Gaps in biomedical research in frontotemporal dementia: A call for diversity and disparities focused research.

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is one of the leading causes of young-onset dementia before age 65, typically manifesting as abnormal behavior (in behavioral variant FTD) or language impairment (in primary progressive aphasia). Although FTD affects all populations across the globe, knowledge regarding the pathophysiology and genetics derives primarily from studies conducted in North America and Western Europe. Globally, biomedical research for FTD is hindered by variable access to diagnosis, discussed in this group's earlier article, and by reduced access to expertise, funding, and infrastructure.

European cross-cultural neuropsychological test battery (CNTB) for the assessment of cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis: Cognitive phenotyping and classification supported by machine learning techniques.

Background: The European Cross-Cultural Neuropsychological Test Battery (CNTB) has been proposed as a comprehensive battery for cognitive assessment, reducing the potential impact of cultural variables. In this validation study, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic capacity of CNTB for the assessment of participants with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) compared to the Neuronorma battery (NN) according to the International Classification of Cognitive Disorders in MS criteria, and to develop machine learning (ML) algorithms to improve the diagnostic capacity of CNTB and to select the most relevant tests.

Methods: Sixty pwMS and 60 healthy controls (HC) with no differences in sex, age, or years of education were enrolled.

Conversion between the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale and Mini-Mental State Examination test scores in majority and minority populations.

Introduction: Despite the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS) having significant advantages as a cognitive screening tool, particularly for minority populations, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) test is the most widely used test for cognitive screening in Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study aimed to develop a conversion table to predict MMSE scores from observed RUDAS scores, allowing an easy-to-use method to compare both screening tests.

Methods: The equipercentile equating method was used to develop the conversion table using a training sample consisting of cognitively intact participants and individuals with early-stage AD.

FDG-PET-based neural correlates of Addenbrooke's cognitive examination III scores in Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal degeneration.

Introduction: The Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III (ACE-III) is a brief test useful for neuropsychological assessment. Several studies have validated the test for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). In this study, we aimed to examine the metabolic correlates associated with the performance of ACE-III in AD and behavioral variant FTD.

Normative Data in Cross-Cultural Neuropsychological Instruments in Spaniards and Colombians Living in Spain.

Background: Cross-Cultural Dementia Screening (CCD), Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS), and European Cross-cultural Neuropsychological Test Battery (CNTB) are three novel neuropsychological instruments developed from a cross-cultural perspective to reduce the impact of culture in cognitive assessment and improve the assessment in diverse populations.

Objective: We aimed to collect and present normative data on these tests in a majority population sample (Spaniards living in Spain) and in a minority population sample (Colombians living in Spain).

Methods: CCD, RUDAS, and CNTB were administered to a group of 300 cognitively healthy participants (150 Spaniards and 150 Colombians).

Validation of the European Cross-Cultural Neuropsychological Test Battery (CNTB) for the assessment of mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Background: The Cross-Cultural Neuropsychological Test Battery (CNTB) is a novel test battery specifically designed to reduce the impact of multiculturality in cognitive assessment.

Objective: We aimed to validate the CNTB in Spaniards in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), including patients at mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild dementia stages, and Parkinson's disease with MCI (PD-MCI).

Methods: Thirty patients with AD-MCI, 30 with AD-dementia (AD-D), and 30 with PD-MCI were recruited.

Validation of the cross-cultural dementia screening test in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Objective: The Cross-Cultural Dementia (CCD) is a new screening tool to evaluate cognitive impairment based on a cross-cultural perspective to reduce the bias of education, and language and cultural differences. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic properties of the CCD in Spaniards for the assessment of patients with Alzheimer's disease in mild cognitive impairment (AD-MCI) and mild dementia stages (AD-D) and patients with mild cognitive impairment associated with Parkinson's disease (PD-MCI).

Methods: Sixty participants with AD (50% MCI) and thirty with PD-MCI were enrolled.

Multi-Disease Validation of the RUDAS for Cognitive Screening in Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, and Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: The Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS) is a cognitive test with favorable diagnostic properties for detecting dementia and a low influence of education and cultural biases.

Objective: We aimed to validate the RUDAS in people with Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: We enrolled one hundred and fifty participants (60 with AD, 30 with PD, 60 with MS, and 120 healthy controls (HC)).

Neural basis of visuospatial tests in behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia.

