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Journal of Neurology Aug 2021Neuronal antibodies can cause encephalopathy syndromes often presenting with subacute cognitive impairment, sometimes resembling neurodegenerative dementias. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
Neuronal antibodies can cause encephalopathy syndromes often presenting with subacute cognitive impairment, sometimes resembling neurodegenerative dementias.
METHODS
We searched Medline and Embase for studies reporting associations between neuronal surface antibodies in all-cause dementia versus controls. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to pool adjusted estimates across studies.
RESULTS
Six studies were included, all reporting frequency of serum NMDAR antibodies in dementia with four also reporting frequency in atypical dementias. Both IgG [OR = 8.09 (1.51; 56.85), p = 0.036] and IgA/IgM NMDAR antibodies [OR = 42.48 (11.39; 158.52), p < 0.001] were associated with atypical dementia, but neither were associated with all-cause dementia.
DISCUSSION
In the first meta-analysis to explore this literature, serum IgG and IgA/IgM NMDAR antibodies were significantly more common in atypical dementias. However, methodological issues and small-sample sizes necessitate caution interpreting this result. Further studies measuring both serum and CSF antibodies are needed to investigate the role of neuronal antibodies in dementia, since evidence of pathogenicity in even a subset of patients could pave the way for novel treatment options.
Topics: Autoantibodies; Dementia; Humans; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin M; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
PubMed: 32306172
DOI: 10.1007/s00415-020-09825-0 -
Ageing Research Reviews Jan 2023To explore and summarize studies investigating the effect of arts and culture interventions for people living with dementia and their caregivers on the well-being and... (Review)
Review
AIMS
To explore and summarize studies investigating the effect of arts and culture interventions for people living with dementia and their caregivers on the well-being and cognition of the person living with dementia and, caregiver strain.
METHODS
We carried out a systematic search of five electronic databases (PubMed, PsychINFO, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library). We included original research published in peer-reviewed journals including both qualitative and quantitative studies. We assessed quality of included studies using the Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias tools. A narrative synthesis was conducted of all included studies.
RESULTS
Of the 4827 articles screened, 34 articles met inclusion criteria. A variety of interventions were identified, with more than half taking place in a museum or gallery. Five RCTs showed improvements in wellbeing outcomes but no cognitive improvements except in some subscales in a music intervention. Most non-randomised studies reported cognitive improvements and well-being improvements for people living with dementia and their caregivers. Studies primarily focused on individuals with mild to moderate dementia.
CONCLUSIONS
The use of arts and culture interventions may provide benefits for people living with dementia and their caregivers. However, heterogeneity of the interventions and outcome measures prevented generalization of the results. Further research of arts and culture interventions for people living with dementia and their caregivers should utilize larger controlled trials, standardized outcome measures and include individuals with moderate to severe dementia.
Topics: Humans; Caregivers; Cognition; Dementia; Quality of Life
PubMed: 36435435
DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101793 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2022Evidence is scarce about the effect of noise exposure on the risk of dementia. We conducted a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis, aiming to explore the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
Evidence is scarce about the effect of noise exposure on the risk of dementia. We conducted a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis, aiming to explore the association between noise exposure and the risk of dementia.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library to collect studies on chronic noise exposure and the risk of dementia from database inception to September 18, 2021 without language limitations. Two authors independently screened the literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. A dose-response meta-analysis and subgroup analysis were then conducted to detect the association between noise exposure and the risk of dementia by using Stata 14.0 software. This study is registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021249243).
