Drug Development.

Background: Vaxxinity is developing an active immunotherapy targeting Tau for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other tauopathies. VXX-301 is a multi-epitope vaccine designed to target the N-terminal and repeat domains of Tau. This design enables targeting multiple forms of Tau thought to contribute to Tau associated pathologies.

Drug Development.

Background: Some types of cancer have been associated with reduced risk of clinical dementia diagnosis. Whether cancer history may be associated with neuropathological features of neurodegeneration or cerebrovascular disease is not well understood. We investigated the relation between cancer diagnosis and brain pathology in a sample of community-based research volunteers enrolled in an Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) cohort.

Indirect Detection of the Protons in and around Biradicals and their Mechanistic Role in MAS-DNP.

The contribution of protons in or near biradical polarizing agents in Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) has recently been under scrutiny. Results from selective deuteration and simulations have previously suggested that the role of protons in the biradical molecule depends on the strength of the electron-electron coupling. Here we use the cross effect DNP mechanism to identify and acquire H solid-state NMR spectra of the protons that contribute to propagation of the hyperpolarization, via an experimental approach dubbed Nuclear-Nuclear Double Resonance (NUDOR).

Drug Development.

Background: Transcutaneous stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (tVNS) was administered to participants diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to improve word-list memory (primary outcome) and other cognitive skills.

Method: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design was used for this trial. Participants with MCI (n = 59) were sorted into one of two sequences: Sham-tVNS or tVNS-Sham.

Drug Development.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common copathology in Lewy body dementia (LBD). The presence of AD is associated with a distinct clinical presentation, faster progression, and shorter survival in LBD. However, the relationship between-alpha synuclein and AD remains incompletely understood.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: Aging associates with decreased functional connectivity between brain regions linked to musical rhythm perception. Producing rhythmic music may result in strengthened functional connectivity of these regions, but more evidence is needed to support intervention design. Currently, few studies directly contrast younger and older adults' rhythmic music performance to understand brain-behavior relationships.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: Despite data showing nutritional interventions high in antioxidant/anti-inflammatory properties (anthocyanin-rich foods such as blueberries/elderberries) may decrease risk of memory loss and cognitive decline, evidence for such effects in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients is limited. Therefore, we examined preliminary effects of American elderberry (Sambucus nigra canadensis) juice on cognition and inflammatory markers in MCI patients in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

Method: MCI patients (N =  24, M =  76.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: The African-American Alzheimer's Caregiver Training and Support Project 2 (ACTS2) is a faith-integrated, skills-training and support program for Black family caregivers of persons living with dementia in Florida. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ACTS2 initiated a bi-monthly Facebook Live Workshop series, offering practical information and resources for Black communities on dementia caregiving topics (e.g.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: Rapidly progressive dementia (RPD) is variably defined across published cohorts. A standardized definition is needed to support multicenter studies required to inform the causes of RPD and optimize recognition and management of treatment-responsive causes. An optimal definition will capture the broad spectrum of causes of RPD, adequately differentiate patients with rapid and typically progressive presentations of neurodegenerative disease, and be reliably implemented across healthcare settings and centers.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a common and burdensome neurodegenerative dementia, that remains under-recognized and under-studied. Caregivers play an important role, although research on their needs is lacking. Understanding and addressing their concerns can help improve their well-being, the care they provide for their loved ones, and also participation in research.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: Acculturation is a relevant variable in the assessment of dementia. Little is known about the type of acculturation scales and the frequency in which they are used in dementia research among Latinos/Hispanics in the US. The purpose of this paper was to conduct a systematic review of published studies that investigated the use of acculturation measures toward Latinos and Hispanics who are diagnosed with dementia.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: African Americans (AA) are underrepresented in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain donation research, making up approximately 2% of brain donations to the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC). Focus groups were conducted to obtain qualitative information to expand upon survey data that was collected previously to gain additional insights into the attitudes of Black∖AA individuals toward brain donation and perceptions of medical research.

Method: A brain donation focus group facilitator guide was created based upon earlier survey findings.

Dementia Care Practice.

Community Health Workers (CHWs), also known as Promotores de Salud expand health equity to underserved and hard-to-reach communities by providing increased access to healthcare and support services for caregivers and persons living with dementia (PLWD). CHWs have been particularly useful in supporting Hispanic/Latino communities, who are 1.5 times more likely to develop Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias than non-Hispanic whites and are less likely to access support services due to language and cultural barriers.

Dementia Care Practice.

Introduction: Colonoscopies are medical procedures used to identify colon abnormalities and remove polyps to decrease the incidence of colorectal cancer. Prior to this exam, patients must undergo bowel preparation to ensure proper cleansing of the colon and maximize outcomes (e.g.

Dementia Care Practice.

