Journal of Alzheimer's Disease - Volume 43, issue 1

Authors: Olsson, Erika | Karlström, Brita | Kilander, Lena | Byberg, Liisa | Cederholm, Tommy | Sjögren, Per

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Adherence to dietary patterns has been associated with cognitive decline and dementia, but studies are inconsistent. Objective: Dietary patterns, i.e., WHO recommendations (Healthy Diet Indicator), a Mediterranean-like diet (modified Mediterranean Diet Score, mMDS), and a low carbohydrate high protein diet (LCHP), were related to incident cognitive dysfunction, as indicated by Alzheimer's disease (AD), all-type dementia, and all-type cognitive impairment, in a cohort of 1,138 elderly Swedish men. Methods: Dietary patterns were derived from 7-day records. Risk relations were calculated by Cox and logistic regression analyses, adjusted for potential confounders. Sensitivity analysis was performed in a …subpopulation (n = 564) with energy intake according to the Goldberg cut-off. Results: During a mean follow-up of 12 years, 84, 143, and 198 men developed AD, all-type dementia, and all-type cognitive impairment, respectively. There was no association between Healthy Diet Indicator and any of the outcomes. Hazard ratios associated with 1 standard deviation (SD) increment in the LCHP score were 1.16 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.95, 1.43) for AD and 1.16 (95% CI: 0.99, 1.37) for all-type dementia. mMDS was not associated with dementia diagnosis. Odds ratio (OR)/1 SD increase for mMDS and all-type cognitive impairment was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.65, 1.05). In the subpopulation OR for mMDS and all-type cognitive impairment was 0.32 (95% CI: 0.11, 0.89). Conclusion: We found no strong associations with development of cognitive dysfunction for any of the dietary patterns investigated. However, there was a potentially beneficial association for a Mediterranean-like diet on the development of cognitive dysfunction in the subpopulation. Show more

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, cognition disorders, cohort study, dementia, diet, dietary carbohydrates, dietary proteins, Mediterranean diet

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-140867

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 109-119, 2015

Authors: Gifford, Katherine A. | Liu, Dandan | Carmona, Hugo | Lu, Zengqi | Romano, Raymond | Tripodis, Yorghos | Martin, Brett | Kowall, Neil | Jefferson, Angela L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: The relation between the source of cognitive complaint and objective cognitive performance is not well understood. Objective: Examine self and informant cognitive complaint as predictors of objective cognitive and functional trajectory in non-demented elders. Methods: Participants from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center had a baseline diagnosis of normal cognition (NC; n = 6133, 72 ± 8 years, 68% female) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI; n = 3010, 74 ± 8 years, 55% female). Four independent groups defined cognitive complaint: no complaint, self-only complaint, informant-only complaint, or mutual complaint (both self and informant complaint). Linear mixed …model regression analyses related complaint status (referent was no complaint) to cognitive and functional trajectories, adjusting for age, sex, race, education, and follow-up period. Results: Among NC participants, mutual complaint related to faster decline in global cognition (p < 0.0001), language (all p-values <0.0001), processing speed (p = 0.0002), and executive functioning (p = 0.0006). Informant-only complaint related to faster decline in global cognition (p = 0.0001) and processing speed (p = 0.0001). Self-only complaint related to greater decline in immediate (p < 0.0001) and delayed (p = 0.0005) episodic memory. In MCI, mutual complaint related to faster decline in global cognition (p < 0.0001), verbal episodic memory (all p-values <0.0001), language (all p-values <0.0001), and processing speed (all p-values <0.0006). Informant-only or self-only complaint associations with cognitive trajectory did not survive correction factor for multiple comparisons. Conclusion: Cognitive complaint appears to have clinical significance, as it is related to declines in objective cognitive performance over time. Mutual complaint was associated with the worst cognitive trajectory in both NC and MCI elders, highlighting the importance of incorporating an informant into evaluation of elders whenever feasible. Show more

Keywords: Mild cognitive impairment, cognitive complaint, dementia, cognition, Alzheimer's disease