RESULTS
A total of 11 studies were eligible for qualitative synthesis, and nine were eligible for quantitative data synthesis. All of them showed moderate to high quality scores in the assessment of risk of bias. We found a positive linear association between the noise increment and dementia risk ( = 0.58). When noise exposure increased 57 dB, the RR of dementia was 1.47 (95% CI: 1.21-1.78). From the outcome subgroup of AD, AD and dementia, VaD and NAD, we also found a positive association ( = 0.68, 0.68, 0.58, respectively). When noise exposure increased by 25 dB, the RRs were 1.18 (95% CI: 1.14-1.23), 1.19 (95% CI: 1.14-1.23) and 1.17 (95% CI: 1.06-1.30), respectively. We found a nonlinear association between the noise increment and dementia risk when only cohort studies were included ( = 0.58). When noise exposure increased by 25 dB, the RR of dementia was 1.16 (95% CI: 1.12-1.20). From the subgroup of AD, AD and dementia, VaD and NAD of cohort studies, the regression curve showed a nonlinear positive association ( = 0.74, 0.71, 0.43, respectively). When noise exposure increased by 25 dB, the RRs were 1.17 (95% CI: 1.12-1.21), 1.17 (95% CI: 1.12-1.22) and 1.13 (95% CI: 0.99-1.28), respectively.
CONCLUSION
Based on the current evidence, exposure to noise may be a specific risk factor for dementia. To better prevent dementia, more rigorously designed studies are needed to explore the etiological mechanism of noise and dementia.
Topics: Cohort Studies; Databases, Factual; Dementia; Humans; NAD; Risk Factors
PubMed: 35795699
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.832881 -
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease : JAD 2019Perivascular compartments surrounding the penetrating arteries in the brain are part of a physiologic system, which facilitates fluids exchange and clearance of solutes...
Perivascular compartments surrounding the penetrating arteries in the brain are part of a physiologic system, which facilitates fluids exchange and clearance of solutes from the brain. The perivascular compartments become visible on MRI when enlarged and are commonly referred to as perivascular spaces (ePVS). Previous studies on the association between ePVS and dementia have been inconsistent due to varying methods of measuring ePVS. As a frame of reference for future MRI studies on ePVS, we systematically review the literature on ePVS as a marker of vascular brain injury related to dementia from population-based as well as hospital-based settings. We identified three longitudinal and ten cross-sectional studies involving 7,581 persons. Potential outcomes were all-cause dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and vascular dementia. There was considerable heterogeneity in ePVS assessment: with studies using either visual inspection or segmentation, examining different brain locations and implementing different grading scales. Moreover, out of the total of 13 studies, all five studies on vascular dementia reported an association with presence of basal ganglia ePVS after adjustment for age, gender, and white matter hyperintensities. For seven studies on Alzheimer's disease and all-cause dementia, the results were ambiguous. This review did not identify an independent association of ePVS with prevalent or incident dementia. Harmonized methods for ePVS assessment, tested across different populations, may benefit future MRI studies on ePVS and dementia.
Topics: Cross-Sectional Studies; Dementia; Glymphatic System; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Organ Size; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 31561362
DOI: 10.3233/JAD-190527 -
Journal of the American Medical... Jul 2021To systematically review and synthesize the evidence on differential associations between antihypertensive medication (AHM) classes and the risk of incident dementia. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
To systematically review and synthesize the evidence on differential associations between antihypertensive medication (AHM) classes and the risk of incident dementia.
DESIGN
Systematic review and random effects frequentist network meta-analysis. Embase, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane library were searched from origin to December 2019.
SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective cohort studies that compared associations of different AHM classes with incident all-cause dementia and/or Alzheimer's disease over at least 1 year of follow-up.
MEASURES
All cause dementia and/or Alzheimer's disease.
RESULTS
Fifteen observational studies and 7 RCTs were included. Data on AHM classes were available for 649,790 participants and dementia occurred in 19,600 (3.02%). Network meta-analysis showed that in observational studies, treatment with either calcium channel blockers (CCBs) or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) was associated with lower dementia risks than treatment with other antihypertensives: CCBs vs angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) (HR=0.84, 95% CI 0.74-0.95), beta blockers (HR=0.83, 95% CI 0.73-0.95) and diuretics (HR=0.89, 95% CI 0.78-1.01) and ARBs vs ACE inhibitors (HR=0.88, 95% CI 0.81-0.97), beta blockers (HR=0.87, 95% CI 0.77-0.99), and diuretics (HR=0.93, 95% CI 0.83-1.05). There were insufficient RCTs to create a robust network based on randomized data alone.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
Recommending CCBs or ARBs as preferred first-line antihypertensive treatment may significantly reduce the risk of dementia. If corroborated in a randomized setting, these findings reflect a low-cost and scalable opportunity to reduce dementia incidence worldwide.
