Personality Impact on Alzheimer’s Disease-Signature and Vascular Imaging Markers: A PET-MRI Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Panteleimon Giannakopoulos ◽  
Cristelle Rodriguez ◽  
Marie-Louise Montandon ◽  
Valentina Garibotto ◽  
Sven Haller ◽  
...  

Background: Several studies postulated that personality is an independent determinant of cognitive trajectories in old age. Objective: This study explores the impact of personality on widely used Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and vascular imaging markers. Methods: We examined the association between personality and three classical AD imaging markers (centiloid-based-amyloid load, MRI volumetry in hippocampus, and media temporal lobe atrophy), and two vascular MRI parameters (Fazekas score and number of cortical microbleeds) assessed at baseline and upon a 54-month-follow-up. Personality was assessed with the Neuroticism Extraversion Openness Personality Inventory-Revised. Regression models were used to identify predictors of imaging markers including sex, personality factors, presence of APOE ɛ4 allele and cognitive evolution over time. Results: Cortical GM volumes were negatively associated with higher levels of Conscientiousness both at baseline and follow-up. In contrast, higher scores of Openness were related to better preservation of left hippocampal volumes in these two time points and negatively associated with medial temporal atrophy at baseline. Amyloid load was not affected by personality factors. Cases with higher Extraversion scores displayed higher numbers of cortical microbleeds at baseline. Conclusion: Personality impact on brain morphometry is detected only in some among the routinely used imaging markers. The most robust associations concern the positive role of high levels of Conscientiousness and Openness on AD-signature MRI markers. Higher extraversion levels are associated with increased vulnerability to cortical microbleeds pointing to the fact that the socially favorable traits may have a detrimental effect on brain integrity in old age.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffroy Pierre Gagliardi ◽  
Marion Houot ◽  
Federica Cacciamani ◽  
Marie-Odile Habert ◽  
Bruno Dubois ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Lack of Awareness for Cognitive Decline (ACD) has been described at the preclinical and prodromal stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this study, we introduced a meta-memory ratio (MMR), and explored how it is associated with neuroimaging AD biomarkers in asymptomatic individuals at risk for AD. Method 448 cognitively healthy participants from two cohorts of subjective memory complainers (INSIGHT-PreAD and ADNI) were included. Regression models were used to assess the impact of AD biomarkers on the MMR. Result In both cohorts, there was a significant quadratic effect of cerebral amyloidosis on the MMR value. In particular, participants had a high ACD up to the amyloid positivity threshold, above which a decrease of ACD was eventually observed as the amyloid load increased. Conclusion This nonlinear evolution of ACD in very early AD must be taken into account in clinical care and for trial enrollment as well.


2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 705-714 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wafa Jaroudi ◽  
Julia Garami ◽  
Sandra Garrido ◽  
Michael Hornberger ◽  
Szabolcs Keri ◽  
...  

AbstractThere are many factors that strongly influence the aetiology, development, and progression of cognitive decline in old age, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). These factors include not only different personality traits and moods but also lifestyle patterns (e.g. exercise and diet) and awareness levels that lead to cognitive decline in old age. In this review, we discuss how personality traits, mood states, and lifestyle impact brain and behaviour in older adults. Specifically, our review shows that these lifestyle and personality factors affect several brain regions, including the hippocampus, a region key for memory that is affected by cognitive decline in old age as well as AD. Accordingly, appropriate recommendations are presented in this review to assist individuals in decreasing chances of MCI, dementia, AD, and associated symptoms.


2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 385-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jakub Kazmierski ◽  
Chaido Messini-Zachou ◽  
Mara Gkioka ◽  
Magda Tsolaki

Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) are the mainstays of symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD); however, their efficacy is limited, and their use was associated with deaths in some groups of patients. The aim of the current study was to assess the impact of the long-term use of ChEIs on mortality in patients with AD. This observational, longitudinal study included 1171 adult patients with a diagnosis of AD treated with donepezil or rivastigmine. Each patient was observed for 24 months or until death. The cognitive and functional assessments, the use of ChEIs, memantine, antipsychotics, antidepressants, and anxiolytics were recorded. The total number of deaths at the end of the observational period was 99 (8.45%). The patients who had received rivastigmine treatment were at an increased risk of death in the follow-up period. The higher risk of death in the rivastigmine group remained significant in multivariate Cox regression models.