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-131925

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 121-132, 2015

Authors: Chen, Teng | Hou, Ruihua | Li, Chao | Wu, Chengyuan | Xu, Shujun

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Endothelial dysfunction and disruption of the blood-brain barrier have been found to be associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the mechanisms underlying these effects have yet to be elucidated. It has also been found that activated protein C (APC) displays neuroprotective properties. Presently, the effects of APC on PD remain unknown. Using a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) neurotoxin rodent model of PD, we found that administration of MPTP can reduce expression of endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR), an N-glycosylated type I membrane protein that has the ability to enhance protein C activation. However, the use of MPTP does not …alter levels of thrombomodulin. These findings were verified in an in vitro study showing that 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) treatment leads to suppression of EPCR along with reduction of protein C activation in human primary endothelial cells. Importantly, our results display that activation of the transcriptional factor SP1 is involved in the inhibitory effects of MPTP/MPP+ on EPCR expression. We found that using 300 nM of the SP1 inhibitor MIT can abolish the effects of MPP+ on EPCR expression. Consistently, SP1 silencing using small RNA interference was able to prevent the inhibitory effects of MPTP/MPP+ on the reduction of EPCR expression and impairment of protein C activation. Importantly, our results indicate that overexpression of SP1 inhibits EPCR promoter activity. Our study suggests that EPCR-APC may be a potential therapeutic target for endothelial dysfunction in PD. Show more

Keywords: Endothelial protein C receptor, MPTP/MPP+, Parkinson's disease, protein C, SP1

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-140126

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 133-142, 2015

Authors: Ye, Byoung Seok | Chin, Juhee | Kim, Seong Yoon | Lee, Jung-Sun | Kim, Eun-Joo | Lee, Yunhwan | Hong, Chang Hyung | Choi, Seong Hye | Park, Kyung Won | Ku, Bon D. | Moon, So Young | Kim, SangYun | Han, Seol-Hee | Lee, Jae-Hong | Cheong, Hae-Kwan | Park, Sun Ah | Jeong, Jee Hyang | Na, Duk L. | Seo, Sang Won

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: We evaluate the longitudinal outcomes of amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) according to the modality of memory impairment involved. We recruited 788 aMCI patients and followed them up. aMCI patients were categorized into three groups according to the modality of memory impairment: Visual-aMCI, only visual memory impaired; Verbal-aMCI, only verbal memory impaired; and Both-aMCI, both visual and verbal memory impaired. Each aMCI group was further categorized according to the presence or absence of recognition failure. Risk of progression to dementia was compared with pooled logistic regression analyses while controlling for age, gender, education, and interval from baseline. Of the sample, …219 (27.8%) aMCI patients progressed to dementia. Compared to the Visual-aMCI group, Verbal-aMCI (OR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.19–3.28, p = 0.009) and Both-aMCI (OR = 3.05, 95% CI = 1.97–4.71, p < 0.001) groups exhibited higher risks of progression to dementia. Memory recognition failure was associated with increased risk of progression to dementia only in the Visual-aMCI group, but not in the Verbal-aMCI and Both-aMCI groups. The Visual-aMCI without recognition failure group were subcategorized into aMCI with depression, small vessel disease, or accelerated aging, and these subgroups showed a variety of progression rates. Our findings underlined the importance of heterogeneous longitudinal outcomes of aMCI, especially Visual-aMCI, for designing and interpreting future treatment trials in aMCI. Show more

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, amnesia, mild cognitive impairment, neuropsychology

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-140318

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 143-152, 2015

Authors: Wang, Xiu-Lian | Zeng, Ji | Yang, Yang | Xiong, Yan | Zhang, Zhi-Hua | Qiu, Mei | Yan, Xiong | Sun, Xu-Ying | Tuo, Qing-Zhang | Liu, Rong | Wang, Jian-Zhi

