Differential blood miRNA expression in brain amyloid imaging-defined Alzheimer's disease and controls.

Background: Peripheral blood microRNAs (miRNA) have been identified as potential biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Study results have generally been inconsistent and limited by sample heterogeneity. The aim of this study is to establish candidate blood miRNA biomarkers for AD by comparing differences in miRNA expression between participants with brain amyloid imaging-defined AD and normal cognition.

Circulating microRNAs as Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review.

Background: In recent years, microRNAs (miRNA), a class of non-coding RNA known to regulate protein expression post-transcriptionally, have been recognized as novel biomarkers of diseases.

Objective: In this systematic review, we identify miRNAs that are differentially expressed in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and/or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and evaluate their accuracy as potential blood biomarkers.

Methods: Eligible studies of miRNAs in peripheral blood distinguishing patients with AD or MCI from cognitively normal controls were identified through standardized search strategies in Medline, PubMed, and Embase.

Therapeutic effects of cerebrolysin added to risperidone in patients with schizophrenia dominated by negative symptoms.

Objective: Cerebrolysin is a nootropic drug with unique neurotrophic activities directly affecting cerebral neurons. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of cerebrolysin added to risperidone in patients with schizophrenia dominated by negative symptoms.

Methods: The trial was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group design.

Future research on dementia relating to culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

About one in five older Australians were born overseas. However, there has been very little information published in Australia or internationally about dementia in persons from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. This limits our ability to plan for and provide evidence-based medical care, social care and aged care services to persons from CALD backgrounds.

Differences in psychological morbidity among Australian and Chinese caregivers of persons with dementia in residential care.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of culture on caregiver psychological morbidity among informal caregivers of institutionalised persons with dementia in three different populations: (1) Shanghai, (2) Australian-Chinese and (3) Australian mainstream (non-Chinese).

Methods: Caregivers and residents with dementia were recruited from (1) a dementia hospital in Shanghai, (2) three ethno-specific Chinese nursing homes in Sydney and (3) four mainstream nursing homes in Sydney. Psychological morbidity was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale, mental health component (MHC) of the RAND-36 Health Status Inventory and a guilt scale.

A pilot study of differences in behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in nursing home residents in Sydney and Shanghai.

Background: There are limited cross-cultural studies of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). The aim of the present study was to increase understanding of the effects of culture on BPSD by comparing the rates of BPSD in nursing home residents across three residential facility types: (1) mainstream nursing homes in Sydney, (2) ethno-specific Chinese nursing homes in Sydney, and (3) a long-term high care facility in Shanghai known as a dementia hospital.

Methods: 149 residents and their caregivers voluntarily participated in this study.