Background: The Florida Department of Elder Affairs and Navigating Aging Needs, LLC (NAN) recently formed a public-private partnership providing virtual support to family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease (AD) living at home. The program targets a diverse population with high-level daily care needs and at increased risk for continuing decline and costly Medicaid-supported care.

Objectives: To reduce the risk of hospitalizations and falls for people living with Alzheimer's disease.

Dementia Care Practice.

Patients with dementia (PWD) often face challenges with daily activities due to communication challenges, which may lead to negative outcomes for those with dementia and their family caregivers alike. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices have demonstrated to be feasible in supporting communication among PWD (May et al., 2019) through text, graphics, and/or sound.

Technology and Dementia Preconference.

Patients with dementia (PWD) often face challenges with daily activities due to communication challenges, which may lead to negative outcomes for those with dementia and their family caregivers alike. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices have demonstrated to be feasible in supporting communication among PWD (May et al., 2019) through text, graphics, and/or sound.

Performance of the High-STEACS Early Rule Out Pathway Using hs-cTnT at 30 Days in a Multisite US Cohort.

Background: The High-STEACS (High-Sensitivity Troponin in the Evaluation of Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome) pathway risk stratifies emergency department patients with possible acute coronary syndrome. This study aims to determine if the High-STEACS hs-cTnT (high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T) pathway can achieve the ≥99% negative predictive value (NPV) safety threshold for 30-day cardiac death or myocardial infarction (CDMI) in a multisite US cohort of patients with and without known coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: A secondary analysis of the STOP-CP (High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin T [Gen 5 STAT Assay] to Optimize Chest Pain Risk Stratification) cohort, which enrolled adult emergency department patients with possible acute coronary syndrome at 8 US sites (January 25, 2017-September 6, 2018).

Dementia Care Practice.

Introduction: Colonoscopies are routine procedures performed primarily on adults over the age of 50; however, there is little known about the influence of social determinants of health on successful completion of colonoscopies. Inadequate at-home bowel preparation can result in increased procedure duration, decreased cancer detection, and may necessitate a repeated colonoscopy, putting undue stress on the patient. Research suggests neurocognitive disorder is a risk factor for poor bowel preparation in older adults; however, lower education may confound neurocognitive findings, independently contributing to risk of incomplete colonoscopies.

Technology and Dementia Preconference.

Background: Semantic memory refers to knowledge of attributes associated with common objects. Quantifying the strength of semantic association between successive 'animal' fluency responses can be challenging. The current research assessed between-group differences for 'animal' fluency total output and selected verbal serial list learning, episodic memory measures.

Technology and Dementia Preconference.

Background: The Florida Department of Elder Affairs and Navigating Aging Needs, LLC (NAN) recently formed a public-private partnership providing virtual support to family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease (AD) living at home. The program targets a diverse population with high-level daily care needs and at increased risk for continuing decline and costly Medicaid-supported care. Objectives To reduce the risk of hospitalizations and falls for people living with Alzheimer's disease.

Variant Pseudocystic Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor With Heterologous Mullerian Cysts.

A desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) presented in a 13-year-old female with an acute abdomen due to torsion of a fallopian tube cyst. She was found to have an incidental 2 cm pedunculated, solid, and multicystic mass attached to the pelvic floor on laparoscopy. The neoplasm had a variably myxoid and spindle cell pattern with nests and cords of small cells, forming pseudocysts, and true cysts lined by ciliated epithelium which were PAX-8+ and ER+/PR+.

Technology and Dementia Preconference.

Background: There is an urgent need for neuropsychological screening tests that are easily deployed and reliable. We have developed a digital neuropsychological screening protocol that is administered on a tablet, automatically scored using artificial intelligence, and requires approximately 10 minutes to administer. This tablet-administered protocol assesses the requisite neurocognitive constructs associated with emergent neurodegenerative illness METHOD: The digital protocol was administered to 77 ambulatory care/ memory clinic patients (Table1).

Technology and Dementia Preconference.

Background: Digital neuropsychological assessment easily captures behavior previously not obtainable by traditional pencil-and-paper tests. Verbal serial list learning tests are commonly used to assess for putative neurogenerative syndromes. Recognition test performance is often expressed compiling simple 'yes/ no' responses, but fail to assess process metrics such as the latency to respond to individual recognition test items.

Precision Opioid Prescription in ICU Surgery: Insights from an Interpretable Deep Learning Framework.

Purpose: Appropriate opioid management is crucial to reduce opioid overdose risk for ICU surgical patients, which can lead to severe complications. Accurately predicting postoperative opioid needs and understanding the associated factors can effectively guide appropriate opioid use, significantly enhancing patient safety and recovery outcomes. Although machine learning models can accurately predict postoperative opioid needs, lacking interpretability hinders their adoption in clinical practice.