Current Alzheimer Research - Volume 14, Issue 7, 2017

Objectives: Long-term safety and tolerability of ACC-001 (vanutide cridificar), an antiamyloid- beta therapeutic vaccine, was evaluated in subjects with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Design: Phase 2a extension studies of randomized parent trials were conducted in the United States, European Union, and Japan. Methods: Four immunizations of ACC-001 were administered at the same 3 dose levels (3, 10, and 30 μg) to Read More

Background: The USA National Task Group (NTG) guidelines advocate the use of an adapted version of Dementia Screening Questionnaire for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (DSQIID) for dementia screening of individuals with Down syndrome (DS) and with other forms of ID (non-DS). Objective: In order to meet these guidelines, this study verifies the psychometric properties of an Italian version of the original DSQI Read More

Background: Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may play a central role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) through neurotrophic effects on basal cholinergic neurons. Reduced serum levels of BDND are observed among AD patients and may predict AD risk. Nevertheless, knowledge about factors associated with its levels in blood is lacking. Objective: To identify clinical and demographic correl Read More

Background: Chronic neuroinflammation caused by activation of microglia and astrocytes in the brain contributes to neuronal loss and disease progression in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent research has identified type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) as a risk factor for AD. High blood glucose (hyperglycemia) and the phenomenon of insulin resistance are being considered as the major factors contributing to an increased risk o Read More

Background: Anti-aggregation drugs play an important role in therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer's disease. We have previously developed a number of compounds that are able to inhibit the pathological aggregation of Tau protein. One common obstacle to application is the limited penetration across the plasma membranes into cells, where Tau aggregation occurs in the cytosol. We used an inducible N2a cell line wh Read More

Background: The GSK3β has been associated to pathological functions in neurodegenerative diseases. This kinase is involved in hyperphosphorylation of microtubule-associated tau protein, leading to aggregation andformation of NFTs. It has clearly been shown that GSK3β is regulated at posttranslational level: phosphorylation at Tyr216 activates kinase, while phosphorylation at Ser9 is essential to inhibit its ac Read More

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is defined as a progressive and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder, the onset of which is mainly characterized by decreased cognition, memory loss, and mental confusion. Objective: This study sought to quantify mRNA expression of the APBA2, INSR and IDE genes in brain samples from patients with AD and controls. Methods: We investigated the mRNA expression of the APBA2, Read More

Background: Whether the presence of the Apolipoprotein E 4 allele modulates hippocampal connectivity networks in abnormal ageing has yet to be fully clarified. Objective: Allele-dependent differences in this pattern of functional connectivity were investigated in patients with very mild neurodegeneration of the Alzheimer's type, carriers and non-carriers of the 4 allele. Method: A seed-based connectivity approach was u Read More

Background: Astrocytes contribute to neuroinflammation that accompanies neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this sense, the toxicity of these diseases might be attenuated through the modulation of astrocytic inflammatory responses. Recently, the CD300f immunoreceptor was described as a new member of the CD300 immunoreceptor family, showing promising modulatory properties. Obj Read More

Background: Vision-based speed of processing (VSOP) training can result in broad cognitive improvements in older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). What remains unknown, however, is what neurophysiological mechanisms account for the observed training effect. Much of the work in this area has focused on the central nervous system, neglecting the fact that the peripheral system can contributes Read More

In the past, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) has been characterized mainly as a layer of endothelial cells forming the vessel/capillary wall of the brain. More recently, the BBB is considered to be a part of a highly dynamic and interactive system called the neurovascular unit (NVU), consisting of vascular cells, glial cells, and neurons. The list of central nervous system (CNS) pathologies involving BBB dysfunction is rapidly growing. Read More

Objective: To systematically review the relationship between the cerebral microinfarcts and dementia. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analyses using the MEDLINE, EMBASE#140;the Cochrane library, and BIOSIS preview for studies published in the period from January 1st, 1997 to April 1st, 2014. We also searched the reference lists of relevant studies and review articles. Studies had to be controlled, with pa Read More