Assessing the metabolism of the olfactory circuit by use of F-FDG PET-CT imaging in patients suspected of suffering from Alzheimer's disease or frontotemporal dementia.

Purpose: The loss of olfactory function is known to occur in patients suffering from (behavioral variant) frontotemporal dementia ((bv)FTD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), although different pathophysiological mechanisms underpin this clinical symptom in both disorders. This study assessed whether brain metabolism of the olfactory circuit as assessed by positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with 2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose ([F]-FDG) can distinguish these entities in different subsets of patients.

Methods: Patients presenting with cognitive decline were included from a prospectively kept database: (1) bvFTD patients, (2) AD patients and (3) patients with logopenic primary progressive aphasia (PPA).

Discrepancies in corrected calcium versus ionised calcium in a geriatric population: an observational study.

Background: Calcium can be measured as ionised (Ca-ionised) or albumin-adjusted total calcium (Ca-albumin). Current clinical guidelines predominantly utilise Ca-albumin, despite Ca-ionised being the gold standard. Discrepancies can occur between these measurement modalities and can lead to clinical dilemmas.

Use of a digital tool to support the diagnostic process in memory clinics-a usability study.

Background: Both memory clinic professionals and patients see value in digital tools, yet these hardly find their way to clinical practice. We explored the usability of a digital tool to support the diagnostic work-up in daily memory clinic practice. We evaluated four modules that integrate multi-modal patient data (1.

Recognition of cognitive dysfunction in hospitalised older patients: a flash mob study.

Background: It is important that healthcare professionals recognise cognitive dysfunction in hospitalised older patients in order to address associated care needs, such as enhanced involvement of relatives and extra cognitive and functional support. However, studies analysing medical records suggest that healthcare professionals have low awareness of cognitive dysfunction in hospitalised older patients. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of cognitive dysfunction in hospitalised older patients, the percentage of patients in which cognitive dysfunction was recognised by healthcare professionals, and which variables were associated with recognition.

Young-onset dementia in memory clinics in the Netherlands: Study design and description of PRECODE-GP.

The disease trajectory and healthcare requirements of patients with young-onset dementia (YOD) differ from those of older patients. Accurate data about YOD is crucial to improve diagnosis and optimize care. PRECODE-GP aims to set up a prospective national database of patients with YOD to gain insight into the occurrence and characteristics of patients with YOD in memory clinics in the Netherlands.

Low dose oral haloperidol does not prolong QTc interval in older acutely hospitalised adults: a subanalysis of a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study.

Background: Haloperidol is the most frequently prescribed antipsychotic for delirium symptoms. The risk of QTc prolongation often raises concerns, although the effect of haloperidol on QTc interval has not yet been investigated in a randomised placebo-controlled fixed-dose study.

Methods: A subanalysis of a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study was conducted to evaluate the effect of prophylactic haloperidol 1 mg or placebo 1 mg orally twice-daily (maximum of 14 doses) on QTc interval in patients aged 70 years and over.

Association Between Urinary Tract Infections and Antipsychotic Drug Use in Older Adults.

Antipsychotic drugs are frequently prescribed to older adults, but they may be associated with serious adverse effects. The objective was to investigate the association between use of antipsychotics in older adults and the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs).This study was designed as a cohort study.

Prophylactic Use of Haloperidol and Changes in Glucose Levels in Hospitalized Older Patients.

Background: Treatment with antipsychotic drugs has been associated with glucose dysregulation in older outpatients, especially in the early stage of therapy. The underlying mechanism is, however, unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in glucose levels during haloperidol use compared with the use of placebo among older hospitalized patients.

Haloperidol versus placebo for delirium prevention in acutely hospitalised older at risk patients: a multi-centre double-blind randomised controlled clinical trial.

Background: because the few randomised placebo-controlled trials investigating the potential role for prophylactic haloperidol in delirium prevention have focused on specific surgical populations, we investigated its efficacy and safety in acutely hospitalised older patients.

Methods: this multi-centre, double-blind, stratified, block randomised, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at six Dutch hospitals. Patients age ≥70 years, acutely admitted through the emergency department for general medicine or surgical specialties and at risk for delirium were randomised (n = 245) to haloperidol or placebo 1 mg orally twice-daily (maximum of 14 doses) on top of standard nonpharmacological prevention strategies.

Antipsychotic drug use associated with urinary tract infections in older women.

Objectives: Antipsychotic drugs are frequently prescribed to elderly patients, but they are associated with serious adverse effects. The objective of the current study was to investigate the association between use of antipsychotics by elderly women and the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Cohort Study Setting: Dispensing data were obtained from the PHARMO Database Network for the period 1998-2008.

Rating scales to measure side effects of antipsychotic medication: A systematic review.

Introduction: Many patients experience side effects during treatment with antipsychotics. This article reviews the clinical use and psychometric characteristics of rating scales used to assess side effects in patients treated with antipsychotics.

Methods: A systematic literature search was performed using the electronic databases PubMed and Embase, with predefined search terms.

Efficacy and safety of haloperidol prophylaxis for delirium prevention in older medical and surgical at-risk patients acutely admitted to hospital through the emergency department: study protocol of a multicenter, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Background: Delirium is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality rates in elderly hospitalised patients, and a growing problem due to increase in life expectancy. Implementation of standardised non-pharmacological delirium prevention strategies is challenging and adherence remains low. Pharmacological delirium prevention with haloperidol, currently the drug of choice for delirium, seems promising.

Psychotropic medications, including short acting benzodiazepines, strongly increase the frequency of falls in elderly.

Objectives: Falls in the elderly are common and often serious. The aim of this study was to examine the association between the use of different classes of psychotropic medications, especially short acting benzodiazepines, and the frequency of falling in elderly. Study design This retrospective cohort study was performed with patients who visited the day clinic of the department of geriatric medicine of the University Medical Center Utrecht in the Netherlands between 1 January 2011 and 1 April 2012.