Influence of Preoperative COVID-19 Vaccination on Outcomes After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting-A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

Background: Reports of intravascular thrombosis and cardiac complications have raised concerns about the safety of COVID-19 vaccinations, particularly in patients with high cardiovascular risk. Herein, we aimed to analyze the impact of preoperative COVID-19 vaccination on outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods And Results: Among 520 patients who underwent isolated CABG from 2020 to 2022, 481 patients (mean±SD age: 67±11 years, 86 women) whose COVID-19 vaccination status could be confirmed were included.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion gene polymorphism and the progression of cerebral microbleeds.

Background And Purpose: The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphism has been studied as a genetic candidate for cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). However, no previous study has evaluated the relationship between the ACE I/D polymorphism and cerebral microbleed (CMB), an important CSVD marker. We evaluated the association between ACE I/D polymorphisms and 2-year changes in CMBs.

Effects of GV1001 on Language Dysfunction in Patients With Moderate-to-Severe Alzheimer's Disease: Analysis of Severe Impairment Battery Subscales.

Background And Purpose: The efficacy and safety of GV1001 have been demonstrated in patients with moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we aimed to further demonstrate the effectiveness of GV1001 using subscales of the Severe Impairment Battery (SIB), which is a validated measure to assess cognitive function in patients with moderate-to-severe AD.

Methods: We performed a analysis of data from a 6 month, multicenter, phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with GV1001 (ClinicalTrials.

Effect of internet-based vs. in-person multimodal interventions on patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease: a randomized, cross-over, open-label trial.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the effect of internet-based and in-person cognitive interventions on cognition, mood, and activities of daily living (ADL) on patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) and examine whether internet-based intervention is as effective as the in-person intervention.

Methods: We recruited 52 patients with probable mild AD, of whom 42 completed the trial. We randomly divided participants into intervention and control groups at a 1:1 ratio and statistically compared the neuropsychological test results of the two groups.

A Multicentre, Randomised, Open-Label, Prospective Study to Estimate the Add-On Effects Of Memantine as Ebixa Oral Pump (Solution) on Language in Patients with Moderate to Severe Alzheimer's Disease Already Receiving Donepezil (ROMEO-AD).

Introduction: This multicentre, randomised, open-label, and prospective study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of memantine (memantine solution) on speech function in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease (AD) who were already on donepezil therapy.

Methods: Participants were divided into two groups: the drug trial group was administered donepezil + memantine (memantine solution), while the control group was administered only donepezil. Patients in the test group were required to increase the dose of memantine by 5 mg/day per week for the first 4 weeks and were maintained at 20 mg/day until the end of the trial.

White Matter Lesions Predominantly Located in Deep White Matter Represent Embolic Etiology Rather Than Small Vessel Disease.

Background And Purpose: We investigated the correlation between the deep distribution of white matter hyperintensity (WMH) (dWMH: WMH in deep and corticomedullary areas, with minimal periventricular WMH) and a positive agitated saline contrast echocardiography result.

Methods: We retrospectively recruited participants with comprehensive dementia evaluations, an agitated saline study, and brain imaging. The participants were classified into two groups according to WMH-distributions: dWMH and dpWMH (mainly periventricular WMH with or without deep WMH.

Sex differences in the progression of cerebral microbleeds in patients with concomitant cerebral small vessel disease.

Background And Purpose: Sex differences in cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are not well-known. We aimed to assess the impact of sex on the progression of CMBs.

Methods: The CHALLENGE (Comparison Study of Cilostazol and Aspirin on Changes in Volume of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease White Matter Changes) database was analyzed.

Resting Heart Rate and Cognitive Decline: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies.

Background And Purpose: Several previous meta-analyses have identified an association between cognitive decline and heart rate variability, which reflects autonomic nerve activity. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the impact of increased resting heart rate (RHR) on the incidence of cognitive decline, including dementia.

Methods: The PubMed, Embase, and PsycInfo databases were searched for relevant prospective cohort studies published before April 18, 2022.

Long-term patency of bilateral internal thoracic artery Y composite coronary artery bypass grafts-determinants and impact on survival.

Background: Bilateral internal thoracic artery Y-composite grafting with sequential anastomoses is a well-established strategy for multi-arterial coronary artery bypass grafting. This study investigated the factors affecting long-term patency of bilateral internal thoracic artery Y-composite grafts and their influence on survival.

Methods: Patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting using bilateral internal thoracic artery Y-composite grafts due to triple-vessel disease were included.

A Multinational, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Active Comparator, Phase III Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Donepezil Transdermal Patch in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease.

Background And Purpose: Oral administration of cholinesterase inhibitors is often associated with adverse gastrointestinal effects, and so developing an alternative administration route, such as transdermal, is urgently needed. The primary objective of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of the IPI-301 donepezil transdermal patch compared with donepezil tablets (control) in mild-to-moderate probable Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: This prospective, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, two-arm parallel, multicenter trial included 399 patients, among whom 303 completed the trial.

A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase IIb Clinical Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of DHP1401 in Patients with Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease Treated with Donepezil: DHP1401 Randomized Trial in Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease (DRAMA).

Background: Preclinical studies in transgenic models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) suggest that DHP1401 has neuroprotective and memory-enhancing effects.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of DHP1401 in AD patients treated with donepezilMethods:Methods: In a double-blind study, patients with mild-to-moderate AD were randomized (1:1:1) to receive a twice daily total dose of 500 mg or 1000 mg DHP1401 or placebo for 24 weeks. Tolerability and safety were monitored at baseline and weeks 12 and 24.

Serum cadmium is associated with hepatic steatosis and fibrosis: Korean national health and nutrition examination survey data IV-VII.

Although cadmium (Cd) is correlated with elevated levels of hepatic amino transferases, its influence on the degree of liver steatosis and fibrosis are unknown yet. We aimed to investigate the associations between the serum level of Cd and degree of liver steatosis/fibrosis.Clinical data were obtained from Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys IV-VII.

Cilostazol Versus Aspirin on White Matter Changes in Cerebral Small Vessel Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background And Purpose: Cerebral small vessel disease is characterized by progressive cerebral white matter changes (WMCs). This study aimed to compare the effects of cilostazol and aspirin on changes in WMC volume in patients with cerebral small vessel disease.

Methods: In a multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial, participants with moderate or severe WMCs and at least one lacunar infarction detected on brain magnetic resonance imaging were randomly assigned to the cilostazol and aspirin groups in a 1:1 ratio.

Effects of Body Weight on the Safety of High-Dose Donepezil in Alzheimer's Disease: Post hoc Analysis of a Multicenter, Randomized, Open-Label, Parallel Design, Three-Arm Clinical Trial.

Background: Donepezil 23 mg is considered for Alzheimer's disease (AD) to optimize cognitive benefits; however, increased adverse events (AEs) can negatively influence drug adherence. We investigated whether body weight (BW) differs based on the presence of AEs, and which baseline factors were relevant to the safety of high-dose donepezil.

Methods: This study was a post hoc analysis of a multicenter randomized trial between 2014 and 2016.

Efficacy and safety of GV1001 in patients with moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease already receiving donepezil: a phase 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial.

Background: Our previous studies showed that GV1001 has various protective effects against β-amyloid and other stressors. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that GV1001 might have beneficial effects in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: A phase 2, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, 6-month randomized clinical trial was performed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of subcutaneously administered GV1001.

Prediction of amyloid β PET positivity using machine learning in patients with suspected cerebral amyloid angiopathy markers.

Amyloid-β(Aβ) PET positivity in patients with suspected cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) MRI markers is predictive of a worse cognitive trajectory, and it provides insights into the underlying vascular pathology (CAA vs. hypertensive angiopathy) to facilitate prognostic prediction and appropriate treatment decisions. In this study, we applied two interpretable machine learning algorithms, gradient boosting machine (GBM) and random forest (RF), to predict Aβ PET positivity in patients with CAA MRI markers.

Effect of Integrated Cognitive Intervention Therapy in Patients with Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease.

Background And Purpose: The effect of the integrated program comprising cognitive training, art therapy, and music therapy has not been extensively studied in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The present study investigated the effect of integrated cognitive intervention therapy on cognition, and activity of daily life (ADL), and mood in patients with mild to moderate AD.

Methods: In this study, the data of 59 patients who met the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke-Alzheimer disease and Related Disorders Association (NINCDS-ADRDS) criteria of probable AD among those who registered at the Centenarian's Good Memory Program in Goyang from September 2014 to August 2019 were collected.

Reliability and Validity of a Short Form of the Korean Dementia Screening Questionnaire-Cognition.

Background And Purpose: We aimed to determine the reliability and validity of a short form of the Korean Dementia Screening Questionnaire-Cognition (KDSQ-C) as a screening tool for cognitive dysfunction.

Methods: This study recruited 420 patients older than 65 years and their informants from 11 hospitals, and categorized the patients into normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia subgroups. The KDSQ-C was completed separately by the patients and their informants.

A Comparison Study of Cilostazol and Aspirin on Changes in Volume of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease White Matter Changes: Protocol of a Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background And Purpose: Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is the most common cause of vascular dementia and a major contributor to mixed dementia. CSVD is characterized by progressive cerebral white matter changes (WMC) due to chronic low perfusion and loss of autoregulation. In addition to its antiplatelet effect, cilostazol exerts a vasodilating effect and improves endothelial function.

Prediction of cognitive impairment via deep learning trained with multi-center neuropsychological test data.

Background: Neuropsychological tests (NPTs) are important tools for informing diagnoses of cognitive impairment (CI). However, interpreting NPTs requires specialists and is thus time-consuming. To streamline the application of NPTs in clinical settings, we developed and evaluated the accuracy of a machine learning algorithm using multi-center NPT data.

Self- and informant-reported cognitive functioning and awareness in subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, and very mild Alzheimer disease.

Objectives: The present study examined self-reports and informant reports of cognitive function and discrepancies between the two reporting methods in healthy controls (HC), subjective cognitive decline (SCD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and very mild Alzheimer disease (AD) using three questionnaires.

Methods: The study included a total of 300 individuals (mean age: 74.4 ± 5.

Safety and tolerability of donepezil 23 mg with or without intermediate dose titration in patients with Alzheimer's disease taking donepezil 10 mg: a multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel-design, three-arm, prospective trial.

Background: High-dose donepezil is currently prescribed for patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) who showed poor or waning response to a lower dose at the risk of increasing cholinergic side effects. However, the adverse events (AEs) depending on the method of dose escalation have not been clarified yet. This study aimed to find out whether dose titration before escalating to donepezil 23 mg is preferred.

A Comparative Evaluation of the KDSQ-C, AD8, and SMCQ as a Cognitive Screening Test to Be Used in National Medical Check-ups in Korea.

Background: Korea has a periodic general health check-up program that uses the Korean Dementia Screening Questionnaire-Cognition (KDSQ-C) as a cognitive dysfunction screening tool. The Alzheimer Disease 8 (AD8) and Subjective Memory Complaints Questionnaire (SMCQ) are also used in clinical practice. We compared the diagnostic ability of these screening questionnaires for cognitive impairment when completed by participants and their caregivers.

Observational Study of Clinical and Functional Progression Based on Initial Brain MRI Characteristics in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a useful tool to predict the diagnosis and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD), especially for primary physicians. However, the correlation between baseline MRI findings and AD progression has not been fully established.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between hippocampal atrophy (HA) and white matter hyperintensities (WMH) on initial brain MRI images and the degree of cognitive decline and functional changes over 1 year.