2024National dementia strategies are government policies that guide the provision of appropriate support for people living with dementia. These strategies, developed through...
National dementia strategies are government policies that guide the provision of appropriate support for people living with dementia. These strategies, developed through extensive stakeholder engagement, should be tailored to the cultural and demographic needs of a country. Using a mixed methods survey design, this study explored the aims of the Dementia Action Plan (2018-2022) for Wales (UK) around assessment, diagnosis, and post-diagnostic support, and assessed whether these are being realized. Further, it sought to gain insight from people living with dementia and their carers around how the experience may be improved for others in the future, as the development of the next iteration of the Action Plan is anticipated. Respondents included 71 people, affected by typical and rarer types of dementia, living in both rural and urban areas. Findings suggest both positive and negative experiences, reflecting a 'postcode lottery' of service provision. Attainable recommendations for improvement were made by respondents, which would ultimately likely be cost-effective and reduce strain on formal services. The findings reported in this paper concur with those reported by people living with dementia in other countries, indicating their relevance for policymakers beyond Wales.
Topics: Humans; Dementia; Wales; Aged; Male; Female; Aged, 80 and over; Middle Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires; Caregivers
PubMed: 38928955
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060709