Drug Development.

Background: Novel anti-amyloid therapies (AAT) for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) have recently been approved in the United States, Japan and China, and are under regulatory review in Europe. Questions remain regarding the long-term effectiveness and value of these drugs when used in routine clinical practice. Data from follow-up studies will be important to inform their optimal use, including criteria for treatment initiation, monitoring strategies, stopping rules, pricing and reimbursement considerations.

Drug Development.

Background: The spatiotemporal pattern of the spread of pathologically modified tau through brain regions in Alzheimer's disease (AD) can be explained by prion-like cell-to-cell seeding and propagation of misfolded tau aggregates. Hence, to develop targeted therapeutic antibodies, it is important to identify the seeding- and propagation-competent tau species. The hexapeptide VQIINK of tau is a critical region for tau aggregation, and K280 is acetylated in various tauopathies including AD.

Drug Development.

Background: In preparation for therapeutic trails involving patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), there is a need for valid, disease-specific caregiver-reported outcome (CRO) measures capable of tracking symptomatic burden in response to therapy over time. CROs are useful tools in clinical trials for individuals with AD, MCI, and dementia who are unable to self-report. In addition, CROs are accepted by the United States Food and Drug Administration to support regulatory claims.

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: Randomized placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold standard to evaluate efficacy of new drug treatments for Alzheimer's disease. For example, the United States FDA approved the brain amyloid-targeting drug lecanemab following CLARITY AD, Biogen and Eisai's Phase 3 RCT. However, recruiting enough participants for a high-powered and demographically representative trial is difficult and expensive.

Drug Development.

Introduction: The United States is undergoing a demographic shift with increasing proportions of older adults. Currently, one in three older adults pass away with a form of Alzheimer's disease or related dementias (ADRD). This figure is higher in underrepresented and underserved groups including older adults in rural Appalachian communities.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: To systematically analyze the current situation and application of caregiver empowerment assessment tools at home and abroad, to provide a reference for the future development of caregiver empowerment assessment tools and the assessment of caregiver empowerment level.

Method: According to the research method of scope review, the relevant literature from the establishment of the database to October 2023 was searched, and the references of the included literature were traced, and the relevant literature of the caregiver empowerment assessment tool was comprehensively collected.

Result: A total of 856 articles were retrieved.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: Over half of the 6 million persons living with dementia (PLWD) in the United States visit emergency departments (EDs) annually. Because EDs play a vital role in providing care to PLWD, there has been increased attention to improving the ED care experience. Yet, measures to evaluate the ED care experience for PLWD focus predominantly on care utilization or distal outcomes (e.

Hepatic metabolism and ketone production in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Purpose Of Review: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is present in 25-35% of individuals in the United States. The purpose of this review is to provide the contextual framework for hepatic ketogenesis in MASLD and to spotlight recent advances that have improved our understanding of the mechanisms that drive its development and progression.

Recent Findings: Traditionally, hepatic ketogenesis has only been considered metabolically during prolonged fasting/starvation or with carbohydrate deplete ketogenic diets where ketones provide important alternative energy sources.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) populations are underrepresented in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) research, despite being the fastest growing racial group in the United States. The Collaborative Approach for AANHPI Research and Education (CARE) registry aims to create a sustainable research recruitment source to address this need.

Method: Participants can enroll online, by phone, or in-person by completing an enrollment survey in English, Chinese (Simplified/Traditional), Hindi, Korean, Samoan, or Vietnamese.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a significant contributor to hemorrhagic stroke, notably lobar intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and convexity subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), both of which have been observed in patients with MCI/AD. To evaluate all-cause mortality among veterans with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's dementia (AD) with/without Intracerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage (ICH/SAH) in the United States (US) Veterans Affairs Healthcare System (VAHS).

Method: Veterans with MCI or AD were identified based on having clinical notes or diagnostic codes in the VAHS database (2010-2019).

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: With the advent of FDA approved anti-amyloid therapy and recognition of increased side effects in APOE e4 carriers, APOE testing is now recommended for patients considering anti-amyloid therapies such as lecanemab. Given the therapeutic implications and anticipated volume of eligible patients, the traditional model of in-person, pre- and post-test genetic counseling is not feasible to incorporate in clinical pathways. Alternative delivery models, including digital tools and telehealth, will be key in providing APOE genetic counseling support.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: In the United States, approximately 2 million caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia (ADRD) are Latin American. As many of these caregivers are family or friends, most are not equipped with the tools necessary to address common behaviors associated with ADRD. Music-based interventions are an effective and accessible tool to assist caregivers in addressing these persistent behaviors.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: Black and African American adult males have the worst overall health than any other race or gender in the United States. The rate of Alzheimer's Disease is twice as high for Black and African American adults. Yet, little is known about how Black and African American adult males perceive the relationship between the social determinants of health and Alzheimer's Disease.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: The scarcity of resources and caregiving services, a higher prevalence of health conditions, and financial concerns in rural areas in the United States have been well-documented. However, less research has compared experiences between caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) in rural versus urban areas. This study sought to address this gap by identifying those unmet service needs, explore factors associated with service use, and propose tailored strategies for better serving the needs of both rural and urban caregivers.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: Loneliness and depression among older adults are linked to a higher likelihood of chronic diseases, deterioration of physical function, and compromised quality of life. LGBTQ older adults are known to experience social isolation and mental distress at higher rates than their heterosexual counterparts, and those with cognitive impairment may be particularly susceptible to loneliness and depression. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the risk and protective factors for loneliness and depression among LGBTQ older adults living with cognitive impairment.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: Frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) is an umbrella term encompassing a range of rare neurodegenerative disorders that cause progressive changes to behavior, personality, language, and movement with onset typically before age 60. Currently, several potential FTD therapies are under investigation, underscoring the need for increased diversity in research participation. Two validated scores describe socioeconomic and geographic factors that may impact willingness to participate in research.

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: Emerging research suggests that complementary and supportive care programs, such as music therapy, show positive short-term impacts (e.g., purposeful engagement, positive emotions) on persons with dementia who live in care facilities.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: An important aspect of quality of life is engagement in meaningful and purposeful activities. For people living with dementia (PLwD), opportunities to engage in purposeful activities can be vastly diminished. Successful engagement of individuals with dementia typically hinges upon selecting engagement targets and activities that are appropriate to the individual's level of cognitive functioning.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: In recent years, brain banks have become a valuable resource for examining the molecular underpinnings of various neurological and psychological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease; however, the availability of brain tissue has significantly declined. Proper collection, preparation, and preservation of post-mortem autopsy tissue are essential for optimal downstream brain tissue distribution and experimentation. Collaborations between brain banks through larger networks such as NeuroBioBank with centralized sample request mechanisms promote tissue distribution where brain donations are disproportionately lower.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: In the United States, Black people represent 12% of the total US population and account for 19.3% of dementia cases. Social determinants of health (SDOH) and vascular comorbidities contribute to Black/African Americans having a higher risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD).

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: Family caregivers of persons living with dementia (PLWD) in rural areas of the United States (U.S.) are isolated, under-served, and experience poor health outcomes.

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: Self-rated health status goes beyond a mere indicator of one's well-being, encompassing biological, social, and functional aspects. It has emerged as a significant variable in predicting mortality. Against this backdrop, understanding the impact of subjective health status on anxiety symptoms is crucial for individuals with dementia.

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.