CRISPR-Powered Aptasensor for Diagnostics of Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia, characterized by the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides in the brain. Here, we present a simple, rapid, and affordable CRISPR-powered aptasensor for the quantitative detection of Aβ40 and Aβ42 biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples, enabling early and accurate diagnostics of AD patients. The aptasensor couples the high specificity of aptamers for Aβ biomarkers with CRISPR-Cas12a-based fluorescence detection.

The AAGP Scholars Program: Predictors of Pursuing Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship Training.

Objective: The American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP) Scholars Program was developed to recruit trainees into geriatric psychiatry fellowships and is considered a pipeline for fellowship recruitment. Nonetheless, the number of trainees entering geriatric psychiatry fellowship is declining, making it important to identify modifiable factors that may influence trainees' decisions to pursue fellowship. We analyzed survey data from Scholars Program participants to identify demographic characteristics, attitudes toward program components, and behaviors after the program that were independently associated with the decision to pursue fellowship.

Advice on How to Choose a Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship.

The population of older adults with mental health and substance use disorders in the United States is increasing at a significant rate. This growth creates a critical need for trained geriatric psychiatrists. Unfortunately, the number of psychiatrists choosing to receive subspecialty training in geriatric psychiatry has not kept pace with the growing needs of society.

The Treatment of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia: Weighing Benefits and Risks.

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are common among patients with dementia. BPSD have significant implications on outcomes for patients and caregivers. Available literature for pharmacological approaches to BPSD is sparse and at times inconsistent.

Sleep Disturbances in the Elderly.

Sleep disturbances are a common presenting symptom of older-age adults to their physicians. This article explores normal changes in sleep pattern with aging and primary sleep disorders in the elderly. Behavioral factors and primary psychiatric disorders affecting sleep in this population are reviewed.

Late-Onset Bipolar Disorder: A Case Report.

Treating refractory late-onset bipolar disorder has not been sufficiently presented in the literature. In this case report, we present a 54-year-old male with late-onset bipolar disorder, who did notimprove despite multiple medication and dosage changes. This case outlines the challenges in treatment of these patients as well as identifies areas of further study regarding late-onset bipolar disorder management.

A Call to Restructure Psychiatry General and Subspecialty Training.

Dire shortages of psychiatrists with special expertise in geriatrics, substance abuse, forensics, and psychosomatics create barriers to care for populations with complex mental disorders and pose a significant public health concern. To address these disparities in access to care, we propose streamlining graduate medical education to increase efficiency and enhance cost-effectiveness while simultaneously increasing the number of psychiatric subspecialists in these key areas. We propose that trainees interested in subspecialties complete their general training in 3 years, while meeting ACGME required milestones, and then utilize their 4th year to complete subspecialty fellowship training.

BDNF variants, premorbid educational attainment, and disease characteristics in Alzheimer's disease: an exploratory study.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin that promotes neuronal survival, growth, and differentiation. The role of BDNF in learning and memory suggests that it may also modulate the clinical course of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study aimed to determine whether BDNF genetic variants are related to premorbid educational attainment, progression of cognitive and functional decline, and associated neuropsychiatric symptoms in AD patients.

A systematic review of off-label uses of memantine for psychiatric disorders.

Recent data points to glutamatergic dysfunction in mood disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and schizophrenia. Memantine, a drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease that acts at the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor, has been used off-label for various psychiatric disorders. Although promising, the available data for the use of memantine in these disorders is limited.

Apolipoprotein E epsilon4 allele increases risk for psychotic symptoms in Alzheimer's disease.

The apolipoprotein E (ApoE) epsilon4 allele is a well-documented genetic risk factor for sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). Its association with psychopathology among AD patients has been the subject of discrepant reports. We aimed to determine whether ApoE epsilon4+ and epsilon4- AD patients exhibit a different risk profile for psychotic symptoms and other behavioral disturbances.

Apolipoprotein E epsilon4 allele is unrelated to cognitive or functional decline in Alzheimer's disease: retrospective and prospective analysis.

Objective: The apolipoprotein E (ApoE) epsilon4 allele is a well-documented genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Its role, if any, in the progression of cognitive and functional impairment in AD has been the subject of discrepant reports in the literature. This study aimed to determine whether ApoE epsilon4 dose is related to the progression of cognitive and functional decline in AD patients by combined retrospective and prospective analyses.