Large‐Scale Analysis of the Plasma Proteome and Cognitive Correlates in Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.

Background: Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative tauopathy specific to individuals with repetitive head trauma. Traumatic encephalopathy syndrome (TES) is the proposed clinical syndrome resulting from CTE with or without other contributing neuropathologies. Pathophysiological mechanisms driving CTE and underlying TES symptoms are not understood.

Hispanic/Latino ethnicity moderates the plasma P‐tau217 and memory relationship in older adults across the cognitive continuum.

Background: Plasma P‐tau217 demonstrates strong sensitivity and specificity for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) neuropathological change, but existing studies are often ethnically homogeneous. Assumptions about how well plasma P‐tau217 relates to key AD‐related cognitive outcomes like memory may not generalize. We assessed whether the association between plasma P‐tau217 and memory depended on ethnicity in a sample of Hispanic/Latino and non‐Hispanic/Latino White older adults.

Utility of Plasma Biomarkers in Screening for Brain Amyloid in the 1Florida Alzheimer Disease Research Center (ADRC).

Background: With the emergence of anti‐amyloid drugs, there is an increased need to determine the presence of brain amyloid in people using non‐invasive, cost‐effective biomarkers. The goal of this study was to determine the added and stand‐alone value of plasma biomarkers for predicting positive amyloid PET in a mixed sample of Hispanic and non‐Hispanic older adults.

Method: Participants (n=209) from the 1Florida ADRC at Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach had neurological and neuropsychological evaluations; MRI, rated positive (Hpc+) or negative (Hpc‐) for hippocampal atrophy on visual read; amyloid PET brain scans, rated amyloid positive (A+) or negative (A‐) on visual read; blood draws for APOE ε4 genotyping (e4+, e4‐); and plasma biomarkers including Abeta 42/40 ratio (Quest Diagnostics), p‐tau217 (ALZPath), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and neurofilament light chain (NfL) (Quanterix).

Quick-reference criteria for identifying multivariate cognitive change in older adults with mild cognitive impairment and dementia: An ADNI study.

Objective: To establish quick-reference criteria regarding the frequency of statistically rare changes in seven neuropsychological measures administered to older adults.

Method: Data from 935 older adults examined over a two-year interval were obtained from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. The sample included 401 cognitively normal older adults whose scores were used to determine the natural distribution of change scores for seven cognitive measures and to set change score thresholds corresponding to the 5 percentile.

Neuroimaging and biofluid biomarkers across race and ethnicity in older adults across the spectrum of cognition.

Neuroimaging and biofluid biomarkers provide a proxy of pathological changes for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and are useful in improving diagnosis and assessing disease progression. However, it is not clear how race/ethnicity and different prevalence of AD risks impact biomarker levels. In this narrative review, we survey studies focusing on comparing biomarker differences between non-Hispanic White American(s) (NHW), African American(s) (AA), Hispanic/Latino American(s) (HLA), and Asian American(s) with normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia.

Plasma p-tau217 concordance with amyloid PET among ethnically diverse older adults.

Introduction: Commercially available plasma p-tau217 biomarker tests are not well studied in ethnically diverse samples.

Methods: We evaluated associations between ALZPath plasma p-tau217 and amyloid-beta positron emission tomography (Aβ-PET) in Hispanic/Latino (88% of Cuban or South American ancestry) and non-Hispanic/Latino older adults. One- and two-cutoff ranges were derived and evaluated to assess agreement with Aβ-PET.

Multimodal cognitive and behavioral interventions for patients with MCI: a systematic review and meta-analysis on cognition and mood.

Background: Research has increasingly suggested a benefit to combining multiple cognitive or behavioral strategies in a single treatment program for cognitively impaired older adults. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize results on the effects of multimodal cognitive and behavioral interventions versus control conditions on changes in cognition and mood in patients with mild cognitive impairment (pwMCI).

Methods: The review followed a general PRISMA guideline for systematic literature review with a format consisting of participants, interventions, comparators, and outcomes (PICO).

Diffusion MRI relates to plasma Aβ42/40 in PET negative participants without dementia.