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Abnormal hyperphosphorylation of microtubule-associated protein tau is involved in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has been reported to be related with a high risk of AD, but the direct laboratory evidence is lacking. Here we explored the effect of H. pylori infection on tau phosphorylation. The results showed that H. pylori filtrate induced significant tau hyperphosphorylation at several AD-related tau phosphorylation sites, such as Thr205, Thr231, and Ser404, both in mouse neuroblastoma N2a cells and rat brains with activation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β). Application of GSK-3 inhibitors efficiently attenuated …the H. pylori-induced tau hyperphosphorylation. Our data provide evidence supporting the role of H. pylori infection in AD-like tau pathology, suggesting that H. pylori eradication may be beneficial in the prevention of tauopathy. Show more

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, glycogen synthase kinase-3β, Helicobacter pylori, tau hyperphosphorylation

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-140198

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 153-165, 2015

Authors: Villars, Hélène | Dupuy, Charlotte | Perrin, Amélie | Vellas, Bruno | Nourhashemi, Fati

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Therapeutic patient education is expanding in the field of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Objective: To evaluate the impact of a therapeutic educational program, on AD-affected patients and their caregivers, living in the community, on the patient's quality of life. Methods: Non experimental before and after study. Patient/caregiver dyads were recruited in the geriatric department of the Toulouse University Hospital. The intervention consisted of an educational program, designed for both patients and caregivers. It included two individual sessions (at baseline (M0) and two months later (M2)) and four group sessions for caregivers only, one per week between …M0 and M2. The primary outcome was the patient's quality of life at two months, hetero-evaluated by the caregiver. We compared the QoL-AD score between M0 and M2 with a paired Student's test. The secondary outcomes were patient’s autonomy (activities of daily living) and caregiver's burden (Zarit Burden interview). Results: 29 patient/caregiver dyads were recruited. The QoL-AD score was 24.6 ± 5.1 at M0 versus 27.2 ± 6.0 at M2 (p = 0.038). This difference is statistically significant. There was no difference in the secondary outcomes. Conclusion: This study revealed a significant positive impact of a therapeutic educational program on patients' quality of life. Our results led us to design a randomized controlled trial called the THERAD study (THERapeutic education in Alzheimer's disease). It started in January 2013, and the results will be available in 2015. If the efficacy of this approach is proven, it will be important to implement educational programs in the care plan of these patients. Show more

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, therapeutic education, caregiver, quality of life

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-141179

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 167-176, 2015

Authors: Perez de Lara, María J. | Pintor, Jesús

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the changes of extracellular ATP levels during the progress of Alzheimer's disease by using a murine model of the disease. Retinal nucleotide release was measured from flattened whole-mounts stimulated with 59 mM KCl or non-stimulated maintained in Ringer solution. Mice exhibited an increase in retinal ATP release as long as the pathology progressed up to 14 months. This value decreased to normal values by 18 months of age. Changes occurred also when comparing to non-pathological mice. The increase in the presence of ATP levels may contribute, together with other factors, to the …changes in the functionality of the retina and the concomitant death of retinal cells. Show more

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, ATP, B6C3F1 mice, B6C3-Tg (AβPPswe, PSEN1dE9) mice

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-141005

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 177-181, 2015

Authors: Lewczuk, Piotr | Lelental, Natalia | Spitzer, Philipp | Maler, Juan Manuel | Kornhuber, Johannes

