Publications by authors named "Kyra O'Brien"

Introduction: We investigate pathological correlates of plasma phosphorylated tau 181 (p-tau), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and neurofilament light chain (NfL) across a clinically diverse spectrum of neurodegenerative disease, including normal cognition (NormCog) and impaired cognition (ImpCog).

Methods: Participants were NormCog (n = 132) and ImpCog (n = 461), with confirmed β-amyloid (Aβ+/-) status (cerebrospinal fluid, positron emission tomography, autopsy) and single molecule array plasma measurements. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area under the curve (AUC) tested how combining plasma analytes discriminated Aβ+ from Aβ-.

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Background: The efficiencies of plasma Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers could facilitate early AD diagnosis. Unfortunately, limited knowledge exists about whether and how they would be used by clinicians.

Objective: To identify and compare determinants of plasma AD biomarker use reported by primary care providers and dementia specialists.

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Background: The National Institute on Aging (NIA) Imbedded Pragmatic Alzheimer's Disease and Alzheimer's Related Dementia Clinical Trials (IMPACT) Collaboratory convened a Lived Experience Panel (LEP) to inform the development of research priorities and provide input on conducting embedded pragmatic clinical trials (ePCTs) of dementia care interventions. Given the importance of people with lived experience to dementia research, and the unique considerations of engaging people with dementia, we report on our process for the recruitment, selection, and initial convening of the IMPACT LEP.

Methods: The IMPACT Engaging Partners Team, in partnership with the Alzheimer's Association, sought nominations of individuals with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia, care partners of other people living with dementia (PLWD), and proxy representatives for individuals with mid-to-late stage dementia.

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Introduction: The effect of spinal versus general anesthesia on the risk of postoperative delirium or other outcomes for patients with or without cognitive impairment (including dementia) is unknown.

Methods: Post hoc secondary analysis of a multicenter pragmatic trial comparing spinal versus general anesthesia for adults aged 50 years or older undergoing hip fracture surgery.

Results: Among patients randomized to spinal versus general anesthesia, new or worsened delirium occurred in 100/295 (33.

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Three pathologic processes are characteristic of Alzheimer disease (AD): β-amyloid, hyperphosphorylated tau, and neurodegeneration. Our understanding of AD is undergoing a transformation due to our ability to measure biomarkers of these processes across different stages of cognitive impairment. There is growing interest in using AD biomarker tests in care and research and, with this, a growing need for guidance on how to return these sensitive results to patients and participants.

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A staggering number of individuals live with cognitive decline. Primary care providers are ideally situated to detect the first signs of cognitive decline, but many persons remain undiagnosed. This limits their access to appropriate care.

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