Drug Development.

Background: There is an urgent need for new therapeutic and diagnostic targets for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Dementia afflicts roughly 55 million individuals worldwide, and the prevalence is increasing with longer lifespans and the absence of preventive therapies. Given the demonstrated heterogeneity of Alzheimer's disease in biological and genetic components, it is critical to identify new therapeutic approaches.

Drug Development.

Background: Impaired Aβ clearance plays a key role in the common, late-onset AD. Anti-Aβ immunotherapies are controversial, in part because of high rates of serious side effects including edema, microhemorrhages, and siderosis, highlighting the importance of the development of alternative Aβ clearance strategy. Here, we introduce a bioinspired nanoparticle named MG-PE3 crossing the human blood-brain barrier (BBB) and clearing Aβ with no adverse effect.

Drug Development.

Background: The increased incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) rate represent an unmet medical need and thus critical for the development of novel molecular therapeutics. Recent work focusing on patients with apoE4 alleles has highlighted the association of brain cholesterol dysregulation with elevated pathological burden and neurodegeneration. These studies have highlighted the importance of the nuclear receptor Liver X receptor (LXR) for developing AD therapies.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: Black/African American adults (B/AAs) are 64% more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease (AD) than non-Hispanic White adults (NHWs), and risk factors, including non-biological determinants, are not fully delineated. Social determinants of health, such as socioeconomic status and lifetime discrimination, are associated with cognitive decline and increased AD risk. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships of a perceived discrimination measure with sociodemographic characteristics and cognitive function in a racially diverse cohort of middle-aged adults with a parental history of AD.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: Effect and Safety of Electroconvulsive Therapy plus Usual Care for the Acute Management of Severe Agitation in Dementia (ECT-AD) is a multi-site NIA-funded FDA-regulated pioneering clinical trial to investigate the effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in treating severe and treatment-refractory agitation and aggression among individuals with advanced dementia, a condition that has a profound negative impact on patient quality of life and caregiver burden. Here we present baseline demographics of the patient population in this ongoing trial.

Method: To date we have enrolled 18 participants, with a mean age of 74.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: Alzheimer's disease poses significant global health challenges, particularly as people increasingly turn to online platforms for health information in the digital era. Given the intricate nature of Alzheimer's, it is imperative to evaluate the readability of online content. This study aims to assess the readability of information related to Alzheimer's disease on reputable health websites.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: Alzheimer's disease poses significant global health challenges, particularly as people increasingly turn to online platforms for health information in the digital era. Given the intricate nature of Alzheimer's, it is imperative to evaluate the readability of online content. This study aims to assess the readability of information related to Alzheimer's disease on reputable health websites.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: Across a broad range of physical and cognitive outcomes in gerontology and geriatric practice, it is fundamentally important to establish systems for clinical decision-making. Current technological solutions include sensors for monitoring movement activity, however many of these methods are complex, invasive, and dependent on factors such as compliance, context, and idyllic conditions. An alternative approach to monitoring is through continuously active, noninvasive radiofrequency (NRF) sensors.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: More than 6 million people in the U.S. are currently living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD), and informal caregivers provide them with more than $270 billion annually in unpaid care.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: Reducing chronic inflammation has been linked to anti-inflammatory foods and may be implicated in treating Alzheimer's disease (AD). Plants produce antioxidants, such as phytochemicals, that appear to reduce the incidence of chronic inflammatory diseases. Phytochemicals may include active substances like polyphenols.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: The number of caregivers providing care for a family member or friend is on the rise. Dementia caregivers experience higher levels of stress and burden than caregivers of other chronic diseases due to the physical and emotional demands, and long duration of care provided. Thus, innovative tools are needed to aid in reducing caregiver stress and burden.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: Patterns of human movement evolve as an individual experiences the progression from cognitively intact (CIN) to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and finally dementia and Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Quantification of movement with the goal of identifying MCI though step counts alone do not take into consideration the floor layout of a home. Cyclomatic complexity is an approach to normalizing differences in the individual's living space to better predict the transition from CIN to MCI.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: Lipids are key modulators in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Dysregulation of lipid homeostasis may disrupt the blood brain barrier, alter myelination, disturb cellular signaling and cause abnormal processing of the amyloid precursor protein. The purpose of this scoping review was to evaluate fatty acid supplementation in patients with AD.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: Sundowning is the development or progression of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) often occurring in the afternoon or early evening. Noninvasive ambient sensors (NAS) monitor individuals without the need to wear a device or use a camera. The data from NAS sensors can identify movement patterns in the context of cyclomatic complexity to indicate when an individual may be sundowning.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: To promote caregiver health and reduce burden, the Savvy Caregiver Program (SCP), an evidence-based caregiving intervention, was adapted with a Native Hawaiian (NH) community in Hawai'i. The adaptation process occurred prior to pilot testing in two phases: 1) the preliminary adaptation by a community action board (CAB) and mentorship team and 2) pre-pilot testing and expert validation with NH adults. The preliminary adaptation, titled 'Auamo Kuleana O Nā Ma'i Poina ('Auamo Kuleana), aimed to include Hawaiian values, language, proverbs, and culturally relevant examples while maintaining the core components of the program.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: Dementia compromises physical function, posing risks for falls. People living with dementia (PWD) have been historically excluded from intervention trials due to researchers' eligibility criteria. Exercise shows potential in enhancing physical function, but more evidence is needed.

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: Exercise may improve dual-tasking and mobility impairments among people living with dementia (PWD), but more evidence is needed. The purpose of this pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to determine the effect of six months of exercise on single- and dual-task mobility compared to usual care alone in PWD.

Method: This assessor-blinded RCT (1:1) included n = 21 PWD in the usual care and n = 21 PWD in the exercise group at two residential care facilities (Age = 82 years, 35% female, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) = 10.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: Among Black caregivers of persons living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD), the overlay of health disparities and systemic discrimination substantially contribute to heightened adverse health outcomes. Black dementia caregivers report experiencing challenges in providing care that may be exacerbated by them receiving fewer support services and having more unmet needs compared to their racial counterparts. Furthermore, historical systemic failures and disadvantages impacting Black dementia caregivers contribute to long-established stressors and vulnerabilities.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: Historically underrepresented populations experience a disproportionate burden of Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease related dementias (AD/ADRD) compared to White populations. As a salient resource for coping in Black communities, spiritual and religious practice may support better cognitive health, but it is unknown if changes in these practices are related to cognitive decline.

Methods: We analyzed secondary data of cognitively normal (via Consensus Conference at enrollment) older adults in the U.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: Video interfacing is increasingly being used in research and health care. The 'VCog' Study seeks to determine whether remote research cognitive assessments are reliable and valid by directly comparing results from in-person administration of a standardized cognitive battery to the same battery administered remotely by video. The study also assesses technology use and comfort amongst participants of varying levels of cognitive impairment.

Dementia Care Practice.

Background: Harmful care including the prescribing of high-risk and potentially inappropriate medications for older people is widespread among older adults, including people living with dementia (PLWD). Integrated Memory Care (IMC) is a comprehensive dementia care model where patients and their family caregivers access dementia-sensitive geriatric primary care.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of adult patients of IMC, Cognitive Neurology (CN), and Primary Care (PC) clinics aged 65 and older with a diagnosis of dementia in 2019-2021.

Dementia Care Practice.

Background: There are no evidence-based exercise guidelines to reduce falls in people living with dementia (PWD). The purpose of this pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to determine the 1) feasibility and acceptability, and 2) effect of exercise on cognition and falls (exploratory) relative to usual care alone among PWD.

Methods: We randomized PWD to the exercise (n = 21) or usual care group (n = 21) at two residential care facilities in our pilot parallel, assessor-blinded RCT (1:1) [NCT05488951].

Dementia Care Practice.

The prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders (ADRD) is rising, and primary care providers (PCPs) will increasingly play a role in its detection. We developed an evidence-based intervention to facilitate cognitive evaluation in primary care. We then implemented it as a set of web-based trainings which were combined with specific tools embedded in the electronic health record (EHR) for PCPs to use in their practices.

CRISPR/Cas System: A Powerful Strategy to Improve Monogenic Human Diseases as Therapeutic Delivery; Current Applications and Challenges.

The 5,000 to 8,000 monogenic diseases are inherited disorders leading to mutations in a single gene. These diseases usually appear in childhood and sometimes lead to morbidity or premature death. Although treatments for such diseases exist, gene therapy is considered an effective and targeted method and has been used in clinics for monogenic diseases since 1989.