Reporting of comorbidities and health status of participants in clinical trials testing amyloid- and tau-targeting monoclonal antibodies for Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review.

Background: Controversies exist around the external validity of clinical trials on disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Detailed information on the clinical characteristics of research participants is lacking, hampering the understanding of their representativeness.

Objective: This study aimed to systematically review the baseline comorbidities and health status of patients with AD enrolled in clinical trials.

Universal Prevention of Dementia in Italy: A Document Analysis of the 21 Italian Regional Prevention Plans.

Background: Up to 40% of dementia cases are theoretically avoidable and population-level interventions (i.e., universal prevention) are a key component in facing the global public health challenge of dementia.

The Italian guideline on diagnosis and treatment of dementia and mild cognitive impairment.

Introduction: Approximately 2 million people in Italy are currently living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 4 million are involved as family members or caregivers. Considering the significant impact of dementia, the Italian Ministry of Health entrusted the Italian National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità) with the development of a guideline within the Italian National Guideline System (Sistema Nazionale Linee Guida, SNLG) on the diagnosis and treatment of dementia and MCI. The main objective was to provide evidence-based recommendations aimed at reducing the variability and ensuring the appropriateness of clinical practices throughout the whole care process from identification and diagnosis to the end of life for people with dementia (PwD) or MCI and their families/caregivers.

The efficacy of cognitive stimulation, cognitive training, and cognitive rehabilitation for people living with dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Cognition-oriented treatments (COTs) are a group of non-pharmacological treatments aimed at maintaining or improving cognitive functioning. Specific recommendations on the use of these interventions in people living with dementia (PLwD) are included in the Italian Guideline on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment, developed by the Italian National Institute of Health. This systematic review and meta-analysis, based on the GRADE methodology, is part of the guideline.

A multicomponent personalized prevention program in the primary care setting: a randomized clinical trial in older people with noncommunicable chronic diseases (Primacare_P3 study).

Background: Multicomponent interventions based on a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) could promote active aging and improve health status in older people with Noncommunicable Chronic Diseases (NCDs), but conflicting evidences are available.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of a CGA-based multicomponent personalized preventive program (PPP) in reducing unplanned hospitalization rates during 12-month follow-up in community-dwelling older people with NCDs.

Materials And Methods: In this randomized clinical trial (RCT), 1216 older adults recruited by 33 general practitioners (GPs) will be randomly allocated to intervention group (IG) or usual care control group (CG).

The Italian guideline on comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) for the older persons: a collaborative work of 25 Italian Scientific Societies and the National Institute of Health.

Background: The guideline was promoted by the Italian General Practitioners-Primary Care and Geriatrics Hospital-Community Societies and was carried out involving the National Institute of Health and an Expert Panel including representatives from 25 Scientific and Health-Professional Organizations. The aim of the Guideline was to develop evidence-based recommendations on the efficacy of CGA in older people across different clinical settings and the accuracy and utility of CGA-based tools to assess prognosis.

Methods: According to the methodological handbook of the Italian National System of Guidelines and NICE criteria (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in England), the Guideline was produced based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation.

A Systematic Review on Drugs Acting as Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Agonists in the Treatment of Dementia.

Acetylcholine signaling is attenuated in early Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias. A significant reduction in the expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the brain of AD patients has also been reported in several molecular biological and in situ labeling studies. The modulation of the functional deficit of the cholinergic system as a pharmacological target could therefore have a clinical benefit, which is not to be neglected.

An updated overview of recent and ongoing deep brain stimulation (DBS) trials in patients with dementia: a systematic review.

Background: Dementia affects more than 55 million people worldwide. Several technologies have been developed to slow cognitive decline: deep brain stimulation (DBS) of network targets in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) have been recently investigated.

Objective: This study aimed to review the characteristics of the populations, protocols, and outcomes of patients with dementia enrolled in clinical trials investigating the feasibility and efficacy of DBS.

A Plasma Circular RNA Profile Differentiates Subjects with Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment from Healthy Controls.

The most frequently used biomarkers to support the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) are Aβ42, total-Tau, and phospho-tau protein levels in CSF. Moreover, magnetic resonance imaging is used to assess hippocampal atrophy, 18F-FDG PET to identify abnormal brain metabolism, and PET imaging for amyloid deposition. These tests are rather complex and invasive and not easily applicable to clinical practice.

The National Italian Guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of children with pediatric ataxias.

Background: Ataxia is a rare neurological condition causing a deficit in the coordination of motor activities, preventing the fluidity of movements. Children with ataxia may show several different ataxic signs, along with difficulties in walking autonomously and ataxic gait often associated with trunk instability. Ataxic signs can be either acute or chronic, and in either case, the diagnosis can be extremely complex.