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: The increasing role of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers in the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is reflected in recently published diagnostic and/or research criteria. A growing body of evidence suggests better diagnostic performance of the amyloid-β (Aβ)42/40 CSF concentration ratio compared to the Aβ42 concentration alone. Objective: (a) to analytically validate two novel ELISAs capable to measure Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 in the CSF, and (b) to compare the diagnostic accuracies of Aβ1-42 and Aβ42/40 ratio. Methods: In this study, (a) the novel Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 ELISAs …(IBL International GmbH, Hamburg, Germany) have been analytically validated, and (b) a clinical study has been performed comparing the diagnostic performance of the CSF Aβ42/40 concentration ratio and the CSF Aβ42 concentration. Results: In the analytical part of the study, only marginal cross-reactivity (Aβ1-42 versus Aβ1-40 ) was observed; recoveries were in the range of 85–100% for the samples diluted 1 : 20–1 : 640 (Aβ1-40 ), and 92–104% for the samples diluted 1 : 20–1 : 320 (Aβ1-42 ). For Aβ1-40 , the intra-assay imprecision was 2.1%, the inter-assay imprecision was 4.4%, and the inter-lot imprecision was 5.4 %. For Aβ1-42 , the numbers were 3.1%, 6.2%, and 6.9%, respectively. The goodness of the fit of the average standard curves was >0.99 for both assays, and the imprecision of the optical densities in ten repetitions of the standard curves was ≤5% for all standards. In the clinical part, at the cut off value 691 pg/mL, Aβ1-42 showed sensitivity and specificity of 69.3% and 88.9%, respectively, whereas at the cut off value 0.06, the Aβ42/40 ratio showed significantly improved performance with sensitivity and specificity of 93.3% and 100%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve for Aβ42/40 (0.974) was highly significantly larger compared to Aβ1-42 concentration ROC curve (0.827, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: (a) the novel Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 ELISA assays characterize with very good analytical performance; (b) we reconfirm that the CSF Aβ42/40 concentration ratio shows significantly better diagnostic performance compared to the CSF Aβ1-42 concentration alone. Show more

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, Aβ42/40 ratio, amyloid-β, biomarkers, cerebrospinal fluid, validation

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-140771

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 183-191, 2015

Authors: Montero-Odasso, Manuel | Muir-Hunter, Susan W. | Oteng-Amoako, Afua | Gopaul, Karen | Islam, Anam | Borrie, Michael | Wells, Jennie | Speechley, Mark

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Gait deficits are prevalent in people with dementia and increase their fall risk and future disability. Few treatments exist for gait impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD) but preliminary studies have shown that cognitive enhancers may improve gait in this population. Objective: To determine the efficacy of donepezil, a cognitive enhancer that improves cholinergic activity, on gait in older adults newly diagnosed with AD. Methods: Phase II clinical trial in 43 seniors with mild AD who received donepezil. Participants had not previously received treatment with cognitive enhancers. Primary outcome variables were gait velocity (GV) and stride …time variability (STV) under single and dual-task conditions measured using an electronic walkway. Secondary outcomes included attention and executive function. Results: After four months of treatment, participants with mild AD improved their GV from 108.4 ± 18.6 to 113.3 ± 19.5 cm/s, p = 0.010; dual-task GV from 80.6 ± 23.0 to 85.3 ± 22.3 cm/s, p = 0.028. Changes in STV were in the expected direction although not statistically significant. Participants also showed improvements in Trail Making Tests A (p = 0.030), B (p = 0.001), and B-A (p = 0.042). Conclusion: Donepezil improved gait in participants with mild AD. The enhancement of dual-task gait suggests the positive changes achieved in executive function as a possible causal mechanism. This study yielded a clinically significant estimate of effect size; as well, the findings are relevant to the feasibility and ethics considerations for the design of a Phase III clinical trial. Show more

Keywords: Aged, Alzheimer's disease, cholinesterase inhibitors, clinical trials, donepezil, executive function, falls, gait

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-140759

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 193-199, 2015

Authors: Andrade de Oliveira, Ailton | Carthery-Goulart, Maria Teresa | Oliveira Júnior, Pedro Paulo de Magalhães | Carrettiero, Daniel Carneiro | Sato, João Ricardo | for the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Neuroimaging techniques combined with computational neuroanatomy have been playing a role in the investigation of healthy aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD). The definition of normative rules for brain features is a crucial step to establish typical and atypical aging trajectories. Objective: To introduce an unsupervised pattern recognition method; to define multivariate normative rules of neuroanatomical measures; and to propose a brain abnormality index. Methods: This study was based on a machine learning approach (one class classification or novelty detection) to neuroanatomical measures (brain regions, volume, and cortical thickness) extracted from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative …(ADNI)'s database. We applied a ν-One-Class Support Vector Machine (ν-OC-SVM) trained with data from healthy subjects to build an abnormality index, which was compared with subjects diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment and AD. Results: The method was able to classify AD subjects as outliers with an accuracy of 84.3% at a false alarm rate of 32.5%. The proposed brain abnormality index was found to be significantly associated with group diagnosis, clinical data, biomarkers, and future conversion to AD. Conclusion: These results suggest that one-class classification may be a promising approach to help in the detection of disease conditions. Our findings support a framework considering the continuum of brain abnormalities from healthy aging to AD, which is correlated with cognitive impairment and biomarkers measurements. Show more

