Effect of Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors on Processing Speed and Executive Function in Three Racialized Groups.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been associated with increased risk for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Understanding the association of MetS risk factors to processing speed and executive function in the pre-clinical stages of ADRD in under-represented groups would offer insight on potential mechanisms through which MetS associates with ADRD risk.

Objective: Examine association of MetS features and processing speed and executive function across three racial groups.

An Examination of Brain Abnormalities and Mobility in Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease.

Mobility changes are concerning for elderly patients with cognitive decline. Given frail older individuals' vulnerability to injury, it is critical to identify contributors to limited mobility. To examine whether structural brain abnormalities, including reduced gray matter volume and white matter hyperintensities, would be associated with limited mobility among individuals with cognitive impairment, and to determine whether cognitive impairment would mediate this relationship.

Cognitive Effects of Soy Isoflavones in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease.

Background: In a previous trial, treatment with soy isoflavones was associated with improved nonverbal memory, construction abilities, verbal fluency, and speeded dexterity compared to treatment with placebo in cognitively healthy older adults.

Objective: The current trial aimed to examine the potential cognitive benefits of soy isoflavones in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Methods: Sixty-five men and women over the age of 60 were treated with 100 mg/day soy isoflavones, or matching placebo capsules for six months.

Disruption of caudate working memory activation in chronic blast-related traumatic brain injury.

Mild to moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to blast exposure is frequently diagnosed in veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, it is unclear whether neural damage resulting from blast TBI differs from that found in TBI due to blunt-force trauma (e.g.

Performance-based assessment of falls risk in older veterans with executive dysfunction.

Falling is a serious hazard for older veterans that may lead to severe injury, loss of independence, and death. While the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) provides guidelines to screen individuals at risk for falls, the guidelines may be less successful with specific subgroups of patients. In a veteran sample, we examined whether the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, including a modified version, the TUG-Cognition, effectively detected potential fallers whose risk was associated with cognitive deficits.

Declining cognition and falls: role of risky performance of everyday mobility activities.

Background: Declining cognition is a risk factor for falls among older adults. The extent to which impaired judgment in performance of daily activities increases fall risk is unclear.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether engagement in mobility activities in a risky manner explains the association between declining cognition and rate of falls.

Neural activation during response inhibition differentiates blast from mechanical causes of mild to moderate traumatic brain injury.

Military personnel involved in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) commonly experience blast-induced mild to moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI). In this study, we used task-activated functional MRI (fMRI) to determine if blast-related TBI has a differential impact on brain activation in comparison with TBI caused primarily by mechanical forces in civilian settings. Four groups participated: (1) blast-related military TBI (milTBI; n=21); (2) military controls (milCON; n=22); (3) non-blast civilian TBI (civTBI; n=21); and (4) civilian controls (civCON; n=23) with orthopedic injuries.

The identification and assessment of late-life ADHD in memory clinics.

Objective: Little data exist about ADHD in late life. While evaluating patients' memory problems, the memory clinic staff has periodically identified ADHD in previously undiagnosed older adults. The authors conducted a survey to assess the extent to which other memory clinics view ADHD as a relevant clinical issue.

Increased risk for falling associated with subtle cognitive impairment: secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial.

Background/aims: Having dementia increases patients' risk for accidental falls. However, it is unknown if having mild cognitive deficits also elevates a person's risk for falls. This study sought to clarify the relationship between subtle cognitive impairment, measured with a widely-used, clinic-based assessment, the Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE), and risk for falls.