Building expert consensus regarding sharing of individual research results in Alzheimer's disease research: a Delphi study protocol.

Introduction: Informed decisions to enrol in the clinical investigations of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) require careful consideration of complex risks and uncertain benefits. Decisions regarding whether to receive information about biomarker status are complicated by lack of scientific consensus regarding biomarkers as surrogate endpoints for Alzheimer's disease and how information about individual risk should be evaluated and shared with research participants. This study aims to establish stakeholder consensus regarding ethically optimal approaches to sharing individual results with ADRD research participants.

Relationships between plasma biomarkers, tau PET, FDG PET, and volumetric MRI in mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease patients.

Introduction: The "A/T/N" (amyloid/tau/neurodegeneration) framework provides a biological basis for Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis and can encompass additional changes such as inflammation ("I"). A spectrum of T/N/I imaging and plasma biomarkers was acquired in a phase 2 clinical trial of rasagiline in mild to moderate AD patients. We evaluated these to understand biomarker distributions and relationships within this population.

Lewy body pathology modifies risk factors for cerebral amyloid angiopathy when comorbid with Alzheimer's disease pathology.

Introduction: Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) often accompanies dementia-associated pathologies and is important in the context of anti-amyloid monoclonal therapies and risk of hemorrhage.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective neuropathology-confirmed study of 2384 participants in the National Alzheimer Coordinating Center cohort (Alzheimer's disease [AD], n = 1175; Lewy body pathology [LBP], n = 316; and mixed AD and LBP [AD-LBP], n = 893). We used logistic regression to evaluate age, sex, education, APOE ε4, neuritic plaques, and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in CAA risk.

The Application of Zonisamide to Patients Suffering from Dementia with Lewy Bodies: Emerging Clinical Data.

Zonisamide is an anti-epileptic medication with multiple mechanisms of action and a favorable safety profile. Zonisamide may interact with Lewy body dementia pathophysiology through a mechanism unrelated to its original indication. Zonisamide has shown efficacy as adjunct therapy for the management of motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Rasagiline effects on glucose metabolism, cognition, and tau in Alzheimer's dementia.

Background: A Phase II proof of concept (POC) randomized clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of rasagiline, a monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitor approved for Parkinson disease, in mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). The primary objective was to determine if 1 mg of rasagiline daily for 24 weeks is associated with improved regional brain metabolism (fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography [FDG-PET]) compared to placebo. Secondary objectives included measurement of effects on tau PET and evaluation of directional consistency of clinical end points.

Dementia Care in the Time of COVID-19 Pandemic.

Patients with dementia are particularly vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial response to COVID-19 promoted behavioral changes in both society and healthcare, while a long-term solution is sought by prioritizing societal values. In addition, there has been disruption to clinical care and clinical research.

Effects of a combined transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and cognitive training intervention in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Introduction: This clinical trial evaluates the efficacy and safety of a 6-week course of daily neuroAD™ therapy.

Methods: 131 subjects between 60 and 90 years old, unmedicated for Alzheimer's disease (AD), or on stable doses of an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and/or memantine, with Mini-Mental State Examination scores between 18 and 26, clinical dementia rating scale scores of 1 or 2, enrolled for a prospective, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, multicenter clinical trial. Structural brain MRIs were obtained for transcranial magnetic stimulation targeting.

Clinical and Imaging Characteristics Associated with Color Vision Impairment in Lewy Body Disease.

Background: Color vision impairment (CVI) has been reported in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and prodromal Lewy body disease (pro-LBD).

Objective: In order to better characterize the diagnostic value of CVI testing, we compared the prevalence of CVI in patients with with Lewy body disease compared to Alzheimer's disease (AD), and we examined clinical and imaging characteristics associated with CVI in patients with DLB and suspected pro-LBD.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records, dopamine transporter (DaT-SPECT) imaging, and volumetric MRI from patients with AD, DLB, and suspected pro-LBD who underwent an online Farnsworth D-15 color vision test.

Amygdala sign, a FDG-PET signature of dementia with Lewy Bodies.