Introduction: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) biomarkers are needed for indexing early biological stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD), such as plasma amyloid-β (Aβ42/40) positivity in Aβ positron emission tomography (PET) negative individuals.

Methods: Diffusion free-water (FW) MRI was acquired in individuals with normal cognition (NC) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) with Aβ plasma-/PET- (NC = 22, MCI = 60), plasma+/PET- (NC = 5, MCI = 20), and plasma+/PET+ (AD dementia = 21) biomarker status. Gray and white matter FW and fractional anisotropy (FAt) were compared cross-sectionally and the relationships between imaging, plasma and PET biomarkers were assessed.

Identification of Outcome-Oriented Progression Subtypes from Mild Cognitive Impairment to Alzheimer's Disease Using Electronic Health Records.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex heterogeneous neurodegenerative disease that requires an in-depth understanding of its progression pathways and contributing factors to develop effective risk stratification and prevention strategies. In this study, we proposed an outcome-oriented model to identify progression pathways from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to AD using electronic health records (EHRs) from the OneFlorida+ Clinical Research Consortium. To achieve this, we employed the long short-term memory (LSTM) network to extract relevant information from the sequential records of each patient.

Plasma Alzheimer's biomarkers and brain amyloid in Hispanic and non-Hispanic older adults.

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease studies often lack ethnic diversity.

Methods: We evaluated associations between plasma biomarkers commonly studied in Alzheimer's (p-tau181, GFAP, and NfL), clinical diagnosis (clinically normal, amnestic MCI, amnestic dementia, or non-amnestic MCI/dementia), and Aβ-PET in Hispanic and non-Hispanic older adults. Hispanics were predominantly of Cuban or South American ancestry.

Identification of Outcome-Oriented Progression Subtypes from Mild Cognitive Impairment to Alzheimer's Disease Using Electronic Health Records.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex heterogeneous neurodegenerative disease that requires an in-depth understanding of its progression pathways and contributing factors to develop effective risk stratification and prevention strategies. In this study, we proposed an outcome-oriented model to identify progression pathways from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to AD using electronic health records (EHRs) from the OneFlorida+ Clinical Research Consortium. To achieve this, we employed the long short-term memory (LSTM) network to extract relevant information from the sequential records of each patient.

Stability in cognitive classification as a function of severity of impairment and ethnicity: A longitudinal analysis.

Objective: The interaction of ethnicity, progression of cognitive impairment, and neuroimaging biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease remains unclear. We investigated the stability in cognitive status classification (cognitively normal [CN] and mild cognitive impairment [MCI]) of 209 participants (124 Hispanics/Latinos and 85 European Americans).

Methods: Biomarkers (structural MRI and amyloid PET scans) were compared between Hispanic/Latino and European American individuals who presented a change in cognitive diagnosis during the second or third follow-up and those who remained stable over time.

Neuropathological and Clinical Correlates of Lewy Body Disease Survival by Race and Ethnicity in the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center.

Background: Survival and associated clinical and pathological characteristics in Lewy body disease (LBD)-related dementias are understudied. Available studies focus primarily on white non-Hispanic samples.

Objective: We investigated demographic, clinical, and pathological correlates of survival by race and ethnicity in an autopsy-confirmed cohort of LBD cases.

Procedural learning, declarative learning, and working memory as predictors of learning the use of a memory compensation tool in persons with amnestic mild cognitive impairment.

Persons with amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI) are at risk for experiencing changes in their daily functioning due to their memory impairment. The Memory Support System (MSS), a compensatory calendaring system, was developed to support functional independence in persons with aMCI (pwaMCI). This cross-sectional study examined procedural learning, declarative learning, and working memory as predictors of MSS learning efficiency in pwaMCI.

Health concerns and attitudes towards research participation in a community of rural Black Americans.

Objectives: Describe health concerns of Black Americans as they age and what influences their participation in aging and clinical research.

Methods: Fifty participants attended focus groups and completed questionnaires to identify barriers to research participation and attitudes toward dementia screening. Bivariate correlations explored associations between barriers to research participation and attitudes toward dementia screening.