The Italian fund for Alzheimer's and other dementias: strategies and objectives to face the dementia challenge.

The Italian Fund for Alzheimer's and other dementias was approved and signed in December 2021. The Fund is financed with 15 million euros in three years. The main goal is to provide new strategies in the field of dementia with a Public Health perspective.

A systematic review on drugs for synaptic plasticity in the treatment of dementia.

The aim of the present systematic review (SR) was to provide an overview of all published and unpublished clinical trials investigating the safety and efficacy of disease-modifying drugs targeting synaptic plasticity in dementia. Searches on CT.gov and EuCT identified 27 trials (4 phase-1, 1 phase-1/2, 18 phase-2, 1 phase-2/3, 1 phase-3, 1 phase-4, and 1 not reported).

Computer-Based Cognitive Training in Children with Primary Brain Tumours: A Systematic Review.

Late neurocognitive sequelae are common among long-term brain tumour survivors, resulting in significantly worse quality of life. Cognitive rehabilitation through specific APP/software for PC/tablets represents an innovative intervention spreading in recent years. In this study, we aim to review the current evidence and trends regarding these innovative approaches.

A systematic review on the risk of neurodegenerative diseases and neurocognitive disorders in professional and varsity athletes.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review (SR) was to gather all available epidemiological evidence on former participation in any type of sport, at a professional and varsity level, as a potential risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) and neurocognitive disorders (NCDs).

Design: Systematic searches were performed on PubMed, the Cochrane databases, and the ISI Web of Knowledge databases. Included studies were assessed using the NOS checklist.

Safety and Efficacy of Monoclonal Antibodies for Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Published and Unpublished Clinical Trials.

Background: Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are currently among the most investigated targets for potential disease-modifying therapies in Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Objective: Our objectives were to identify all registered trials investigating mAbs in MCI due to AD or AD at any stage, retrieve available published and unpublished data from all registered trials, and analyze data on safety and efficacy outcomes.

Methods: A systematic search of all registered trials on ClinicalTrials.

Prevalence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Latium region, Italy.

Objective: Prevalence estimate of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) ranged between 1.1/100,000 and 11.2/100,000 inhabitants with different design of the study (prospective or retrospective) and sample size.

Reasons for SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and their role in the transmission of infection according to age: a case-control study.

Background: The locations where children get exposed to SARS-CoV-2 infection and their contribution in spreading the infection are still not fully understood. Aim of the article is to verify the most frequent reasons for SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and their role in the secondary transmission of the infection.

Methods: A case-control study was performed in all SARS-CoV-2 positive children (n = 81) and an equal number of age- and sex- matched controls who were referred to the S.

Artificial intelligence-enhanced intraoperative neurosurgical workflow: current knowledge and future perspectives.

Introduction: Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) augment decision-making processes and productivity by supporting surgeons over a range of clinical activities: from diagnosis and preoperative planning to intraoperative surgical assistance. We reviewed the literature to identify current AI platforms applied to neurosurgical perioperative and intraoperative settings and describe their role in multiple subspecialties.

Evidence Acquisition: A systematic review of the literature was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines.

A National Survey of Centers for Cognitive Disorders and Dementias in Italy.

Background: Italy has one of the oldest populations in the World and more than one million dementia cases can be estimated at the national level.

Objective: The objectives of this national survey include: 1) to report the administrative features and the professional competencies of Centers for Cognitive Disorders and Dementias (CCDDs); 2) to document possible discrepancies by geographic macro-area; and 3) to identify the features of CCDDs that are associated with a better quality in the provision of care.

Methods: A survey of Italian CCDDs was conducted between February 2014 and December 2015.

Exploring the association of early life physical activity and risk of dementia: a systematic review.

Introduction: Physical activity has been included in the list of twelve modifiable risk factors for dementia, despite conflicting results from observational and controlled studies. In particular it is not clear whether physical inactivity near the time of dementia diagnosis is a consequence or cause of dementia. We review all available studies reporting the possible association between having engaged in PA before 60 years of age and the risk of dementia.

Anticancer drugs repurposed for Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review.

Background: The relationship between cancer and dementia is triggering growing research interest. Several preclinical studies have provided the biological rationale for the repurposing of specific anticancer agents in Alzheimer's disease (AD), and a growing number of research protocols are testing their efficacy and safety/tolerability in patients with AD.

Methods: The aim of the present systematic review was to provide an overview on the repurposing of approved anticancer drugs in clinical trials for AD by considering both ongoing and completed research protocols in all phases.