Background: Recent models of visuospatial functioning suggest the existence of three main circuits emerging from the dorsal ("where") route: parieto-prefrontal pathway, parieto-premotor, and parieto-medial temporal. Neural underpinnings of visuospatial task performance and the sparing of visuospatial functioning in bvFTD are unclear. We hypothesized different neural and cognitive mechanisms in visuospatial tasks performance in bvFTD and AD.

Validation of two new scales for the assessment of fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis: F-2-MS and FACIT-F.

Background: Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms in neurology, especially in MS patients with a prevalence of 65%. It is described as the most disabling symptom by 40% of MS patients. This study aimed to validate the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy fatigue version (FACIT-F) and the F-2-MS scale, a new tool to distinguish between fatigue and fatigability.

Design and Verbal Fluency in Alzheimer's Disease and Frontotemporal Dementia: Clinical and Metabolic Correlates.

Objective: Cognitive processes underlying verbal and design fluency, and their neural correlates in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and behavioural variant Frontotemporal Dementia (bvFTD) remain unclear. We hypothesised that verbal and design fluency may be associated with distinct neuropsychological processes in AD and FTD, showing different patterns of impairment and neural basis.

Methods: We enrolled 142 participants including patients with AD (n = 80, mean age = 74.

Risk and outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Background And Purpose: Limited information is available on incidence and outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This study investigated the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19-related outcomes in patients with MS, and compared these with the general population.

Methods: A regional registry was created to collect data on incidence, hospitalization rates, intensive care unit admission, and death in patients with MS and COVID-19.

Infection Mechanism of SARS-COV-2 and Its Implication on the Nervous System.

In late December 2019, multiple atypical pneumonia cases resulted in severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by a pathogen identified as a novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. The most common coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms are pneumonia, fever, dry cough, and fatigue. However, some neurological complications following SARS-CoV-2 infection include confusion, cerebrovascular diseases, ataxia, hypogeusia, hyposmia, neuralgia, and seizures.

The Five-Point Test: Normative data for middle-aged and elderly Spaniards.

The Five-Point Test (5PT) is a neuropsychological tool for examining design or figural fluency. In this study, we aimed to provide normative data for the 5PT in Spain. Also, we aimed to compare the norms collected in our research with other normative studies from other populations to evaluate a potential cross-cultural application of 5PT.

Experimental Models for the Study of Central Nervous System Infection by SARS-CoV-2.

Introduction: The response to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus epidemic requires increased research efforts to expand our knowledge of the disease. Questions related to infection rates and mechanisms, the possibility of reinfection, and potential therapeutic approaches require us not only to use the experimental models previously employed for the SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV coronaviruses but also to generate new models to respond to urgent questions.

Development: We reviewed the different experimental models used in the study of central nervous system (CNS) involvement in COVID-19 both in different cell lines that have enabled identification of the virus' action mechanisms and in animal models (mice, rats, hamsters, ferrets, and primates) inoculated with the virus.

Self-reported periodontitis and migraine: results from a multicenter, cross-sectional survey in Spain.

The aim of this study was to evaluate self-reported periodontitis (PD) prevalence in migraineurs as well as to investigate the association between both diseases. A cross-sectional survey was carried out including patients diagnosed with migraine attending 12 Spanish Headache Units. We determined diagnosis of PD administering a validated self-reported questionnaire.

What is the meaning of PASAT rejection in multiple sclerosis?

Background: Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) is one of the most used neuropsychological tests in multiple sclerosis (MS), specially for screening. However, the applicability of the test is limited because of the rejection of the test completion in a proportion of patients. We aimed to investigate the clinical, neuropsychological, and MRI findings associated to PASAT rejection.

Identification of Cortical and Subcortical Correlates of Cognitive Performance in Multiple Sclerosis Using Voxel-Based Morphometry.

Cognitive impairment is an important feature in multiple sclerosis (MS) and has been associated to several Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) markers, but especially brain atrophy. However, the relationship between specific neuropsychological tests examining several cognitive functions and brain volumes has been little explored. Furthermore, because MS frequently damage subcortical regions, it may be an interesting model to examine the role of subcortical areas in cognitive functioning.

Conversion between Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III and Mini-Mental State Examination.

Unlabelled: ABSTRACTBackground:We aim to provide a conversion between Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III (ACE-III) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores, to predict the MMSE result based on ACE-III, thus avoiding the need for both tests, and improving their comparability.

Methods: Equipercentile equating method was used to elaborate a conversion table using a group of 400 participants comprising healthy controls and Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Then, reliability was assessed in a group of 100 healthy controls and patients with AD, 52 with primary progressive aphasia and 22 with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia.