Blood pro-inflammatory cytokines in Alzheimer's disease in relation to the use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.

Objective: A potential anti-inflammatory role for acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) has been supported by animal studies. As very limited data exist from individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD), the aim of this study was to assess the potential influence of AChEIs on blood pro-inflammatory cytokines. We hypothesized that pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations were lower in individuals with AD stabilized on AChEIs.

Low 25OH vitamin D2 levels found in untreated Alzheimer's patients, compared to acetylcholinesterase-inhibitor treated and controls.

Following contradictory reports, the aim of this study was to apply our highly specific novel assay to delineate the relationship between vitamin D forms and Alzheimer's disease. The study incorporated patients, both untreated and treated with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, along with controls. Patients were grouped as A: untreated (n=26) and B: treated with donepezil, rivastigmine or galantamine (n=44).

Antioxidant enzymatic activities in Alzheimer's disease: the relationship to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.

The mode of action of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is mainly by potentiating neuronal transmission. Animal studies have also consistently described a role for AChEIs in enhancement of antioxidants and attenuation of oxidative stress. The influence of AChEIs on blood antioxidants in AD patients has not been established before.

Impact of cerebrovascular pathology on behavioural and neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with Alzheimer's dementia: findings from a retrospective, naturalistic study.

Aim: Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) has been associated with depression and a host of neuropsychiatric conditions including dementia. This study assessed the relationship between cerebrovascular findings reported on MRI brain scans and neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) and behavioural problems in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: Medical notes were retrospectively reviewed in patients undergoing brain MRI following referral for cognitive impairment to a memory clinic between January 2004 and June 2008.

Prevalence and cognitive impact of cerebrovascular findings in Alzheimer's disease: a retrospective, naturalistic study.

Aims: Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is a major risk factor for cognitive decline associated with progression to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia. The objective of this study was to retrospectively assess the prevalence of CVD and its cognitive impact in patients with AD in everyday clinical practice.

Methods: Medical notes were retrospectively reviewed for all individuals who presented at East Sussex Memory Clinic (2004-2008) for investigation of cognitive impairment and had brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as part of their clinical work-up.