Topics: Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Antihypertensive Agents; Calcium Channel Blockers; Dementia; Humans; Hypertension; Network Meta-Analysis
PubMed: 33460618
DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2020.12.019 -
Neurology Sep 2012To examine the association between cognitive function and dementia with vitamin D concentration in adults. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To examine the association between cognitive function and dementia with vitamin D concentration in adults.
METHODS
Five databases were searched for English-language studies up to August 2010, and included all study designs with a comparative group. Cognitive function or impairment was defined by tests of global or domain-specific cognitive performance and dementia was diagnosed according to recognized criteria. A vitamin D measurement was required. Two authors independently extracted data and assessed study quality using predefined criteria. The Q statistic and I² methods were used to test for heterogeneity. We conducted meta-analyses using random effects models for the weighted mean difference (WMD) and Hedge's g.
RESULTS
Thirty-seven studies were included; 8 contained data allowing mean Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores to be compared between participants with vitamin D <50 nmol/L to those with values ≥50 nmol/L. There was significant heterogeneity among the studies that compared the WMD for MMSE but an overall positive effect for the higher vitamin D group (1.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.5 to 1.9; I² = 0.65; p = 0.002). The small positive effect persisted despite several sensitivity analyses. Six studies presented data comparing Alzheimer disease (AD) to controls but 2 utilized a method withdrawn from commercial use. For the remaining 4 studies the AD group had a lower vitamin D concentration compared to the control group (WMD = -6.2 nmol/L, 95% CI -10.6 to -1.8) with no heterogeneity (I² < 0.01; p = 0.53).
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that lower vitamin D concentrations are associated with poorer cognitive function and a higher risk of AD. Further studies are required to determine the significance and potential public health benefit of this association.
Topics: Cognition; Cognition Disorders; Dementia; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Vitamin D
PubMed: 23008220
DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e31826c197f -
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 -
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Feb 2022Growing evidence suggests an association between the use of sedative-hypnotic medications and risk of dementia. The aim of this study is to examine this association... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
AIMS
Growing evidence suggests an association between the use of sedative-hypnotic medications and risk of dementia. The aim of this study is to examine this association using a meta-analysis approach.
METHODS
MEDLINE (PubMed) and Scopus were systematically searched for studies published in English only. The quality of studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale, and an overall odds ratio was pooled using a random-effects model.
RESULTS
A total of 35 articles were included in the analysis. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) for dementia from all records were (OR; 1.33, 95% CI 1.19-1.49) for benzodiazepine (BZD) combined use (Subgroup-1), (OR: 1.46, 95% CI 1.23-1.73) for short-acting BZD use (Subgroup-2), (OR: 1.72, 95% CI 1.48-1.99) for long-acting BZD use (Subgroup-3), (OR: 1.13, 95% CI 0.97-1.32) for BZDs without specification of duration of action (Subgroup-4), (OR: 1.64, 95% CI 1.13-2.38) for the combined BZDs and Z-drugs, (OR: 1.43, 95% CI 1.17-1.74) for Z-drugs only, (OR: 1.14, 95% CI 0.88-1.46) for antidepressant use, (OR: 0.97, 95% CI 0.68-1.39) for antipsychotic use and (OR: 0.98, 95% CI 0.85-1.13) for anticonvulsant use. When sensitivity analysis was performed, association between overall use of BZDs and short-acting BZDs with the increased risk of dementia disappeared after exclusion of studies that were not adjusted for age covariate (OR: 1.2, 95% CI 1.0-1.44) and (OR: 1.22, 95% CI 0.75-2.01), respectively. Adjustment for protopathic bias by introduction of a lag period showed no evidence of increased risk of dementia with the use of BZDs (Subgroup-1) (OR: 1.14, 95% CI 0.82-1.58), Z-drugs (OR: 1.29, 95% CI 0.78-2.13), and combined BZDs and Z-drugs (OR: 1.51, 95% CI 0.91-2.53). Combined use of BZDs and Z-drugs showed more positive association when only studies of non-user design were analysed (OR: 2.75, 95% CI 2.23-3.39).
