Importance: Patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) may progress to clinical Alzheimer disease (AD), remain stable, or revert to normal. Earlier progression to AD among patients who were β-amyloid positive vs those who were β-amyloid negative has been previously observed. Current research now accepts that a combination of biomarkers could provide greater refinement in the assessment of risk for clinical progression.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To test the hypothesis that core and suggestive features in possible dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) would vary in their ability to predict an abnormal dopamine transporter scan and therefore a follow-up diagnosis of probable DLB. A further objective was to assess the evolution of core and suggestive features in patients with possible DLB over time depending on the (123)I-FP-CIT SPECT scan result.
Methods: A total of 187 patients with possible DLB (dementia plus one core or one suggestive feature) were randomized to have dopamine transporter imaging or to follow-up without scan.
Background: Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is underrecognised in clinical settings.
Aims: To investigate whether performing a (123)I-ioflupane injection ((123)I-FP-CIT also called DaTSCAN™) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scan in patients with possible DLB would lead to a more certain diagnosis (probable DLB or non-DLB dementia).
Method: We randomised 187 patients with possible DLB 2:1 to have a scan or not (control group).
Cognitive decline seen in the normal elderly is associated with selective loss of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Nicotine given either by inhalation or transdermally helps cognition, but unacceptable side effects limit its utility. The present study assessed the safety, tolerability and effect on cognition of ispronicline, a highly selective partial agonist at the 4beta2 nAChR, in elderly subjects (n =76) with age associated memory impairment (AAMI).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To assess the safety and tolerability of three different dosing schedules of memantine in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Method: This 12-week, randomised, double-blind study, investigated three dosing schedules of memantine: OD1 (20 mg once daily with a 1-step up-titration); OD3 (20 mg once daily with a 3-step up-titration); and BID3 (10 mg twice daily with a 3-step up-titration as currently recommended in the memantine labelling). The study comprised 78 patients with moderate to severe AD (DSM-IV-TR criteria; MMSE score < or = 18), 70% of whom were on stable dosing of acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChEI) initiated > or = 3 months prior to study start.