Declarative Learning, Priming, and Procedural Learning Performances comparing Individuals with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Cognitively Unimpaired Older Adults.

Objective: While declarative learning is dependent on the hippocampus, procedural learning and repetition priming can operate independently from the hippocampus, making them potential targets for behavioral interventions that utilize non-declarative memory systems to compensate for the declarative learning deficits associated with hippocampal insult. Few studies have assessed procedural learning and repetition priming in individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI).

Method: This study offers an overview across declarative, conceptual repetition priming, and procedural learning tasks by providing between-group effect sizes and Bayes Factors (BFs) comparing individuals with aMCI and controls.

-Jacksonville (V236E) variant reduces self-aggregation and risk of dementia.

Apolipoprotein E () genetic variants have been shown to modify Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk. We previously identified an variant (3-V236E), named -Jacksonville (-Jac), associated with healthy brain aging and reduced risk for AD and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Herein, we resolved the functional mechanism by which APOE3-Jac reduces APOE aggregation and enhances its lipidation in human brains, as well as in cellular and biochemical assays.

Truly Cross-fit: The Association of Exercise and Clinical Outcomes: Introduction to a JINS Special Section.

We introduce a JINS special section inspired by a symposium presented at INS 2020 in Denver. The symposium was entitled Truly Cross-fit: The Association of Exercise and Cognitive Reserve. The collection of papers herein spans diverse methods, a range of developmental and clinical conditions, and a variety of outcomes all reflecting on the association of exercise and cognition-related outcomes.

Patient values in healthcare decision making among diverse older adults.

Objective: To provide high-quality healthcare, it is essential to understand values that guide the healthcare decisions of older adults. We investigated the types of values that culturally diverse older adults incorporate in medical decision making.

Methods: Focus groups were held with older adults who varied in cognitive status (mildly impaired versus those with normal cognition) and ethnicity (Hispanic and non-Hispanic).

Computerized Cognitive Training (CCT) versus Yoga Impact on 12 Month Post Intervention Cognitive Outcome in Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

There is currently limited and mixed evidence for the cognitive benefits of Computerized Cognitive Training (CCT) and yoga in persons with Mild Cognitive Impairment (pwMCI). The objective of this study was to investigate the benefit of computerized cognitive training (CCT) vs. physical (yoga) intervention on cognitive abilities.

Comparative Effects of Physical Exercise and Other Behavioral Interventions on Functional Status Outcomes in Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Objectives: Lifestyle modifications for those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may promote functional stability, lesson disease severity, and improve well-being outcomes such as quality of life. The current analysis of our larger comparative effectiveness study evaluated which specific combinations of lifestyle modifications offered as part of the Mayo Clinic Healthy Action to Benefit Independence in Thinking (HABIT) program contributed to the least functional decline in people with MCI (pwMCI) over 18 months.

Methods: We undertook to compare evidence-based interventions with one another rather than to a no-treatment control group.

The impact of patient and partner personality traits on learning success for a cognitive rehabilitation intervention for patients with MCI.

The Memory Support System (MSS) is the memory compensation tool used in the HABIT Healthy Action to Benefit Independence and Thinking Program. People diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (pwMCI;  = 153) participated in this cognitive rehabilitative programme with a partner. We first aimed to determine if prior research on the positive impact of higher baseline cognitive status on successful MSS learning would be replicated in a new sample.

Examination of Early CNS Symptoms and Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Multicenter Observational Case Series.

Unlabelled: To determine if early CNS symptoms are associated with severe coronavirus disease 2019.

Design: A retrospective, observational case series study design.

Setting: Electronic health records were reviewed for patients from five healthcare systems across the state of Florida, United States.

Clinical Care and Unmet Needs of Individuals With Dementia With Lewy Bodies and Caregivers: An Interview Study.

Background: Patient-centered care requires understanding patient preferences and needs, but research on the clinical care preferences of individuals living with dementia and caregivers is sparse, particularly in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB).

Methods: Investigators conducted telephone interviews with individuals living with DLB and caregivers from a Lewy body dementia specialty center. Interviews employed a semistructured questionnaire querying helpful aspects of care and unmet needs.