Exploring delusional themes and other symptoms in first episode psychosis: A network analysis over two timepoints.

Delusions are a defining feature of psychosis and play an important role in the conceptualization and diagnosis of psychotic disorders; however, the particular role that different delusions play in the prognosis of these disorders is not well understood. This study explored relationships between delusions and other symptoms in 674 first episode psychosis (FEP) individuals by comparing symptom networks between baseline and 12 months after intake to an early intervention service. Specifically, we (1) estimated regularized partial correlation networks at baseline and month 12, (2) identified the most central symptoms in each network, (3) identified clusters of highly connected symptoms, and (4) compared networks to examine changes in structure and connectivity.

Biomarkers.

Background: Characterizing pathological and functional features of the preclinical stage of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is essential as Amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau, the pathological hallmarks of AD, start to accumulate years prior to the onset of clinical symptoms. Whether Aβ and/or tau are related to the brain's ability to functionally reconfigure in time (functional flexibility) remains unclear despite its important role in behavior and cognition.

Method: We included 233 cognitively unimpaired individuals with family history of AD from the PREVENT-AD cohort who underwent both Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI).

Biomarkers.

Background: For medical purposes, amyloid-beta (Aβ) and tau biomarkers are typically dichotomized into positive (+) and negative (-) status to define individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. Nevertheless, such AD proteinopathies start accumulating years before reaching clinically-defined abnormality thresholds. We examined longitudinal change in PET Aβ and tau in cognitively unimpaired (CU) individuals; then we explored their baseline plasma levels and demographic characteristics.

Biomarkers.

Background: Tau-PET imaging allows in-vivo detection of neurofibrillary tangles. One tau-PET tracer (i.e.

Biomarkers.

Background: The heterogeneous etiology of "sporadic" Alzheimer's disease (sAD) includes genetic influences. To better understand synaptic dysfunction in AD pathogenesis, we used protein quantitative train loci (pQTL) assessments and a polygenic risk score (PRS) to examine the relationship between synaptic integrity and longitudinal cognitive performance in the presymptomatic phase of the disease.

Method: The PREVENT-AD cohort includes symptom-free elderly participants at risk of AD because of their family history.

Biomarkers.

Background: Alzheimer disease (AD) related cognitive decline occurs at relatively young ages in individuals with Down syndrome (DS, early-mid 50s) and in those with autosomal dominant mutations (ADAD, 40-50s). Both groups show similar patterns of amyloid accumulation. We examined if brain volumes are similarly affected by AD pathology in individuals with DS and ADAD.

Biomarkers.

Background: The immune complement system is key to the elimination of redundant neural connections in the brain through a process called synaptic pruning. In neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), this system may result in excessive synapse loss, leading to brain atrophy and cognitive impairment. While increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of complement proteins have been observed in patients with AD dementia, no studies have yet investigated the role of complement in the pre-symptomatic phase of AD, nor throughout its progression.

Biomarkers.

Background: Recent results from clinical trials in Alzheimer's disease (AD) emphasize the importance of treating early-stage disease. However, recruitment of preclinical AD participants is difficult due to the lack of symptoms, and the costs and/or invasiveness of established CSF and PET tests. We aimed to investigate whether plasma p-tau217 could be used to pre-screen cognitively unimpaired (CU) potential participants for amyloid-β (Aβ) pathology to improve the efficiency of clinical trial recruitment.

Biomarkers.

Background: Synaptic dysfunction is a central pathologic feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD), with synaptic loss even preceding neuronal loss in specific brain regions. In healthy individuals, synaptic function and plasticity are orchestrated through the complex integration of signaling inputs generated by cell surface receptors.

Methods: In this study, we investigate the role of one such receptor, protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor sigma (PTPRS), in the context of Alzheimer's disease.

Biomarkers.

Background: An accurate prediction of Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression is important for patient management and optimization of participant selection for trials. Here, we compared and combined plasma p-tau217 and tau-PET measures for predicting longitudinal cognitive decline and clinical progression in cognitively unimpaired participants.

Method: We included 982 participants from six independent cohorts (AiBL, BioFINDER-1, BioFINDER-2, TRIAD, PREVENT-AD and WRAP; Table 1) with available plasma p-tau217 and tau-PET measures (measured less than one-year apart), being either amyloid-positive or amyloid-negative.

Biomarkers.

Background: Synapse loss in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is correlates closely with cognitive impairment. Recent evidence suggests that synapse loss is promoted by amyloid-beta, leading in turn to the spread of tau pathology. We sought to assess: 1) the association in positron emission tomography (PET) between several cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) synaptic biomarkers and amyloid and tau burden, as well as their annual change; and 2) the potential clinical utility of these synaptic biomarkers in preclinical AD.

Biomarkers.

Background: Aβ plaques are the first detectable signs of AD pathology. Our group recently demonstrated that the astrocyte activation marker, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), has a pivotal role in the association between Aβ burden and tau phosphorylation. However, the role of astrocyte activation in individuals that do not present detectable Aβ pathology using biomarkers is still underexplored.

Biomarkers.

Background: PET biomarkers have proven valuable for identifying cognitively unimpaired (CU) individuals at-risk of near-term clinical progression. Given the increasing interest in plasma biomarkers to detect Alzheimer's pathology, we assessed levels of amyloid (Aβ) and tau (p-tau217 and p-tau181) biomarkers in plasma (A+T+) in CU individuals as predictors of clinical progression to mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We then repeated these analyses using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and PET biomarkers.