Keywords: Dementia, neurodegeneration, neuroimaging, normative, outliers, pattern recognition, support vector machines

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-140189

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 201-212, 2015

Authors: Maté, Ianire | Cruces, Julia | Giménez-Llort, Lydia | De la Fuente, Mónica

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The aging process involves the impairment of the immune system (immunosenescence), based on the imbalance of the redox status, as occurs in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Since in AD there is a systemic disorder, we aimed to assess longitudinally, from before the onset until the complete establishment of AD, cell populations, several functions, and oxidative stress parameters in peritoneal leukocytes of triple transgenic mice for AD (3xTgAD). These animals mimic the human AD pathophysiology. The results indicate a premature immunosenescence in 3xTgAD at 4 months of age, when the immunoreactivity against intracellular amyloid-β fibrils appears. Thus, decreases …in functions such as chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and lymphoproliferation, as well as a lower reduced glutathione content and higher xanthine oxidase activity, appear in leukocytes. Moreover, NK percentage and cytotoxic activity, CD25+ B and naïve CD8 T cells percentage, GSSG/GSH ratio, and GSH content were already changed before the onset of AD, at the age of 2 months. Furthermore, the changes in some parameters such as CD5+ B1 cells, phagocytosis, lymphoproliferation, and xanthine oxidase activity continue at 15 months of age, when AD pathophysiology is completely established. Because the immune system parameters studied are markers of health and longevity, the premature immunosenescence could explain the shorter life span shown by 3xTgAD observed in the present work. These results suggest that peripheral immune cell functions and their oxidative stress status could be good early peripheral markers of the preclinical and prodromal stages and progression of AD. Show more

Keywords: Immune function, immunosenescence, oxidative stress, peritoneal leukocytes, 3xTgAD

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-140861

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 213-226, 2015

Authors: Peng, Lei | Yu, Yang | Liu, Jin | Li, Shuqin | He, Huiqiong | Cheng, Ni | Ye, Richard D.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Amyloid-β peptides such as Aβ1-42 (Aβ42 ) play a pivotal role in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aβ42 is neurotoxic and can activate microglial cells. These cells in turn migrate toward senile (neuritic) plaques and help to clear Aβ deposits through an endocytotic mechanism. It is of potential significance to characterize the Aβ42 receptors that mediate microglia chemotaxis and Aβ42 uptake. We found that the transcript of the chemerin receptor CMKLR1 was upregulated in the brain of AD patients and in mouse brain tissue following systemic LPS administration. CMKLR1 and Aβ42 colocalized in hippocampus …and cortex of AβPP/PS1 transgenic mice. Moreover, Aβ42 bound specifically to CMKLR1 in stably transfected rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) cells (CMKLR1-RBL), suggesting that CMKLR1 is a receptor for Aβ42 . Aβ42 induced migration of primary microglia, the mouse microglial cell line N9, and CMKLR1-RBL cells, but not untransfected RBL-2H3 cells. Mechanistic studies showed that Aβ42 induced CMKLR1-dependent cell migration through activation of the ERK1/2, PKA, and Akt pathways, but not Ca2+ mobilization. Aβ42 stimulation of CMKLR1-RBL cells and primary glial cells led to internalization of the Aβ42 -CMKLR1 complex, suggesting a potential role for CMKLR1 in Aβ42 clearance. Taken together, these results indicate that Aβ42 activates CMKLR1, leading to glia cell migration and clearance of Aβ42 . CMKLR1 is a new addition to the repertoire of cell surface molecules that are responsible for Aβ processing and clearance. Show more

