Warfarin Versus Non-Vitamin K Inhibitors Medications and Cognitive Disease Progression in Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with cognitive decline. Use of oral anticoagulant (OAC) medications offers a lower risk of dementia, but it is unclear whether differences exist between types of OAC agents.

Objective: This was a secondary analysis to explore whether the progression from normal cognition to mild cognitive impairment to dementia differs between adults with AF on warfarin versus non-vitamin K inhibitors medications (NOACs) using data extracted from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center clinical case series.

Advancements in Immunity and Dementia Research: Highlights from the 2023 AAIC Advancements: Immunity Conference.

The immune system is a key player in the onset and progression of neurodegenerative disorders. While brain resident immune cell-mediated neuroinflammation and peripheral immune cell (eg, T cell) infiltration into the brain have been shown to significantly contribute to Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology, the nature and extent of immune responses in the brain in the context of AD and related dementias (ADRD) remain unclear. Furthermore, the roles of the peripheral immune system in driving ADRD pathology remain incompletely elucidated.

Pilot: Salivary Lactoferrin as a Biomarker of Alzheimer's Disease.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) research has focused on developing accessible biomarkers that accurately detect disease pathology and progression before symptoms present. Lactoferrin (Lf) is an iron-binding antimicrobial glycoprotein found in all biological fluids, and its concentration in saliva has been correlated with AD symptoms. This pilot project aimed to determine whether salivary lactoferrin (sLF) has potential as a biomarker for AD.

Oral Microbiome and Cognition Among Black Cancer Caregivers.

Background: Despite known links between oral health and dementia and the growing understanding of the role of the human microbiome in health, few studies have explored the relationship between the oral microbiome and cognition. Additionally, there is a notable absence of research on how the oral microbiome is associated with cognitive function in Black adult caregivers of cancer patients despite their elevated risk for both oral disease and cognitive impairment.

Objectives: This study aimed to characterize the oral microbiome of Black caregivers of people living with cancer and explore the association of the oral microbiome with cognitive performance.