Alzheimer's Imaging Consortium.

Background: Tau-PET imaging allows in-vivo detection of neurofibrillary tangles. One tau-PET tracer (i.e.

Alzheimer's Imaging Consortium.

Background: Synapse loss in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is correlates closely with cognitive impairment. Recent evidence suggests that synapse loss is promoted by amyloid-beta, leading in turn to the spread of tau pathology. We sought to assess: 1) the association in positron emission tomography (PET) between several cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) synaptic biomarkers and amyloid and tau burden, as well as their annual change; and 2) the potential clinical utility of these synaptic biomarkers in preclinical AD.

Alzheimer's Imaging Consortium.

Background: Characterizing pathological and functional features of the preclinical stage of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is essential as Amyloid beta (Aß) and tau, the pathological hallmarks of AD, start to accumulate years prior to the onset of clinical symptoms. Whether Aß and/or tau are related to the brain's ability to functionally reconfigure in time (functional flexibility) remains unclear despite its important role in behavior and cognition.

Method: We included 233 cognitively unimpaired individuals with family history of AD from the PREVENT-AD cohort who underwent both Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI).

Alzheimer's Imaging Consortium.

Background: PET biomarkers have proven valuable for identifying cognitively unimpaired (CU) individuals at-risk of near-term clinical progression. Given the increasing interest in plasma biomarkers to detect Alzheimer's pathology, we assessed levels of amyloid (Aß42/40) and tau (p-tau217 and p-tau181) biomarkers in plasma (A+T+plasma) in CU individuals as predictors of clinical progression to mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We then repeated these analyses using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and PET biomarkers.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects about 416 million individuals across the disease continuum. An estimated 40% of dementia cases can be prevented or delayed in onset by addressing modifiable risk factors like sleep time, physical activity (PA), and mood. These three behaviors (sleep time, physical inactivity, and mood) are linked to cognitive decline, and their tridirectional link has been shown by prior research work.

PANORAMA: A 2021 Clinician Survey of Treatment Approaches for People With New Diagnoses of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis in the United Kingdom.

Background: The PANORAMA survey aimed to assess current treatment practice for individuals with new diagnoses of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in the United Kingdom and to explore variations in treatment approaches with an emphasis on escalation vs early high-efficacy treatment (HET) and treatment goals.

Methods: Health care professionals (HCPs) from the UK treating patients with RRMS took part in interviews facilitated by a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed descriptively using quantitative or qualitative methods, as appropriate.

Identifying 'Where' and 'How' Peer Support for Youth is Integrated into Community-Based Mental Health Services: A Survey Study.

To mitigate barriers to care among youth (12-25 years), community-based organizations have increasingly integrated peer support as a complement to clinical mental health care; however, information regarding the integration process is lacking. To explore organizational perspectives regarding the contexts and mechanisms underlying integration of peer support for youth accessing mental health services from community-based, youth-serving organizations. Representatives from community-based youth-serving organizations completed a survey describing the contexts in which they are located and their experiences integrating peer support.

Local Myoelectric Sensing During Human Colonic Tissue Perfusion.

Anastomotic leakage (AL) is one of the most devastating complications after colorectal surgery. The verification of the adequate perfusion of the anastomosis is essential to ensuring anastomosis integrity following colonic resections. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of measuring the electrical activity of the colonic muscularis externa at an anastomosis site for perfusion analysis following colorectal surgery.

Aberrant controllability of functional connectome during working memory tasks in patients with schizophrenia and unaffected siblings.

Background: Working memory deficit, a key feature of schizophrenia, is a heritable trait shared with unaffected siblings. It can be attributed to dysregulation in transitions from one brain state to another.

Aims: Using network control theory, we evaluate if defective brain state transitions underlie working memory deficits in schizophrenia.

Translating Evidence-Based Self-Management Interventions Using a Stepped-Care Approach for Patients With Cancer and Their Caregivers: A Pilot Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial Design.

Background: Self-directed interventions are cost-effective for patients with cancer and their family caregivers, but barriers to use can compromise adherence and efficacy.

Aim: Pilot a Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) to develop a time-varying dyadic self-management intervention that follows a stepped-care approach in providing different types of guidance to optimize the delivery of Coping-Together, a dyadic self-directed self-management intervention.

Methods: 48 patients with cancer and their caregivers were randomized in Stage 1 to: (a) Coping-Together (included a workbook and 6 booklets) or (b) Coping-Together + lay telephone guidance.

Clot signature in patients with large vessel occlusion stroke and concomitant active cancer.

Background And Purpose: Patients with active cancer face an increased risk of ischemic stroke. Also, stroke may be an initial indicator of cancer. In patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke treated with thrombectomy, analysis of the clot composition may contribute new insights into the pathological connections between these two conditions.

Laryngeal Cancer in the West of Scotland 2014-2020: Trends and Survival in a Cohort of 867 Patients.

Background: Laryngeal squamous cell cancer (LSCC) accounts for around one-third of head and neck cancers, with smoking and alcohol as major risk factors. Despite advances in organ preservation, survival rates have stagnated globally over recent decades. The impact of socioeconomic deprivation on LSCC outcomes in the West of Scotland remains underexplored.