Publications by authors named "D F Wittenberg"

Article Synopsis
  • A significant portion of familial frontotemporal dementia is linked to issues with the TAR DNA-binding protein 43, particularly for those with specific genetic mutations in the Chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 and progranulin genes.
  • The study aimed to examine changes in white matter in the brains of individuals with these mutations before they show symptoms of dementia, utilizing MRI techniques to assess both longitudinal and cross-sectional data.
  • Findings indicated that while baseline white-matter signal abnormalities were similar between mutation carriers and noncarriers, mutation carriers experienced a notably higher annual rate of accumulation in these abnormalities over time.
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Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a neurodegenerative disease with a strong genetic basis. Understanding the structural brain changes during pre-symptomatic stages may allow for earlier diagnosis of patients suffering from FTD; therefore, we investigated asymptomatic members of FTD families with mutations in and granulin () genes. Clinically asymptomatic subjects from families with mutation (15 mutation carriers, +; and 23 non-carriers, -) and mutations (9 mutation carriers, +; and 15 non-carriers, -) underwent structural neuroimaging (MRI).

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Introduction: Freely accessible online tests for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are widely available. The objective of this study was to evaluate these tests along three dimensions as follows: (1) scientific validity; (2) human-computer interaction (HCI) features; and (3) ethics features.

Methods: A sample of 16 online tests was identified through a keyword search.

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Mutations in the progranulin gene (GRN) are a common cause of familial frontotemporal dementia. We used a comprehensive neuropsychological battery to investigate whether early cognitive changes could be detected in GRN mutation carriers before dementia onset. Twenty-four at-risk members from six families with known GRN mutations underwent detailed neuropsychological testing.

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