Incidence, diagnostic criteria and outcome following ventriculoperitoneal shunting of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus in a memory clinic population: a prospective observational cross-sectional and cohort study.

Objective: To evaluate diagnostic criteria for idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH) among patients with memory impairment, and to estimate the incidence of INPH.

Design: Prospective observational cross-section and cohort study of diagnostic accuracy.

Setting: Memory Disorders Clinic following referral by the medical practitioners.

A community-based exercise programme to improve functional ability in people with Alzheimer's disease: a randomized controlled trial.

Rationale: Dementia is a common neurodegenerative condition in older age associated with functional decline across multiple domains. This decline impacts not only on the person with dementia, but also on their informal carers and health and aged care systems. With the number of people with dementia rapidly increasing and few effective treatments, there is now a critical need for interventions to improve functional ability in those with the condition.

Blood pressure, dementia and Alzheimer's disease: the OPTIMA longitudinal study.

Background/aims: Studies on the relation between blood pressure (BP), dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) have yielded inconsistent results, showing an association with high or low BP, or no association with BP. The study was designed to look at the longitudinal effect of BP on cognitive function.

Methods: Participants were part of the OPTIMA longitudinal study of patients with dementia and agematched cognitively healthy controls.

A prospective study of ventriculo-peritoneal shunting for idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus.

Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH) is a potentially treatable form of dementia but its diagnosis is difficult and the effectiveness of shunting remains controversial. This study investigates the clinical outcomes of ventriculo-peritoneal shunting in a controlled trial of 33 consecutive patients with INPH. Mean age was 77.

Galantamine in Alzheimer's disease.

Galantamine is a cholinesterase inhibitor with a dual mechanism of action. It is a reversible inhibitor of acetylcholine esterase and enhances the intrinsic action of acetylcholine on nicotinic receptors, leading to increased cholinergic neurotransmission in the CNS. Galantamine has a large volume clearance, low plasma protein binding and a high bioavailability.

The metabolic syndrome and Alzheimer disease.

Background: The metabolic syndrome is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, which have been linked to Alzheimer disease. However, a link between Alzheimer disease and the metabolic syndrome has not yet been established.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the metabolic syndrome and Alzheimer disease.

Obesity, abdominal obesity and Alzheimer disease.

Background/aims: Obesity has a strong association with vascular and metabolic diseases, which have been linked with Alzheimer disease (AD). While recent studies have reported an association between mid-life obesity and dementia, the role of later-life obesity is less clear. This study investigated the relation between AD, obesity and abdominal obesity at later-life in a case-control study.