The role of human kallikrein 6, clusterin and adiponectin as potential blood biomarkers of dementia.

Objectives: Progressive degenerative syndromes which affect brain, altering memory, behavior, cognition and emotion, are commonly defined as dementia. It was suggested that serum human kallikrein 6 (KLK6), clusterin (CLU) and adiponectin (ADPN) in combination with inflammation markers, neuroimaging and neuropsychological testing could assist in discriminating dementia patients from control individuals. Our aim was therefore to compare serum concentrations of KLK6, CLU and ADPN and inflammatory marker, interleukin-6 (IL-6), in patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD), patients with vascular dementia (VAD), cognitively healthy participants (CHP) and those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

The association of inflammatory markers with cerebral vasoreactivity and carotid atherosclerosis in transient ischaemic attack.

Objectives: Inflammatory mediators have an important role in the pathogenesis of stroke. Increased activity of inflammatory mediators initiates the development of atherosclerosis independently of other risk factors, thus compromising brain microcirculation and causing transient ischaemic attack (TIA). The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between serum level of cellular adhesion molecules (ICAM-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and breath-holding index (BHI) in subjects with transient ischaemic attack.

Advanced asymptomatic carotid disease and cognitive impairment: an understated link?

Advanced carotid disease is known to be associated with symptomatic cerebrovascular diseases, such as stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), as well as with poststroke cognitive impairment. However, cognitive decline often occurs in patients with advanced carotid stenosis without clinically evident stroke or TIA, so it is also suspected to be an independent risk factor for dementia. Neurosonological methods enable simple and noninvasive assessment of carotid stenosis in patients at risk of advanced atherosclerosis.

Management of patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) at Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center.

Improved outcomes were observed in transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients after implementation of recommendations for stroke management and after multiple interventions such as public campaigns focused on raising awareness of stroke and reorganization of health services. The aim of this study was to describe reorganization of in-hospital services to improve the management of patients suspected of having TIA or stroke, and to validate these measures with patient outcomes. Data on 5219 patients examined between January 1 and December 31, 2008 at emergency neurology outpatient department were analyzed.

Transcranial Doppler monitoring of middle cerebral artery during verbal stimulation in aphasic patients.

Hemodynamic changes can be noninvasively real-time monitored in stroke patients by means of transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD). The aim of this pilot study was to assess hemodynamic changes in both middle cerebral arteries (MCA) in aphasic stroke patients by means of TCD during verbal stimulation. Eight aphasic patients with stroke in the territory of the left MCA were tested by modified Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination (BDAE) within 3 days of stroke onset.

Cognitive performance in asymptomatic patients with advanced carotid disease.

Objective: : In the absence of stroke or transient ischemic attack, patients with advanced carotid stenosis or occlusion (ICAs/o) are considered asymptomatic, yet they are prone to mostly subtle cognitive impairment.

Background: : The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) often fails to detect mild cognitive impairment. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is more sensitive in recognizing such changes.

Serum HDL, LDL and total cholesterol in patients with late-life onset of Alzheimer's disease versus vascular dementia.

Patients with cerebrovascular risk factors are nowadays recognized as being at an increased risk of developing cognitive decline of both types. In this pilot study, we evaluated the levels of cholesterol (total, HDL, LDL) in patients with both vascular dementia (VD) and Alzheimer's type of dementia (AD). Cognitive decline was assessed using Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) as a standardized method.

Assessment of subtle cognitive impairment in stroke-free patients with carotid disease.

Carotid disease is a known risk factor for stroke and stroke is a known risk factor for cognitive impairment, but relation between carotid artery stenosis and cognitive function in asymptomatic individuals is less clear. Most patients have only minor complaints of cognitive dysfunction and assessment with usual tests is not sensitive enough. The study included 26 stroke-free patients (15 male and 11 female), mean age 66.

Vascular characteristics of patients with dementia.

Arterial beta stiffness index is a potential risk factor for increased stroke occurrence. Vascular component appears to be significant in both Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VAD). We aimed to further explore vascular characteristics of patients with both types of cognitive decline using non-invasive neurosonological methods.

Can beta stiffness index be proposed as risk factor for dementia.

Background And Aim: Changes of arterial stiffness indicate alteration in arterial mechanics predisposing to the evolution of stroke or vascular dementia. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate whether ultrasound parameters, particularly beta stiffness index (BSI), should be further explored as independent markers or risk factors for dementia.

Patients And Methods: There were 38 demented patients included in this study (72.

Mild cognitive impairment in symptomatic and asymptomatic cerebrovascular disease.

We tried to evaluate and to compare usefulness of two brief cognitive tests in early detection of cognitive decline in subjects with increased cerebrovascular (CV) risk. As CV risk factors are recognised as important in etiology of dementia, we also aimed to determine the possible associations of specific CV risk factors and cognitive results. Patients (PGs) with first-ever stroke or TIA (N=110) and CV symptoms-free controls (CGs) with CV risk factors present (N=45) matched for age, gender and education level were tested using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) on admission, at three- and six-month points.