Plasma p-tau181 and GFAP reflect 7T MR-derived changes in Alzheimer's disease: A longitudinal study of structural and functional MRI and MRS.

Background: Associations between longitudinal changes of plasma biomarkers and cerebral magnetic resonance (MR)-derived measurements in Alzheimer's disease (AD) remain unclear.

Methods: In a study population (n = 127) of healthy older adults and patients within the AD continuum, we examined associations between longitudinal plasma amyloid beta 42/40 ratio, tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 (p-tau181), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neurofilament light chain (NfL), and 7T structural and functional MR imaging and spectroscopy using linear mixed models.

Results: Increases in both p-tau181 and GFAP showed the strongest associations to 7T MR-derived measurements, particularly with decreasing parietal cortical thickness, decreasing connectivity of the salience network, and increasing neuroinflammation as determined by MR spectroscopy (MRS) myo-inositol.

Reserve, resilience and maintenance of episodic memory and other cognitive functions in aging.

We tested if cognitive and brain reserve and maintenance explain individual differences in episodic memory and other cognitive domains from late middle to early older adulthood. We used The Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging data (n=1604 men) with episodic memory measured at mean ages of 56, 62 and 68 years, and magnetic resonance imaging data for a subsample of participants (n=321). Cognitive reserve -young adult general cognitive ability at a mean age of 20 years and, to a lesser degree, educational attainment- was positively related to episodic memory performance at each assessment, but not to memory change.

ArcheD, a residual neural network for prediction of cerebrospinal fluid amyloid-beta from amyloid PET images.

Detection and measurement of amyloid-beta (Aβ) in the brain is a key factor for early identification and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We aimed to develop a deep learning model to predict Aβ cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentration directly from amyloid PET images, independent of tracers, brain reference regions or preselected regions of interest. We used 1870 Aβ PET images and CSF measurements to train and validate a convolutional neural network ("ArcheD").

Intravenous Injection of PEI-Decorated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Impacts NF-kappaB Protein Expression in Immunologically Stressed Mice.

Nanoparticle-based formulations are considered valuable tools for diagnostic and treatment purposes. The surface decoration of nanoparticles with polyethyleneimine (PEI) is often used to enhance their targeting and functional properties. Here, we aimed at addressing the long-term fate and the potential "off-target" effects of PEI decorated iron oxide nanoparticles (PEI-MNPs) in individuals with low-grade and persistent systemic inflammation.

Association of spermidine blood levels with microstructure of sleep-implications from a population-based study.

Deteriorations in slow wave sleep (SWS) have been linked to brain aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD), possibly due to its key role in clearance of amyloid-beta and tau (Aß/tau), two pathogenic hallmarks of AD. Spermidine administration has been shown to improve sleep quality in animal models. So far, the association between spermidine levels in humans and parameters of SWS physiology are unknown but may be valuable for therapeutic strategies.

A FinnGen pilot clinical recall study for Alzheimer's disease.

Successful development of novel therapies requires that clinical trials are conducted in patient cohorts with the highest benefit-to-risk ratio. Population-based biobanks with comprehensive health and genetic data from large numbers of individuals hold promise to facilitate identification of trial participants, particularly when interventions need to start while symptoms are still mild, such as for Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study describes a process for clinical recall studies from FinnGen.

ArcheD, a residual neural network for prediction of cerebrospinal fluid amyloid-beta from amyloid PET images.

Detection and measurement of amyloid-beta (Aβ) aggregation in the brain is a key factor for early identification and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We aimed to develop a deep learning model to predict Aβ cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentration directly from amyloid PET images, independent of tracers, brain reference regions or preselected regions of interest. We used 1870 Aβ PET images and CSF measurements to train and validate a convolutional neural network ("ArcheD").

re-emerges as a cause of community-acquired pneumonia, including frequent co-infection with SARS-CoV-2, in Germany, 2021.

https://bit.ly/3JMlwFt.

Co-twin design in brain imaging-review on biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease.

Twin samples allow to conduct a quasi-experimental co-twin case-control approach that can control for genetic and environmental confounding in brain-cognition associations, being more informative on causality compared with studies in unrelated individuals. We conducted a review of studies that have utilized discordant co-twin design to investigate the associations of brain imaging markers of Alzheimer's disease and cognition. Inclusion criteria encompassed twin pairs discordant for cognition or Alzheimer's disease imaging markers and reporting of within-twin pair comparison on the association between cognition and brain measures.

Association of spermidine plasma levels with brain aging in a population-based study.

Introduction: Supplementation with spermidine may support healthy aging, but elevated spermidine tissue levels were shown to be an indicator of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: Data from 659 participants (age range: 21-81 years) of the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania TREND were included. We investigated the association between spermidine plasma levels and markers of brain aging (hippocampal volume, AD score, global cortical thickness [CT], and white matter hyperintensities [WMH]).

Injection Molding of Magnesium Aluminate Spinel Nanocomposites for High-Throughput Manufacturing of Transparent Ceramics.

Transparent ceramics like magnesium aluminate spinel (MAS) are considered the next step in material evolution showing unmatched mechanical, chemical and physical resistance combined with high optical transparency. Unfortunately, transparent ceramics are notoriously difficult to shape, especially on the microscale. Therefore, a thermoplastic MAS nanocomposite is developed that can be shaped by polymer injection molding at high speed and precision.

