Validation and convergent validity of the Boston cognitive assessment (BOCA) in an Italian population: a comparative study with the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) in Alzheimer's disease spectrum.

Background: The Boston Cognitive Assessment (BOCA) is a self-administered online test developed for cognitive screening and longitudinal monitoring of brain health in an aging population. The study aimed to validate BOCA in an Italian population and to investigate the convergent validity with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) in healthy ageing population and patients within the Alzheimer Disease spectrum.

Methods: BOCA was administered to 150 participants, including cognitively healthy controls (HC, n = 50), patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n = 50), and dementia (DEM, n = 50).

Sex Differences in the Severity and Progression of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms Across Different Dementia Types.

Background And Objectives: Dementia presents not only differing neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) across Alzheimer disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) but also subjective cognitive decline (SCD). This study examined sex-based variations in NPS severity and progression across these conditions.

Methods: We performed a longitudinal cohort study including 1,068 participants.

Defining the Role of Frailty in the Transition from Mild Cognitive Impairment to Dementia and in Dementia Progression.

Introduction: Neurodegenerative diseases are a growing concern in an aging global population. Frailty, often conceptualized as a state of diminished physiological reserve and increased susceptibility to stressors, emerges as a pivotal factor in this context. While frailty may be modified, it is essential to recognize its frequently irreversible nature, necessitating a careful approach when considering its role and influence in the progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to dementia and within dementia progression.

Vortioxetine Treatment for Depression in Patients with Prodromal vs Mild Alzheimer's Disease: A Six-Month, Open-Label, Observational Study.

Background: Depressive symptoms are common in Alzheimer disease (AD) from the prodromal stage. The benefits of antidepressants have been investigated in patients with AD dementia with mixed results.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of vortioxetine in prodromal and mild-to-moderate AD patients with depression, and to assess the comparative effect on secondary measures, including behavioral disturbances, cognitive function, and activities of daily living.

Assessing frailty at the centers for dementia and cognitive decline in Italy: potential implications for improving care of older people living with dementia.

Introduction: Frailty is strongly associated with the clinical course of cognitive impairment and dementia, thus arguing for the need of its assessment in individuals affected by cognitive deficits. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate frailty in patients aged 65 years and older referred to two Centers for Cognitive Decline and Dementia (CCDDs).

Methods: A total of 1256 patients consecutively referred for a first visit to two CCDDs in Lombardy (Italy) between January 2021 to July 2022 were included.