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, amyloid-β, chemerin receptor, chemotaxis, microglial cells

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-141227

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 227-242, 2015

Authors: Uhm, Kyung-Ok | Kim, Mi-Jeong | Kawaguchi, Makoto | Akatsu, Hiroyasu | Miura, Yutaka | Misumi, Sachiyo | Hida, Hideki | Choi, Eun-Kyoung | Kim, Yong-Sun | Michikawa, Makoto | Jung, Cha-Gyun

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The cytoplasmic C-terminal domain of amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP) binds to several proteins that regulate the trafficking and processing of AβPP and affects amyloid-β (Aβ) production. We previously reported that levels of AT-motif binding factor 1 (ATBF1) are increased in the brains of 17-month-old Tg2576 mice compared with wild-type controls, and that Aβ42 increases ATBF1 expression, inducing death in primary rat cortical neurons. Here, we show that ATBF1 levels are increased in the cytoplasm of hippocampal neurons in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains compared with non-AD brains. Furthermore, cotransfection of human embryonic kidney (HEK293T) and human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells with …ATBF1 and AβPP695 increased steady-state levels of AβPP via the binding of ATBF1 to the AβPP cytoplasmic domain (amino acids 666–690), resulting in increased Aβ production and cellular and soluble AβPP (sAβPP) levels without affecting the activity or levels of AβPP processing enzymes (α-, β-, or γ-secretase). Conversely, knockdown of endogenous ATBF1 reduced levels of cellular AβPP, sAβPP, and Aβ in HEK293 cells overexpressing human AβPP695. Our findings provide insight into the dynamics of AβPP processing and Aβ production, and suggest that ATBF1 is a novel AβPP binding protein that may be a suitable therapeutic target for AD. Show more

Keywords: Aβ production, AβPP binding protein, AβPP stabilization, Alzheimer's disease, ATBF1

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-140612

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 243-257, 2015

Authors: Cuesta, Pablo | Barabash, Ana | Aurtenetxe, Sara | Garcés, Pilar | López, María Eugenia | Bajo, Ricardo | Llanero-Luque, Marcos | Ancín, Inés | Cabranes, José Antonio | Marcos, Alberto | Sancho, Miguel | Nakamura, Akinori | Maestú, Fernando | Fernandez, Alberto

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele is a genetic risk factor for the development of late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD), which affects cholinergic system functioning. The association between reduced cholinergic levels and increase of magnetoencephalographic (MEG) low-frequency has been used to explain spectral changes found in AD patients. However, the investigation in predementia stages is scarce. We obtained MEG recordings from 25 aged controls and 36 mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients during a resting-state condition. According to their APOE genotype, MCIs and controls were subdivided in carriers and non-carriers of the ε4 allele. Sources of spectral variations in these groups were …calculated through beamforming. MCI patients exhibited a significant increase of relative power within the low-frequency domain, accompanied by a power decrease within the high-frequency range. APOEε4 carriers showed an increased relative power in the 4.5–6.5 Hz frequency range over frontal lobes. The power increase observed in controls carrying ε4 was significantly higher as compared with MCI non-carriers, while MCI carriers exhibited the highest relative power within the 4.5–6.5 Hz range. Higher power values within the low-frequency ranges correlated with a poorer cognitive performance in MCIs and controls. Our investigation demonstrates that APOEε4 affects resting-state activity to an extent that makes it more proximate to the pattern observed in early stages of AD. Therefore, a combination of genetic and neurophysiological information might help to detect MCI patients at higher risk of conversion to AD, and asymptomatic subjects at higher risk of developing a manifest cognitive deterioration. Show more

Keywords: Aging, APOEε4, magnetoencephalography, mild cognitive impairment, relative power, source analysis

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-140633

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 259-273, 2015

Authors: Royall, Donald R. | Palmer, Raymond F. | for the Texas Alzheimer's Research and Care Consortium