Effects of Spermidine Supplementation on Cognition and Biomarkers in Older Adults With Subjective Cognitive Decline: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Developing interventions against age-related memory decline and for older adults experiencing neurodegenerative disease is one of the greatest challenges of our generation. Spermidine supplementation has shown beneficial effects on brain and cognitive health in animal models, and there has been preliminary evidence of memory improvement in individuals with subjective cognitive decline.

Objective: To determine the effect of longer-term spermidine supplementation on memory performance and biomarkers in this at-risk group.

Negative affective burden is associated with higher resting-state functional connectivity in subjective cognitive decline.

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD), as expressed by older adults, is associated with negative affect, which, in turn, is a likely risk factor for Alzheimer's Disease (AD). This study assessed the associations between negative affective burden, cognitive functioning, and functional connectivity in networks vulnerable to AD in the context of SCD. Older participants (60-90 years) with SCD (n = 51) and healthy controls (n = 50) were investigated in a cross-sectional study.

Severity of Subjective Cognitive Complaints and Worries in Older Adults Are Associated With Cerebral Amyloid-β Load.

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is considered an early risk stage for dementia due to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the development of pathological brain changes, such as the aggregation of amyloid-beta (amyloid-β) plaques. This study evaluates the association between specific features of SCD and cerebral amyloid-β load measured by positron emission tomography (PET) with F-florbetaben in 40 cognitively normal older individuals. Global amyloid-β, as well as regional amyloid-β load for the frontal, temporal, parietal, and cingulate cortex, was quantified.

Spermidine intake is associated with cortical thickness and hippocampal volume in older adults.

Background: The natural polyamine spermidine, known to be important for cellular function, decreases during aging. Previous research has demonstrated beneficial impact of spermidine intake on memory functions in both animal models and humans, suggesting that spermidine may be a preventive approach to delay age-related cognitive decline and possibly even Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the association of spermidine intake with brain health in humans is still unknown.

Highly Porous Platinum Electrodes for Dry Ear-EEG Measurements.

The interest in dry electroencephalography (EEG) electrodes has increased in recent years, especially as everyday suitability earplugs for measuring drowsiness or focus of auditory attention. However, the challenge is still the need for a good electrode material, which is reliable and can be easily processed for highly personalized applications. Laser processing, as used here, is a fast and very precise method to produce personalized electrode configurations that meet the high requirements of in-ear EEG electrodes.

Effects of spermidine supplementation on cognition and biomarkers in older adults with subjective cognitive decline (SmartAge)-study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Given the global increase in the aging population and age-related diseases, the promotion of healthy aging is one of the most crucial public health issues. This trial aims to contribute to the establishment of effective approaches to promote cognitive and brain health in older individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD). Presence of SCD is known to increase the risk of objective cognitive decline and progression to dementia due to Alzheimer's disease.

The effect of spermidine on memory performance in older adults at risk for dementia: A randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Nutritional intervention with the natural polyamine spermidine, an autophagy-enhancing agent, can prevent memory loss in aging model organisms. This is the first human study to evaluate the impact of spermidine supplementation on memory performance in older adults at risk for the development of Alzheimer's disease.

Methods: Cognitively intact participants with subjective cognitive decline (n = 30, 60-80 years of age) were included in this three-months, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind Phase IIa pilot trial with a spermidine-rich plant extract supplement.

Functional connectivity in cognitive control networks mitigates the impact of white matter lesions in the elderly.

Background: Cerebrovascular pathology, quantified by white matter lesions (WML), is known to affect cognition in aging, and is associated with an increased risk of dementia. The present study aimed to investigate whether higher functional connectivity in cognitive control networks mitigates the detrimental effect of WML on cognition.

Methods: Nondemented older participants (≥ 50 years; n = 230) underwent cognitive evaluation, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Safety and tolerability of spermidine supplementation in mice and older adults with subjective cognitive decline.

Supplementation of spermidine, an autophagy-inducing agent, has been shown to protect against neurodegeneration and cognitive decline in aged animal models. The present translational study aimed to determine safety and tolerability of a wheat germ extract containing enhanced spermidine concentrations. In a preclinical toxicity study, supplementation of spermidine using this extract did not result in morbidities or changes in behavior in BALBc/Rj mice during the 28-days repeated-dose tolerance study.

Laser-assisted photoablation of human pluripotent stem cells from differentiating cultures.

Due to their pluripotency and their self-renewal capacity, human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) provide fascinating perspectives for biomedical applications. In the long term, hPSC-derived tissue-specific cells will constitute an important source for cell replacement therapies in non-regenerative organs. These therapeutic approaches, however, will critically depend on the purity of the in vitro differentiated cell populations.

Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (UMTS, 1,950 MHz) induce genotoxic effects in vitro in human fibroblasts but not in lymphocytes.

Objective: Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) was recently introduced as the third generation mobile communication standard in Europe. This was done without any information on biological effects and genotoxic properties of these particular high-frequency electromagnetic fields. This is discomforting, because genotoxic effects of the second generation standard Global System for Mobile Communication have been reported after exposure of human cells in vitro.

Non-thermal DNA breakage by mobile-phone radiation (1800 MHz) in human fibroblasts and in transformed GFSH-R17 rat granulosa cells in vitro.

Cultured human diploid fibroblasts and cultured rat granulosa cells were exposed to intermittent and continuous radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) used in mobile phones, with different specific absorption rates (SAR) and different mobile-phone modulations. DNA strand breaks were determined by means of the alkaline and neutral comet assay. RF-EMF exposure (1800 MHz; SAR 1.