Dementia among migrants in Italy: a qualitative study of the ImmiDem project.

Introduction: In recent years, the number of migrants referred to centres for cognitive disorders and dementias has increased. The aim of this study was to provide information on the provision of care for migrants with dementia through the perceptions and experiences of the professionals and caregivers involved.

Methods: The study is an exploratory qualitative research.

Prestroke Cognitive Impairment: Frequency and Association With Premorbid Neuropsychiatric, Functional, and Neuroimaging Features.

Background: Some patients with stroke have prestroke cognitive impairment (pre-SCI), but its etiology is not clear. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the frequency of pre-SCI and its association with premorbid neuropsychiatric, functional, and neuroimaging features.

Methods: Patients hospitalized in stroke unit with an informant who could complete IQCODE (Informant Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline in the Elderly) were included.

Early predictors of dysphagia in ischaemic stroke patients.

Background And Purpose: Post-stroke dysphagia affects outcome. In acute stroke patients, the aim was to evaluate clinical, cognitive and neuroimaging features associated with dysphagia and develop a predictive score for dysphagia.

Methods: Ischaemic stroke patients underwent clinical, cognitive and pre-morbid function evaluations.

Case Identification and Characterization of Migrants with Dementia in the Lazio Region Using Health Administrative Data.

Background: A crucial step for planning effective public health policies for migrants with dementia is the collection of data on the local dimensions of the phenomenon and patients' characteristics.

Objective: This study aimed to identify and characterize migrants with dementia in the Lazio region using health administrative databases.

Methods: Residents with dementia aged 50 years or older, living in the Lazio region as of December 31, 2018, were identified using a validated algorithm based on hospital discharge(s), claims for antidementia drugs, and co-payment exemption for dementia.

Cultural influence on clock drawing test: A systematic review.

Objective: Dementia among migrants is an emerging phenomenon worldwide and the development of neuropsychological tests sensitive to cultural differences is increasingly regarded as a priority. The Clock Drawing Test (CDT) is one of the most used screening tools for the detection of cognitive decline. Nevertheless, there is still a debate about its adoption as a cross-cultural assessment.

Clinical uses of Bupropion in patients with Parkinson's disease and comorbid depressive or neuropsychiatric symptoms: a scoping review.

Objective: Bupropion, an antidepressant inhibiting the reuptake of dopamine and noradrenaline, should be useful to treat depressive symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Limited and conflicting literature data questioned its effectiveness and safety in depressed PD patients and extended its use to other neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with this disorder.

Design: The databases PubMed, Embase, Web of Sciences, Cochrane Library, and the grey literature were searched.

Prediction of post-stroke cognitive impairment by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) performances in acute stroke: comparison of three normative datasets.

Background: Cognitive assessment in acute stroke is relevant for identifying patients at risk of persistent post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI). Despite preliminary evidence on MoCA accuracy, there is no consensus on its optimal score in the acute stroke setting to predict PSCI.

Aims: (1) To explore whether the application of different normative datasets to MoCA scores obtained in the acute stroke setting results in variable frequency of patients defined as cognitively impaired; (2) to assess whether the normality cut-offs provided by three normative datasets predict PSCI at 6-9 months; (3) to calculate alternative MoCA cut-offs able to predict PSCI.

The clinical profile of cerebral small vessel disease: Toward an evidence-based identification of cognitive markers.

There is no consensus on which test is more suited to outline the cognitive deficits of cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) patients. We explored the ability of eight cognitive tests, selected in a previous systematic review as the most commonly used in this population, to differentiate among cSVD patients, controls, and other dementing conditions performing a meta-analysis of 86 studies. We found that cSVD patients performed worse than healthy controls in all tests while data on the comparison to neurodegenerative diseases were limited.

A nationwide survey of Italian Centers for Cognitive Disorders and Dementia on the provision of care for international migrants.

Background: More than 500,000 dementia cases can be estimated among migrants living in Europe. There is the need to collect "real world" data on the preparedness of healthcare services to support the inclusion of migrants in the public health response to dementia. The present study aimed (i) to estimate the number of migrants referred to Italian memory clinics (Centers for Cognitive Disorders and Dementia [CCDDs]) and (ii) to identify possible barriers and resources for the provision of diversity-sensitive care.

Predictivity of the clock drawing test in the acute phase of cerebrovascular diseases on cognitive decline at a 6-month neuropsychological evaluation.

Introduction: We showed that the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) performed during the acute phase of cerebrovascular diseases predicted worsening of cognitive function defined based on a clinical judgement at a 3-month follow-up. The aim of this study was to verify the predictivity of the CDT on the worsening of cognitive status assessed with an extensive neuropsychological evaluation 6 months after the acute event.

Methods: Patients with a stroke or transient ischemic attack underwent a baseline clinical, neuroimaging, and neuropsychological assessment, including the CDT.

Translations and cultural adaptations of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment: a systematic and qualitative review.

This study provides a systematic review of linguistically and culturally adapted versions of the original Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) full version. Adapted versions were identified through a systematic review in 3 databases and on the MoCA website. Overall, 86 culturally different versions of MoCA are available: 74 versions on the MoCA website (25 of them have a corresponding paper concerning the translation process found with the systematic review) and 12 additional versions identified only with the search in biomedical databases.

The Clock Drawing Test as a predictor of cognitive decline in non-demented stroke patients.

Background: The early detection of patients at risk of post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) may help planning subacute and long-term care. We aimed to determine the predictivity of two screening cognitive tests on the occurrence of mild cognitive impairment or dementia in acute stroke patients.

