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Journal of Neurochemistry Jul 2021Long-term or severe lack of protective factors is important in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative dementia. Progranulin (PGRN), a neurotrophic factor expressed mainly... (Review)
Review
Long-term or severe lack of protective factors is important in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative dementia. Progranulin (PGRN), a neurotrophic factor expressed mainly in neurons and microglia, has various neuroprotective effects such as anti-inflammatory effects, promoting neuron survival and neurite growth, and participating in normal lysosomal function. Mutations in the PGRN gene (GRN) have been found in several neurodegenerative dementias, including frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Herein, PGRN deficiency and PGRN hydrolytic products (GRNs) in the pathological changes related to dementia, including aggregation of tau and TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43), amyloid-β (Aβ) overproduction, neuroinflammation, lysosomal dysfunction, neuronal death, and synaptic deficit have been summarized. Furthermore, as some therapeutic strategies targeting PGRN have been developed in various models, we highlighted PGRN as a potential anti-neurodegeneration target in dementia.
Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Animals; Dementia; Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration; Humans; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Progranulins
PubMed: 33930186
DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15378 -
Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in... Apr 2017Neurodegenerative dementias are clinically heterogeneous, progressive diseases with frequently overlapping symptoms, such as cognitive impairments and behavior and... (Review)
Review
Neurodegenerative dementias are clinically heterogeneous, progressive diseases with frequently overlapping symptoms, such as cognitive impairments and behavior and movement deficits. Although a majority of cases appear to be sporadic, there is a large genetic component that has yet to be fully explained. Here, we review the recent genetic and genomic findings pertaining to Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementia, and prion dementia. In this review, we describe causal and susceptibility genes identified for these dementias and discuss recent research pertaining to the molecular function of these genes. Of particular interest, there is a large overlap in clinical phenotypes, genes, and/or aggregating protein products involved in these diseases, as well as frequent comorbid presentation, indicating that these dementias may represent a continuum of syndromes rather than individual diseases.
Topics: Dementia; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Neurodegenerative Diseases
PubMed: 27940516
DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a023705 -
Ugeskrift For Laeger Mar 2017Dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson disease dementia share the same pathophysiology. Together they are called Lewy body dementias and are the second most common type... (Review)
Review
Dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson disease dementia share the same pathophysiology. Together they are called Lewy body dementias and are the second most common type of dementia. Lewy body dementias receive little attention, and patients are often misdiagnosed, leading to less than ideal management. In this article, diagnostic criteria combined with imaging and other biomarkers as well as current treatment recommendations are summarized, and some of the challenges for the future are outlined. Refinement of diagnosis and clarification of the pathogenesis are required in search for disease-modifying treatments.
Topics: Humans; Lewy Body Disease; Parkinson Disease; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
PubMed: 28330542
DOI: No ID Found -
Revista de Neurologia May 2018Virtual reality technology was first used in the treatment of psychological disorders in 1994. Since then, its application has aroused the interest of clinicians and... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Virtual reality technology was first used in the treatment of psychological disorders in 1994. Since then, its application has aroused the interest of clinicians and researchers, and it has become a potential tool for use in psychological evaluation and neurorehabilitation.
AIM
To review the different studies that have been published on the treatment of dementias in which virtual reality has been used, with the aim of evaluating its efficacy.
DEVELOPMENT
A search was conducted over the last 10 years (2007-2017) in different databases (PubMed, PsycINFO and Dialnet), as well as in Google Scholar. Few studies were found and, judging by the results that were obtained, they cannot be said to be conclusive, although they do offer certain evidence suggesting that virtual reality is a promising field for intervention in persons with dementia.
CONCLUSIONS
Virtual reality is a growing and very promising area for psychological intervention in general, and more particularly for the treatment of dementia. It seems to enjoy a very favourable acceptance among persons suffering from dementia. Nevertheless, it is important to understand the new technologies as a tool rather than as a substitute for the therapist. Likewise, there is a need for more rigorous and systematic research that determines the efficacy of this kind of intervention.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cognitive Dysfunction; Dementia; Humans; Memory Disorders; Neuronal Plasticity; Psychomotor Performance; Therapy, Computer-Assisted; Treatment Outcome; Virtual Reality
PubMed: 29749595
DOI: No ID Found -
Brain Pathology (Zurich, Switzerland) Jan 2012Dementias are a varied group of disorders typically associated with memory loss, impaired judgment and/or language and by symptoms affecting other cognitive and social... (Review)
Review
Dementias are a varied group of disorders typically associated with memory loss, impaired judgment and/or language and by symptoms affecting other cognitive and social abilities to a degree that interferes with daily functioning. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of a progressive dementia, followed by dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), (VaD) and HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). The pathogenesis of this group of disorders has been linked to the abnormal accumulation of proteins in the brains of affected individuals, which in turn has been related to deficits in protein clearance. Autophagy is a key cellular protein clearance pathway with proteolytic cleavage and degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway representing another important clearance mechanism. Alterations in the levels of autophagy and the proteins associated with the autophagocytic pathway have been reported in various types of dementias. This review will examine recent literature across these disorders and highlight a common theme of altered autophagy across the spectrum of the dementias.
