Odor Identification Ability Predicts PET Amyloid Status and Memory Decline in Older Adults.

Background: Odor identification deficits occur in Alzheimer's disease (AD), as measured by the 40-item University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT).

Objective: To determine if UPSIT scores predict amyloid-β (Aβ) status, determined by 11C-Pittsburgh Compound B PET. We also compared UPSIT scores to Aβ status in predicting future memory decline.

Utility of Molecular and Structural Brain Imaging to Predict Progression from Mild Cognitive Impairment to Dementia.

This project compares three neuroimaging biomarkers to predict progression to dementia in subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Eighty-eight subjects with MCI and 40 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. Subjects had a 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, and two positron emission tomography (PET) scans, one with Pittsburgh compound B ([11C]PIB) and one with fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG).

Antibacterial effects of silver-zirconia composite coatings using pulsed laser deposition onto 316L SS for bio implants.

Bacterial invasion on biomedical implants is a challenging task for long-term and permanent implant fixations. Prevention of initial bacterial adherence on metallic implants is an important concern to avoid extracellular matrix (biofilm) secretion from bacteria that is resistant to antibacterial agents. In order to overcome this defect, recently, surface coatings such as zirconia (ZrO) with higher smoothness have been shown to improve implants durability.

MRI hippocampal and entorhinal cortex mapping in predicting conversion to Alzheimer's disease.

Objective: Using MRI surface morphometry mapping, to evaluate local deformations of the hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus, and entorhinal cortex in predicting conversion from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: Baseline brain MRI with surface morphological analysis was performed in 130 outpatients with MCI, broadly defined, and 61 healthy controls followed for an average of 4 years in a single site study.

Results: Patients with MCI differed from controls in several regions of the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex, and to a lesser extent in the parahippocampal gyrus.

Hydrocortisone responsiveness in Gulf War veterans with PTSD: effects on ACTH, declarative memory hippocampal [(18)F]FDG uptake on PET.

Neuroendocrine, cognitive and hippocampal alterations have been described in Gulf War (GW) veterans, but their inter-relationships and significance for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have not been described. Hydrocortisone (Hcort) was administered to GW veterans with (PTSD+ n=12) and without (PTSD- n=8) chronic PTSD in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind challenge. Changes in plasma ACTH, memory, and hippocampal [(18)F]FDG uptake on positron emission tomography were assessed.