Prediction of mild cognitive impairment that evolves into Alzheimer's disease dementia within two years using a gene expression signature in blood: a pilot study.

Background: The focus on Alzheimer's disease (AD) is shifting from dementia to the prodromal stage of the disorder, to a large extent due to increasing efforts in trying to develop disease modifying treatment for the disorder. For development of disease-modifying drugs, a reliable and accurate test for identification of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD is essential.

Objective: In the present study, MCI progressing to AD will be predicted using blood-based gene expression.

A novel blood test for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease.

Despite a variety of testing approaches, it is often difficult to make an accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), especially at an early stage of the disease. Diagnosis is based on clinical criteria as well as exclusion of other causes of dementia but a definitive diagnosis can only be made at autopsy. We have investigated the diagnostic value of a 96-gene expression array for detection of early AD.

Clinicians underestimate gastrointestinal symptoms and overestimate quality of life in renal transplant recipients: a multinational survey of nephrologists.

Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are common in renal transplant recipients and are associated with impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We investigated clinician attitudes to GI symptoms and HRQoL in these patients by surveying 145 nephrologists from Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Norway. In total, 79 clinicians responded.

Increased prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms associated with impaired quality of life in renal transplant recipients.

Background: Immunosuppressive therapies have been associated with gastrointestinal (GI) side effects, which may impair health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods: In this survey, 4,232 renal transplant recipients from Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden completed the Short-Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire and the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS). SF-36 scores were compared with country norm values.