Background: Biomarkers are being used increasingly to support the diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Novel biomarkers that increase diagnostic specificity of DLB are needed. We assessed previously known FDG-PET occipital cortex hypometabolism, and cingulate island sign biomarkers of DLB against a novel amygdala signature.

5HT6 Antagonists in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Dementia: Current Progress.

Alzheimer's disease is an important condition with a considerable and unmet disease burden in large need of continued research and more treatment options. The 5HT6 antagonists are a new class of medications to be offered. Because they are pro-cholinergic, these medications are to be used as adjuncts to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (such as donepezil), further increasing acetylcholine in the central nervous system (CNS).

Color Vision Impairment Differentiates Alzheimer Dementia From Dementia With Lewy Bodies.

Objective: Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is frequently misdiagnosed for Alzheimer dementia (AD), especially in its earlier stages. We characterized color vision impairment (CVI) in patients with DLB versus patients with AD to determine its usefulness in improving accuracy of early diagnosis.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed charts of patients with AD, DLB, and patients with mild cognitive impairment suspected to be in the prodromal phase of DLB (pro-DLB) or prodromal phase of AD (pro-AD).

Diagnosis and Management of Cognitive and Behavioral Changes in Dementia With Lewy Bodies.

Proper diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) in clinical practice remains suboptimal as many cases are misdiagnosed, usually as Alzheimer disease (AD) or Parkinson's disease (PD) and, in rare cases, psychosis. Therefore, it is important for patients with dementia to be thoroughly evaluated by a specialist who is familiar with current diagnostic tests and treatment options. New diagnostic criteria from the Dementia with Lewy Bodies Consortium have been developed to increase diagnostic sensitivity for DLB (Diagnosis and management of dementia with Lewy bodies: fourth consensus report of the DLB Consortium; McKeith et al.

Utility of Montreal Cognitive Assessment in Differentiating Dementia With Lewy Bodies From Alzheimer's Dementia.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are the 2 most common neurodegenerative dementias. Identification of patients with DLB is necessary to guide appropriate clinical management and medication trials. Patients with DLB are reported to perform poorly on tasks of visuospatial and executive function, compared to patients with AD who perform poorly on memory tasks.

ALZ i-Connect.

Currently, there is not enough time or staff in the physician's office to provide education about Alzheimer's disease for newly diagnosed patients and their family members. The Alzheimer's Association Cleveland Area Chapter has implemented a novel approach for individuals to connect to helpful information about Alzheimer's disease and related dementias while at the physician's office. This project is being piloted at two memory assessment clinics of The Cleveland Clinic as a way to give assessment center staff the opportunity to connect families right away with the free support services available at the Association.

The emerging role of bexarotene in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: current evidence.

In 2012, a novel approach to the treatment of Alzheimer's disease was introduced, heralding a wave of excitement in the field of dementia. Bexarotene, a retinoid X receptor agonist, was shown to reverse neurodegeneration, improve cognition, and decrease levels of amyloid-β in transgenic mice expressing familial Alzheimer disease mutations. Since then, there has been widespread discussion about bexarotene, as well as a number of follow-up studies.

Don't forget non-Alzheimer dementias.

Dementia is commonly encountered in the elderly, with prevalence increasing with age. Although Alzheimer disease is the most recognized form of dementia, other types have distinct clinical features and are often overlooked. Proper identification aids patients, caregivers, and physicians in planning and management.

Falls related to accidental deactivation of deep brain stimulators in patients with Parkinson's disease living in long term care facilities.

This case series highlights three patients with Parkinson's disease residing at nursing home facilities whose deep brain stimulators were accidentally deactivated for varying lengths of time, which was associated with an increase in falls. In all three cases, neither the patients nor the caregivers were aware of the random deactivations/reactivations. We propose a specific care plan for these patients that includes further education of caregivers regarding deep brain stimulators and regular checks of the review device, especially when there is concern about a patient's mobility or balance that is out of character.

Movement disorder emergencies in the elderly: recognizing and treating an often-iatrogenic problem.

Movement disorder emergencies in the elderly--such as rigidity, dystonia, hyperkinetic movements, and psychiatric disturbances--are challenging to manage. Many case, are iatrogenic. In theory, some cases could be avoidedby anticipating them and by avoiding polypharmacy and potentially dangerous drug interactions.