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: We have employed structural equation models to explicitly distinguish functional status, and therefore “dementia-relevant” variance in cognitive task performance (i.e., “δ”). We previously associated δ with cytokines and other serum biomarkers in a well characterized Alzheimer's disease cohort, the Texas Alzheimer's Research and Care Consortium. However, that δ homolog did not exhibit factor equivalence across ethnicity. In this study, we construct a δ homolog that exhibits mean and factor equivalence across ethnicity [i.e., “d(=)”]. d(=) is associated significantly with ten of the twelve previously selected biomarkers. Most of these associations are again specific to Non-Hispanic White participants. These findings have …yet to be validated in other cohorts, but may suggest cross-ethnic differences in dementia's pathobiological mechanisms between Hispanic Mexican-Americans and Non-Hispanic Whites. Show more

Keywords: Aging, cognition, dementia, functional status, g, Hispanic

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-140264

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 275-287, 2015

Authors: Balsis, Steve | Lowe, Deborah A.

Article Type: Article Commentary

Abstract: The paper, “Ethnicity Moderates Dementia's Biomarkers”, by Royall and Palmer in this issue of Journal of Alzheimer's Disease represents the cutting edge of Alzheimer's disease (AD) research. The authors capitalize on several powerful and emerging trends in AD research that will surely reap benefits for our discipline during the next decade: latent variable models, biomarkers, and ethnicity. In this study, the authors specifically find that self-reported ethnicity moderates the dementing process and hypothesize that this is more likely due to distinct biological mechanisms than environmental influences.

Keywords: Aging, cognition, dementia, ethnicity, Hispanic, TARCC

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-141161

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 289-290, 2015

Authors: Yu, Dan | Tao, Bang-Bao | Yang, Yun-Yun | Du, Li-Sha | Yang, Shuang-Shuang | He, Xiao-Jie | Zhu, Yu-Wen | Yan, Jun-Kai | Yang, Qing

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), the first and rate-limiting enzyme in the kynurenine pathway (KP) of tryptophan catabolism, was recently established as one of the potential players involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Coptisine is a main pharmacological active constituent of the traditional Chinese medicinal prescription Oren-gedoku-to (OGT) which has therapeutic potential for the treatment of AD. Our recent studies have demonstrated that OGT significantly inhibited recombinant human IDO activity, which shed light on the possible mechanism of OGT's action on AD. Here, we characterized the effects of coptisine in an AD mouse model on the basis of its IDO …inhibitory ability. Coptisine was found to be an efficient uncompetitive IDO inhibitor with a Ki value of 5.8 μM and an IC50 value of 6.3 μM. In AβPP/PS1 transgenic mice, oral administration of coptisine inhibited IDO in the blood and decreased the activation of microglia and astrocytes, consequently prevented neuron loss, reduced amyloid plaque formation, and ameliorated impaired cognition. Neuronal pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells induced with amyloid-β peptide 1–42 and interferon-γ showed reduction of cell viability and enhancement of IDO activity, while coptisine treatment increased cell viability based on its reversal effect on the enhanced activity of IDO. In conclusion, our present findings provide further evidence supporting the critical links between IDO, KP, and AD, and demonstrate coptisine, a novel IDO inhibitor, as a potential new class of drugs for AD treatment. Show more

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, coptisine, indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase, indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase inhibitor, kynurenine pathway

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-140414

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 291-302, 2015

Authors: Chiam, Justin Tao Wen | Dobson, Richard James Butler | Kiddle, Steven John | Sattlecker, Martina

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers are urgently needed for both early and accurate diagnosis and prediction of disease progression. Past research has studied blood-based proteins as potential AD biomarkers, revealing many candidate proteins. To date only limited effort has been made to investigate the disease specificity of AD candidate proteins and whether these proteins are also involved in other neurodegenerative or psychiatric conditions. Objective: This review seeks to determine if blood-based AD candidate protein biomarkers are disease specific. Methods: A two-stage systematic literature search was conducted. Firstly, the most consistently identified AD protein biomarkers in blood …were determined from a list of published discovery or panel-based (>100 proteins) blood proteomics studies in AD. Secondly, an online database search was conducted using the 10 most consistently identified proteins to determine if they were involved in other brain disorders, namely frontotemporal lobe dementia, vascular dementia, Lewy body disease, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, depression, and autism. Results: Among the reviewed candidate proteins, plasma protease C1 inhibitor, pancreatic prohormone, and fibrinogen γ chain were found to have the least evidence for non-specificity to AD. All other candidates were found to be affected by other brain disorders. Conclusion: Since we found evidence that the majority of AD candidate proteins might also be involved in other brain disorders, more research into the disease specificity of AD protein biomarkers is required. Show more

