Identifying neurocognitive disorder using vector representation of free conversation.

In recent years, studies on the use of natural language processing (NLP) approaches to identify dementia have been reported. Most of these studies used picture description tasks or other similar tasks to encourage spontaneous speech, but the use of free conversation without requiring a task might be easier to perform in a clinical setting. Moreover, free conversation is unlikely to induce a learning effect.

Evaluation of [F]PI-2620, a second-generation selective tau tracer, for assessing four-repeat tauopathies.

Tau aggregates represent a key pathologic feature of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. Recently, PET probes have been developed for detection of tau accumulation; however, they are limited because of off-target binding and a reduced ability to detect tau in non-Alzheimer's disease tauopathies. The novel tau PET tracer, [F]PI-2620, has a high binding affinity and specificity for aggregated tau; therefore, it was hypothesized to have desirable properties for the visualization of tau accumulation in Alzheimer's disease and non-Alzheimer's disease tauopathies.

The project for objective measures using computational psychiatry technology (PROMPT): Rationale, design, and methodology.

Introduction: Depressive and neurocognitive disorders are debilitating conditions that account for the leading causes of years lived with disability worldwide. However, there are no biomarkers that are objective or easy-to-obtain in daily clinical practice, which leads to difficulties in assessing treatment response and developing new drugs. New technology allows quantification of features that clinicians perceive as reflective of disorder severity, such as facial expressions, phonic/speech information, body motion, daily activity, and sleep.

Does the Combination of the Cognitive Interventions Improve the Function of Daily Living and Save the Long-Term Care Cost? A Pilot Study of Effectiveness and Cost Saving Analysis of "Learning Therapy" for People with Dementia.

Background: Although the effects of various types of cognitive interventions have been evaluated, effectiveness and cost-saving effect of the combination of the different cognitive interventions is unknown.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of conducting a definitive trial to assess the effectiveness of combined cognitive intervention.

Methods: A matched controlled trial of learning therapy (LT), a combination of cognitive training and stimulation, was conducted.

Disclosure of Amyloid Status for Risk of Alzheimer Disease to Cognitively Normal Research Participants With Subjective Cognitive Decline: A Longitudinal Study.

This study aimed to investigate the long-term impacts of disclosing amyloid status for a risk of Alzheimer disease (AD) to cognitively normal research participants with subjective cognitive decline (SCD), which represents an initial manifestation of AD. Forty-two participants were classified as the amyloid-positive ( = 10) or amyloid-negative ( = 32) groups. We assessed symptoms of anxiety, depression, and test-related distress at 6, 24, and 52 weeks after results disclosure.

A Validation Study of the Remotely Administered Montreal Cognitive Assessment Tool in the Elderly Japanese Population.

In an aging society, neuropsychological testing using video teleconferencing (VTC) is increasingly important. Despite the potential benefit of a VTC-administered Montreal Cognitive Assessment Tool (MoCA) to detect cognitive decline, only a limited number of studies have investigated this tool's reliability. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the reliability of VTC-administered MoCA compared with face-to-face (FTF)-administered MoCA among elderly Japanese participants.

Can we predict amyloid deposition by objective cognition and regional cerebral blood flow in patients with subjective cognitive decline?

Background: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) may herald the first symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) whereas individuals with beta-amyloid (Aβ) deposition are regarded as a high-risk group for AD. Recently, amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) studies have demonstrated clinical and cognitive feature differences between Aβ-positive and negative SCD, but details of their differences remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the relationships among Aβ deposition, clinical, and cognitive features in patients with SCD.

The psychological impact of disclosing amyloid status to Japanese elderly: a preliminary study on asymptomatic patients with subjective cognitive decline.

ABSTRACTIn Japan, 4.6 million people are living with dementia and the number is expected to rise to 7 million by 2025. Amyloid-β (Aβ) positron emission tomography (PET) is used for cognitively normal Japanese people with or without subjective cognitive decline (SCD) for the purpose of clinical trials or diagnosis.

Early Improvements in Individual Symptoms to Predict Later Remission in Major Depressive Disorder Treated With Mirtazapine.

Few studies, to our knowledge, have examined whether early improvements in individual, instead of overall, depressive symptoms predict remission in major depressive disorder (MDD). This post hoc analysis used data from 194 patients with MDD enrolled in a 6-week double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of mirtazapine, to identify improvements in specific individual depressive symptoms in the early phase that are associated with subsequent remission. Trajectories of individual depressive symptoms over 6 weeks were compared between remitters and nonremitters.

Mental health of Japanese psychiatrists: the relationship among level of occupational stress, satisfaction and depressive symptoms.

Background: Psychiatrists in clinical practice face a number of stressors related to patient care, such as overwork. On the other hand, they gain satisfaction from their work. We quantified and assessed the potential relationship between levels of occupational stress, satisfaction, and depressive symptoms among Japanese clinical psychiatrists.