Topics: Autophagy; Brain; Dementia; Humans; Nerve Tissue Proteins
PubMed: 22150925
DOI: 10.1111/j.1750-3639.2011.00545.x -
The American Journal of Managed Care Dec 2007Dementia care is a significant and growing healthcare need that will have major economic and medical impact as the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related... (Review)
Review
Dementia care is a significant and growing healthcare need that will have major economic and medical impact as the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias continues to increase in the United States during the next 50 years. The ability to differentiate the signs and symptoms of the most common dementing illnesses - AD, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies - is essential to dementia care and management. Additionally, dementia patients in longterm care (LTC) facilities are prone to significantly greater risk of negative outcomes compared with nondemented residents as a result of a decline in activities of daily living, physical capacities, and behavioral manifestations. Careful and active assessment of risk factors and their management provides opportunities for improving outcomes. These include behavioral manifestations of pain, wandering, and risks of malnutrition, falls and injuries, and restraint use. Specific nonpharmacologic interventions to promote restraint- and pain-free care in LTC are highlighted.
Topics: Activities of Daily Living; Caregivers; Dementia; Humans; Long-Term Care; Patient Care Management; Prevalence; Restraint, Physical; United States
PubMed: 18095782
DOI: No ID Found -
Arquivos de Neuro-psiquiatria May 2022The field of neurodegenerative dementia genetics has advanced significantly over the past two decades, but there are still more to be discovered (such as the gene... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The field of neurodegenerative dementia genetics has advanced significantly over the past two decades, but there are still more to be discovered (such as the gene mutation in some familial forms of dementia).
OBJECTIVE
to provide a brief review of the most recent discoveries regarding monogenic dementia, and covering the most frequent genetic diseases that can cause dementia (neurodegenerative or not).
METHODS
a review of the literature will be carried out.
RESULTS
neurodegenerative dementias, vascular dementias and leukoencephalopathies caused by single pathogenic variants are presented.
CONCLUSION
The spectrum of clinical presentations for most of the genes discussed is wide, and hence genetic testing in clinic should try to cover as many genes as possible.
Topics: Dementia; Humans; Mutation
PubMed: 35976293
DOI: 10.1590/0004-282X-ANP-2022-S103 -
Environmental Research Nov 2023The ageing population has been steadily increasing worldwide, leading to a higher risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Environmental toxicants, particularly metals,... (Review)
Review
The ageing population has been steadily increasing worldwide, leading to a higher risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Environmental toxicants, particularly metals, have been identified as modifiable risk factors for cognitive impairment. Continuous exposure to metals occurs mainly through dietary sources, with older adults being particularly vulnerable. However, imbalances in the gut microbiota, known as dysbiosis, have also been associated with dementia. A literature review was conducted to explore the potential role of metals in the development of cognitive decline and the most prevalent primary neurodegenerative dementias, as well as their interaction with the gut microbiota. High levels of iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) are associated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), while low selenium (Se) levels are linked to poor cognitive status. Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD) is associated with elevated levels of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn), but the role of copper (Cu) remains unclear. The relationship between metals and Lewy body dementia (LBD) requires further investigation. High aluminium (Al) exposure is associated with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and elevated selenium (Se) levels may be linked to its onset. Challenges in comparing studies arise from the heterogeneity of metal analysis matrices and analytical techniques, as well as the limitations of small study cohorts. More research is needed to understand the influence of metals on cognition through the gut microbiota (GMB) and its potential relevance in the development of these diseases.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Dementia; Copper; Selenium; Parkinson Disease; Metals; Alzheimer Disease; Cognitive Dysfunction; Iron
PubMed: 37487923
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116722 -
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences :... Sep 1998Chromosome 17-linked dementias have been defined by linkage analysis. The most common of these syndromes has been estimated to be the cause of between 2 and 20% of all... (Review)
Review
Chromosome 17-linked dementias have been defined by linkage analysis. The most common of these syndromes has been estimated to be the cause of between 2 and 20% of all dementia and has alternately been called frontotemporal dementia, Pick's disease (without Pick bodies) and dementia lacking distinctive features [1-3]. The identification of the mutation responsible for these conditions in a group of clinically and pathologically heterogeneous disorders may allow us to gain broad insight into the processes of neurodegeneration.
Topics: Chromosome Mapping; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17; Dementia; Genetic Linkage; Humans; Mutation; Nerve Degeneration; Syndrome; tau Proteins
PubMed: 9791534
DOI: 10.1007/s000180050221 -
Revista de Investigacion Clinica;... 2016The most common dementias such as Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia are associated with a decline in cognitive and... (Review)
Review
The most common dementias such as Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia are associated with a decline in cognitive and social abilities. Although the molecular mechanisms of tissue damage in these dementias are not completely understood, these neurodegenerative illnesses share certain alterations such as neuroinflammation and gliosis. Increasing evidence suggests that microgliosis and astrogliosis play a key role in neuroinflammation observed in these dementias. Here we provide an overview of the participation of microglia and astrocytes in the neuroinflammatory response in common dementias.
Topics: Aged; Astrocytes; Cognition Disorders; Dementia; Humans; Inflammation; Microglia; Neurodegenerative Diseases
PubMed: 27028176
DOI: No ID Found