CONCLUSIONS
All the investigated sedative-hypnotics showed no association with increased risk of dementia except for BZDs. However, the observed association with BZDs did not persist after exclusion of studies with potential reverse causation and confounding by indication. Therefore, this association needs to be assessed carefully in future research.
Topics: Antidepressive Agents; Benzodiazepines; Dementia; Humans; Hypnotics and Sedatives; Odds Ratio
PubMed: 34679196
DOI: 10.1111/bcp.15113 -
Value in Health : the Journal of the... Apr 2018Several utility-based instruments have been applied in cost-utility analysis to assess health state values for people with dementia. Nevertheless, concerns and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Several utility-based instruments have been applied in cost-utility analysis to assess health state values for people with dementia. Nevertheless, concerns and uncertainty regarding their performance for people with dementia have been raised.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the performance of available utility-based instruments for people with dementia by comparing their psychometric properties and to explore factors that cause variations in the reported health state values generated from those instruments by conducting meta-regression analyses.
METHODS
A literature search was conducted and psychometric properties were synthesized to demonstrate the overall performance of each instrument. When available, health state values and variables such as the type of instrument and cognitive impairment levels were extracted from each article. A meta-regression analysis was undertaken and available covariates were included in the models.
RESULTS
A total of 64 studies providing preference-based values were identified and included. The EuroQol five-dimension questionnaire demonstrated the best combination of feasibility, reliability, and validity. Meta-regression analyses suggested that significant differences exist between instruments, type of respondents, and mode of administration and the variations in estimated utility values had influences on incremental quality-adjusted life-year calculation.
CONCLUSIONS
This review finds that the EuroQol five-dimension questionnaire is the most valid utility-based instrument for people with dementia, but should be replaced by others under certain circumstances. Although no utility estimates were reported in the article, the meta-regression analyses that examined variations in utility estimates produced by different instruments impact on cost-utility analysis, potentially altering the decision-making process in some circumstances.
Topics: Cost-Benefit Analysis; Decision Support Techniques; Dementia; Health Care Costs; Health Status; Health Status Indicators; Humans; Mental Health; Models, Economic; Predictive Value of Tests; Process Assessment, Health Care; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 29680105
DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2017.09.005 -
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics 2021The number of positive and death cases from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still increasing until now. One of the most prone individuals, even in normal... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The number of positive and death cases from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still increasing until now. One of the most prone individuals, even in normal situations is patients with dementia. Currently, no study provides clear evidence regarding the link between dementia and COVID-19. This study aims to analyze the relationship between dementia and poor outcomes of COVID-19 infection.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We systematically searched the PubMed and Europe PMC database using specific keywords related to our aims until October 25th, 2020. All articles published on COVID-19 and dementia were retrieved. The quality of the study was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS) tool for observational studies. Statistical analysis was done using Review Manager 5.4 software.
RESULTS
A total of 24 studies with 46,391 dementia patients were included in this meta-analysis. This meta-analysis showed that dementia was associated with composite poor outcome [RR 2.67 (95% CI 2.06 - 3.47), p < 0.00001, I = 99%, random-effect modeling] and its subgroup which comprised of risk of COVID-19 infection [RR 2.76 (95% CI 1.43 - 5.33), p = 0.003, I = 99%, random-effect modeling], severe COVID-19 [RR 2.63 (95% CI 1.41 - 4.90), p = 0.002, I = 89%, random-effect modeling], and mortality from COVID-19 infection [RR 2.62 (95% CI 2.04 - 3.36), p < 0.00001, I = 96%, random-effect modeling].
CONCLUSIONS
Extra care and close monitoring should then be provided to patients with dementia to minimize the risk of infections, preventing the development of severe and mortality outcomes.
Topics: COVID-19; Dementia; Europe; Humans; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 33285424
DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2020.104299