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease biomarker, autism, blood, cross-disorder comparison, depression, other types of dementia, Parkinson's disease, proteins, schizophrenia

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-140816

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 303-314, 2015

Authors: Seifan, Alon | Marder, Karen S. | Mez, Jesse | Noble, James M. | Cortes, Etty P. | Vonsattel, Jean Paul | Honig, Lawrence S.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Cerebral deposition of phospho-tau in Alzheimer's disease (AD) occurs with varying patterns within hippocampus. Lamina-specific tau changes in AD may reflect trans-synaptic propagation of phospho-tau along neuroanatomical pathways. Objective: To study patterns of tau deposition within inner (IML) and outer (OML) molecular layers of dentate gyrus and their clinical and neuropathological correlates. Methods: 98 consecutive autopsied brains from the Columbia University Brain Bank were stained for phospho-tau using AT-8. Staining density was rated as High versus Low within IML and OML. Four patterns were observed among the 98 brains: High IML&OML, n = 44; High …OML Only (n = 35); High IML Only (n = 5); and Low IML&OML (n = 14). Demographic, clinical, and neuropathological characteristics of these four groups were compared. Results: High IML&OML subjects, versus High OML Only, were more likely to fulfill CERAD criteria for Definite AD (93% versus 66%, p < 0.01) and to have higher median Braak stage (6 versus 5, p < 0.01) and earlier mean age of onset (65.9 versus 73.7 y, p = 0.02), with similar symptom duration. Using logistic regression, the association between High IML&OML and AD remained significant after adjustment for demographics but not symptom duration. In the 70 subjects with Definite AD, High IML&OML was associated with younger age of onset (mean difference 3.7 years, 95%CI −6.7 to −0.7, p < 0.01), after adjustment for demographics and symptom duration. Conclusions: Phospho-tau pathology, when prominent within both IML and OML, is associated with CERAD diagnosis of Definite AD and earlier age of onset in AD. Laminar patterns of tau deposition reflect regional involvements during disease course. Show more

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, dentate gyrus, hippocampus, perforant pathway, tau proteins

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-140279

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 315-324, 2015

Authors: Hernández, Isabel | Rosende-Roca, Maitée | Alegret, Montserrat | Mauleón, Ana | Espinosa, Ana | Vargas, Liliana | Sotolongo-Grau, Oscar | Tárraga, Lluís | Boada, Mercè | Ruiz, Agustín

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Transmembrane Protein 106B SNP rs1990622 was recently shown to modify the risk of frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43 inclusions (FTD-TDP). An independent replication study of this genetic variant was performed in 381 individuals from Catalonia (Spain). By applying a recessive model, a tendency toward an association with FTD risk was observed in our case-control study (age- and gender-adjusted odds ratio = 0.57; p = 0.082). Importantly, meta-analysis of available studies also supports a recessive effect for rs1990622 CC genotype (OR = 0.70; CI 95% [0.57–0.85]; p = 0.0003) and demonstrates the existence of statistical heterogeneity due to an inherent pathological …heterogeneity between series (p = 0.00014). We conclude that TMEM106B is associated with FTD, although the extent of this effect is difficult to be estimated by using clinical FTD series. Show more

Keywords: Frontotemporal dementia, genetics, genome-wide association study, molecular epidemiology, TMEM106B

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-132432

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 325-334, 2015

Article Type: Correction

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-159000

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 335-335, 2015

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-141399

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 337-339, 2015