Current Alzheimer Research - Volume 11, Issue 8, 2014

Purpose: [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET imaging of the brain can be used to assist in the differential diagnosis of dementia. Group differences in glucose uptake between patients with dementia and controls are well-known. However, a multivariate analysis technique called scaled subprofile model, principal component analysis (SSM/PCA) aiming at identifying diagnostic neural networks in diseases, have been applied less freq Read More

Increasing evidence supports the idea that chronic hypoperfusion in the brain is responsible for the pathogenesis underling Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Obesity at midlife is associated with the risk of cognitive loss and AD at later life. Obesity decreases cerebral blood flow that is associated with decreased synthesis and actions of nitric oxide (NO) derived from the endothelium and also increases the production of oxidative stress. Read More

The seeding of amyloid-β 40 (Aβ40) oligomers from monomers is the initial step of Aβ aggregation, and many reports have suggested that cholesterol enhances this step. We studied the potential of secosteroid vitamin D derivatives for Aβ40 aggregation in vitro. The quartz-crystal microbalance technique demonstrated that vitamin D3 does not show any effect on Aβ40 aggregation while vitamin D2 promoted it and Read More

The misfolding and aggregation of specific proteins within nervous system occur in most age-associated neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). This kind of disorders have been classified as the protein misfolding disease or proteopathy which share key biophysical and biochemical characteristics with prion diseases. In AD, β-amyloid (Aβ) and tau protein, capital agents for the senile plaques and intr Read More

To diagnose Alzheimer’s disease (AD) early, tests sensitive to neuropathology and insensitive to normal ageing are of greatest benefit. We used several neuropsychological tests to identify those best suited to distinguishing Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and early AD from normal ageing. Impairments in long-term memory were found in older adults and these were even greater in MCI and AD. Older adults outperformed y Read More

Background: This study had two goals (1) to evaluate changes in neuropsychological performance among cognitively normal individuals that might precede the onset of clinical symptoms, and (2) to examine the impact of Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotype on these changes. Methods: Longitudinal neuropsychological, clinical assessments and consensus diagnoses were completed prospectively in 268 cognitively normal Read More

Background: Activities of daily living (ADL) impairment is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia, but impairment in instrumental ADL (IADL) has been reported in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The Structured Interview and Scoring Tool-Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (MADRC)-Informant Report (SIST-MIR) includes 60 graded items that assist in scoring the Clinical Dementia Rating; it as Read More

Neuropsychological correlates of apathy in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) may shed some light on the neurobiology of this behavioral disorder. Whereas previous research has suggested an association between apathy and executive functions in AD, amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) cohorts point to an association with memory tests. We aimed to further investigate this issue in a sample of low educated, hitherto unexposed to Read More

The benefits of physical exercise to reduce low-grade inflammation and improve Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) levels and cognitive function became a growing field of interest. Low-grade inflammation is common during aging and seems to be linked to neurodegenerative process. Regular physical exercises can help to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines levels and to improve BDNF peripheral concentration Read More

With a longer life expectancy and an increased prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases, investigations on trajectories of cognitive aging have become exciting and promising. This study aimed to estimate the patterns of age-related cognitive decline and the potential associated factors of cognitive function in community-dwelling residents of Beijing, China. In this study, 1248 older adults aged 52-88 years [including 175 mil Read More