Methods: A cognitive assessment within a few days of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke was performed in patients consecutively admitted to a stroke unit over 14 months by means of the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic (MoCA-B).

Cognitive evaluation in cerebral small vessel disease: towards an evidence-based identification of the reference standards. Part 1. A systematic review and qualitative data synthesis.

Background: Cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) is a leading cause of cognitive impairment in the elderly. Despite cSVD cognitive profile is thought to be mainly characterized by attention and executive functions deficits, there is no definite agreement on the standards for its evaluation. This systematic review aims at identifying cognitive domains and neuropsychological tools specifically chosen in the assessment of cognitive impairment related to cSVD, and the temporal and geographic trends in their utilization.

Neuropsychological screening in the acute phase of cerebrovascular diseases.

Introduction: Cognitive impairment is a common and disabling consequence of stroke. Its prevalence, the best way to screen for it in the acute setting, and its relation with premorbid status have not been thoroughly clarified.

Materials And Methods: Ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients admitted to our stroke unit underwent a baseline assessment that included a clinical and neuroimaging assessment, two cognitive tests (clock-drawing test, CDT; Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic, MoCA-B) and measures of premorbid function (including the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale).

Dementia among migrants and ethnic minorities in Italy: rationale and study protocol of the ImmiDem project.

Introduction: Due to the ongoing demographic and epidemiological transitions, estimating the phenomenon of dementia in migrants and minority groups, exploring its characteristics and challenges and implementing dedicated healthcare policies, constitute emerging and urgent matters for Western countries. In the present paper we describe the rationale and design of the 'Dementia in immigrants and ethnic minorities living in Italy: clinical-epidemiological aspects and public health perspectives" (ImmiDem) project.

Methods And Analysis: Three main aims will be pursued by the ImmiDem project.

Mild Cognitive Impairment in the Migrant Population Living in Europe: An Epidemiological Estimation of the Phenomenon.

Background: The construct of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is triggering growing clinical and research interest. The detection of MCI may be affected by diverse ethno-cultural determinants possibly influencing the personal and social perception of the individual cognitive functioning as well as the reliability of objective cognitive assessment. These challenges may acquire special relevance in subjects with a migration background and composing ethnic minority groups.

The issue of dementia in migrants and ethnic minorities: the perspective of National Dementia Plans.

Background: The occurrence of dementia among individuals with a migration background and composing ethnic minorities is being recognized as a global public health issue.

Aims: In the present study, we sought to explore if and how this phenomenon is mentioned and addressed by the existing National Dementia Plans (NDPs).

Methods: The 32 NDPs listed on the Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI)'s website were considered for the present analysis.

Exploring cocoa properties: is theobromine a cognitive modulator?

Nutritional qualities of cocoa have been acknowledged by several authors; a particular focus has been placed on its high content of flavanols, known for their excellent antioxidant properties and subsequent protective effect on cardio- and cerebrovascular systems as well as for neuromodulatory and neuroprotective actions. Other active components of cocoa are methylxanthines (caffeine and theobromine). Whereas the effects of caffeine are extensively researched, the same is not the case for theobromine; this review summarizes evidence on the effect of theobromine on cognitive functions.

Spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) in hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSP): A sham-controlled crossover study.

: Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) represents a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by progressive spasticity and lower limb weakness. We assessed the effects of transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) in HSP. A double-blind, randomized, crossover and sham-controlled study.

Resolution of unilateral upper limb action tremor after surgical treatment of a contralateral frontoparietal arachnoid cyst.

Purpose: Arachnoid cysts (ACs) are cerebrospinal fluid-filled sacs. Although ACs are a frequent finding on neuroimaging, most remain asymptomatic during lifetime.

Case Report: We report a very rare case of a 62-year-old female patient presenting with a tremor due to a giant arachnoid cyst, which completely resolved after cyst-peritoneal shunting.

Diagnostic biomarkers for Parkinson's disease at a glance: where are we?

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder whose aetiology remains unclear: degeneration involves several neurotransmission systems, resulting in a heterogeneous disease characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms. PD causes progressive disability that responds only to symptomatic therapies. Future advances include neuroprotective strategies for use in at-risk populations before the clinical onset of disease, hence the continuing need to identify reliable biomarkers that can facilitate the clinical diagnosis of PD.

Free and cued selective reminding test predicts progression to Alzheimer's disease in people with mild cognitive impairment.

Introduction: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of the free and cued selective reminding test (FCSRT) for the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods: We enrolled 187 consecutive MCI outpatients from a memory clinic that were evaluated at baseline and every 6 to 12 months through an extensive clinical and neuropsychological protocol. For each test, measures of diagnostic accuracy were obtained.

Estimating dementia cases in the immigrant population living in Italy.

Introduction: The phenomenon of dementia among immigrants and ethnic minorities represents an emerging challenge for Western countries. The aim of the present study was to estimate the number of dementia cases among immigrant subjects residing in Italy and in each Italian region to provide pivotal information on the magnitude of such public health issue.

Method: The number of immigrant individuals, aged 65 years or older, living in Italy and in the 20 Italian regions was derived by the 2017 data of the National Institute for Statistics.

Living Alone and Dementia Incidence: A Clinical-Based Study in People With Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Introduction: Social isolation and living alone have been associated with negative outcomes, especially in the older population. We aim to investigate the effect of living alone on the development of dementia in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Materials And Methods: In this longitudinal study, we enrolled 345 outpatients with MCI evaluated at baseline through a clinical and neuropsychological protocol.