Caregiver self-efficacy and associated factors among caregivers of patients with dementia with Lewy bodies and caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is characterized by neuropsychiatric symptoms, which can be distressing to caregivers. However, little is known about their subjective distress in terms of caregiver self-efficacy. Thus, we examined the differences in caregiver self-efficacy and their associated factors between DLB and Alzheimer's disease (AD) caregivers.

Anxiety Impacts Consent Capacity to Treatment in Alzheimer's Disease.

This study aimed to clarify how behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and cognitive function affect the decision-making capacity of persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD) in a real informed consent situation about anti-dementia drug prescriptions. The participants were 76 patients with AD. We used the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool to assess the capacity for consent to treatment (MacCAT-T).

Widespread White Matter Aberrations Are Associated with Phonemic Verbal Fluency Impairment in Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury.

Microstructural white matter (WM) disruption and resulting abnormal structural connectivity form a potential underlying pathology in traumatic brain injury (TBI). Herein, to determine the potential mechanism of cognitive deterioration in TBI, we examined the association of damage to specific WM tracts with cognitive function in TBI patients. We recruited 18 individuals with mild-to-moderate/severe TBI in the chronic phase and 17 age-matched controls.

Factor structure of the Japanese version of the Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease Scale (QOL-AD).

Background: The Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease Scale (QOL-AD) developed by Logsdon et al. in1999 is believed to be useful for evaluating responses from both patients and their caregivers. We previously confirmed both the reliability and the validity of the Japanese version of the QOL-AD.

Depression and Dementia in Old-Old Population: History of Depression May Be Associated with Dementia Onset. The Tome Project.

In this study, we investigated the relationship among a history of depression, depressive states, and dementia in a community-based old-old cohort. From 2012 to 2013, we recruited 200 subjects residing in Tome, Japan. Ultimately, 181 subjects were enrolled in our study and completed the whole study protocol.

No association between BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and treatment response in obsessive-compulsive disorder in the Japanese population.

Aim: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of the neurotrophin family, and it promotes the development and function of dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons. The Met allele of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism is associated with a decrease in activity-dependent secretion of BDNF compared with the Val allele, and a number of studies have provided evidence for the association between this polymorphism and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether this functional variant of the BDNF gene is associated with OCD and treatment response in patients with OCD in the Japanese population.

Relationships among Communication Self-Efficacy, Communication Burden, and the Mental Health of the Families of Persons with Aphasia.

Background: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the relationships among communication self-efficacy (SE), communication burden, and the mental health of the families of persons with aphasia using structural equation modeling (SEM).

Methods: This study examined 110 pairs of persons with aphasia receiving home care and 1 family caregiver per person with aphasia. The survey items for this study consisted of the Communication Self-efficacy Scale, the Communication Burden Scale, the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form-Japanese, and the Health-Related Quality of Life: SF-8 Health Survey.

δ Scores are Exportable Across Cultural and Linguistic Boundaries.

The latent variable "δ", can accurately diagnose dementia. Its generalizability across populations is unknown. We constructed a δ homolog ("dT2J") in data collected by the Texas Alzheimer's Research and Care Consortium (TARCC).

Greater than the Sum of Its Parts: δ can be Constructed from Item Level Data.

"δ", a latent variable constructed from cognitive performance and functional status measures, can accurately diagnose dementia. The minimal assessment needed is unknown. We have constructed a δ homolog, "dTEXAS", from Telephone Executive Assessment Scale (TEXAS) items, and validated it in a convenience sample of Japanese persons (n = 176).

Predicting the neural effect of switching from donepezil to galantamine based on single-photon emission computed tomography findings in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Background: A number of neuroimaging studies have addressed the specific effect of treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors on the frontal lobe in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the neural effects of cholinesterase inhibitors on both apathy and executive dysfunction remain unclear. We examined whether baseline regional cerebral blood flow, as determined by using single-photon emission computed tomography, is capable of predicting changes in apathy and executive dysfunction in response to AD patients switching from donepezil to galantamine therapy.

No association between the COMT Val158Met polymorphism and the long-term clinical response in obsessive-compulsive disorder in the Japanese population.

Objective: Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is an enzyme that participates in the metabolic inactivation of dopamine and norepinephrine, and the Met allele of the COMT Val158Met polymorphism is associated with lower enzymatic activity. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether this functional variant is associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and the clinical responses in OCD.

Methods: We first performed a case-control association study between the COMT Val158Met polymorphism and OCD (171 cases and 944 controls).

Greater than the sum of its parts: δ Improves upon a battery's diagnostic performance.

Objective: "δ", a latent variable constructed from batteries that contain both cognitive and functional status measures, can accurately diagnose dementia relative to expert clinicians. The minimal assessment needed is unknown.

Methods: We validated 2 δ homologs in a convenience sample of elderly Japanese persons with normal cognition (NC), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia (n = 176).

Brain structural abnormalities in behavior therapy-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder revealed by voxel-based morphometry.

Background: Although several functional imaging studies have demonstrated that behavior therapy (BT) modifies the neural circuits involved in the pathogenesis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), the structural abnormalities underlying BT-resistant OCD remain unknown.

Methods: In this study, we examined the existence of regional structural abnormalities in both the gray matter and the white matter of patients with OCD at baseline using voxel-based morphometry in responders (n=24) and nonresponders (n=15) to subsequent BT. Three-dimensional T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging was performed before the completion of 12 weeks of BT.

Japanese versions of the executive interview (J-EXIT25) and the executive clock drawing task (J-CLOX) for older people.

Background: The aim of the study was to develop the Japanese versions of Executive Interview (J-EXIT25) and Executive Clock Drawing Task (J-CLOX) and to evaluate the aspects of executive function that these two tests will be examining.

Methods: The concurrent validity and reliability of J-EXIT25 and J-CLOX were first examined in all participants (n = 201). Next, the relationship between the two tests was examined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC), correlation, and regression analyses in healthy participants (n = 45) and participants with mild cognitive impairment (n = 36) and dementia (n = 95).

Neural basis of three dimensions of agitated behaviors in patients with Alzheimer disease.

Background: Agitated behaviors are frequently observed in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD). The neural substrate underlying the agitated behaviors in dementia is unclear. We hypothesized that different dimensions of agitated behaviors are mediated by distinct neural systems.

Effects of cognitive stimulation therapy Japanese version (CST-J) for people with dementia: a single-blind, controlled clinical trial.

Objectives: Cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) has shown to have significant benefits in improving the cognitive function and quality of life (QOL) in people with mild-to-moderate dementia in a UK randomized controlled trial (RCT). We developed and examined the Japanese version of group CST (CST-J) in a single-blind, controlled clinical trial.

Method: CST-J consisting of 14 sessions was administered to a treatment group (n = 26) twice a week for 7 weeks.

Decreased white matter integrity before the onset of delusions in patients with Alzheimer's disease: diffusion tensor imaging.

Background: The pathology of delusions in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) associated with white matter (WM) abnormalities is poorly understood. In addition, whether the abnormalities in WM integrity that underlie the delusions develop before the onset of the delusions remains unclear. In this study, we used a diffusion tensor imaging approach to examine the existence of baseline abnormalities in WM integrity in AD patients who developed delusions and AD patients who did not develop delusions.

Behavior management approach for agitated behavior in Japanese patients with dementia: a pilot study.

Background: Agitated behaviors are frequently observed in patients with dementia and can cause severe distress to caregivers. However, little evidence of the efficacy of nonpharmacological interventions for agitated behaviors exists for patients with dementia. The present pilot study aimed to evaluate a behavioral management program developed by the Seattle Protocols for patients with agitated behaviors in Japan.