CSF Biomarkers in Longitudinal Alzheimer Disease Cohorts: Pre-Analytic Challenges.

Background: The sensitivity of amyloid to pre-analytic factors complicates cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diagnostics for Alzheimer disease. We report reliability and validity evidence for automated immunoassays from frozen and fresh CSF samples in an ongoing, single-site research program.

Methods: CSF samples were obtained from 2 Wisconsin cohorts (1256 measurements; 727 participants).

Vitamin B6 and vitamin D deficiency co-occurrence in geriatric memory patients.

Introduction: Vitamin B6 and D levels are not assessed routinely in geriatric memory patients. This study examined vitamin levels to determine the potential effects on cognition.

Methods: A chart review was conducted of 203 consecutive patients over a 12-month period.

Trajectory of clinical symptoms in relation to amyloid chronicity.

Introduction: While it is generally appreciated that amyloid precedes symptomatic Alzheimer's disease (AD) by decades, a greater understanding of this timeline may increase prognostic accuracy, planning, and care of persons who are on the AD continuum.

Methods: We examined trajectories of Clinical Dementia Rating-Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB) relative to estimated years of amyloid positivity (A+) in  = 123 participants who were all A+ based on [C-11]Pittsburgh compound B positron emission tomography.

Results: The average amyloid chronicity at CDR-SB of 2.

The Impact of Risk and Resistance Factors on Quality of Life in Caregivers of Individuals with Dementia.

Objectives: The present study investigates the effect of caregiver and care recipient risk and resistance factors on caregiver quality of life (QOL). Risk factors are those characteristics that contribute to psychosocial maladjustment of the caregiver and reduce QOL, while resistance factors promote caregiver adjustment and improve QOL.

Methods: One-hundred and three caregiver/care recipient dyads were recruited from a memory assessment clinic in Midwestern United States.

Rapid correction of low vitamin D status in nursing home residents.

Unlabelled: This prospective study finds that ergocalciferol 50,000 IU three times weekly for four weeks effectively and safely corrects vitamin D inadequacy in nursing home residents.

Introduction: Low vitamin D status is common among nursing home residents and contributes to bone loss, falls and fractures. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of short course, high dose, oral vitamin D(2) (ergocalciferol) treatment.