2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Morgane Linard ◽  
Julien Bezin ◽  
Emilie Hucteau ◽  
Pierre Joly ◽  
Isabelle Garrigue ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Considering the growing body of evidence suggesting a potential implication of herpesviruses in the development of dementia, several authors have questioned a protective effect of antiherpetic drugs (AHDs) which may represent a new means of prevention, well tolerated and easily accessible. Subsequently, several epidemiological studies have shown a reduction in the risk of dementia in subjects treated with AHDs, but the biological plausibility of this association and the impact of potential methodological biases need to be discussed in more depth. Methods Using a French medico-administrative database, we assessed the association between the intake of systemic AHDs and the incidence of (i) dementia, (ii) Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and (iii) vascular dementia in 68,291 subjects over 65 who were followed between 2009 and 2017. Regarding potential methodological biases, Cox models were adjusted for numerous potential confounding factors (including proxies of sociodemographic status, comorbidities, and use of healthcare) and sensitivity analyses were performed in an attempt to limit the risk of indication and reverse causality biases. Results 9.7% of subjects (n=6642) had at least one intake of systemic AHD, and 8883 incident cases of dementia were identified. Intake of at least one systemic AHD during follow-up was significantly associated with a decreased risk of AD (aHR 0.85 95% confidence interval [0.75–0.96], p=0.009) and, to a lesser extent with respect to p values, to both dementia from any cause and vascular dementia. The association with AD remained significant in sensitivity analyses. The number of subjects with a regular intake was low and prevented us from studying its association with dementia. Conclusions Taking at least one systemic AHD during follow-up was significantly associated with a 15% reduced risk of developing AD, even after taking into account several potential methodological biases. Nevertheless, the low frequency of subjects with a regular intake questions the biological plausibility of this association and highlights the limits of epidemiological data to evaluate a potential protective effect of a regular treatment by systemic AHDs on the incidence of dementia


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (7) ◽  
pp. 947-956 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksi Hamina ◽  
Piia Lavikainen ◽  
Antti Tanskanen ◽  
Anna-Maija Tolppanen ◽  
Jari Tiihonen ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTBackground:We analyzed the impact of opioid initiation on the prevalence of antipsychotic and benzodiazepine and related drug (BZDR) use among community-dwelling persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD).Methods:We utilized the register-based Medication use and Alzheimer's disease (MEDALZ) cohort for this study. We included all community-dwelling persons diagnosed with AD during 2010–2011 in Finland initiating opioid use (n = 3,327) and a matched cohort of persons not initiating opioids (n = 3,325). Interrupted time series analyses were conducted to compare the prevalence of antipsychotic and BZDR use in 30-day periods within six months before opioid initiation to 30-day periods six months later.Results:Before opioid initiation, prevalence of antipsychotic use among opioid initiators was 13.3%, 18.3% at opioid initiation, and 17.3% six months later. Prevalences of BZDR use were 27.1% six months prior, 28.9% at opioid initiation, and 26.9% six months later. After opioid initiation, antipsychotic and BZDR use declined by 0.3 percentage points (pps, 95% confidence interval 0.1–0.5) and 0.4 pps (0.2–0.7) per month, respectively, until the end of the follow-up. Compared to persons not initiating opioid use, opioid initiation immediately resulted in an increase in prevalence of 1.9 pps (0.9–2.8) for antipsychotics and of 1.6 pps (0.9–2.2) for BZDR use. However, in total there was a comparative decrease of 0.5 pps (0.3–0.8) per month for antipsychotics and of 0.4 pps (0.2–0.6) for BZDR use until the end of the follow-up.Conclusion:Our results suggest that opioid initiation may reduce antipsychotic and BZDR use among persons with AD.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffroy Pierre Gagliardi ◽  
Marion Houot ◽  
Federica Cacciamani ◽  
Marie-Odile Habert ◽  
Bruno Dubois ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Lack of Awareness for Cognitive Decline (ACD) has been described at the preclinical and prodromal stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this study, we introduced a meta-memory ratio (MMR), and explored how it is associated with neuroimaging AD biomarkers in asymptomatic individuals at risk for AD.Method: 448 cognitively healthy participants from two cohorts of subjective memory complainers (INSIGHT- PreAD and ADNI) were included. Regression models were used to assess the impact of AD biomarkers on the MMR.Result: In both cohorts, there was a significant quadratic effect of cerebral amyloidosis on the MMR value. In particular, participants had a high ACD up to the amyloid positivity threshold, above which a decrease of ACD was eventually observed as the amyloid load increased. Conclusion: This nonlinear evolution of ACD in very early AD must be taken into account in clinical care and for trial enrollment as well.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinghuan Gan ◽  
Shuai Liu ◽  
Hao Wu ◽  
Zhichao Chen ◽  
Min Fei ◽  
...  

Introduction: Numerous countries went into lockdown to contain the COVID-19 outbreak, which has impeded follow-up of chronic diseases, such as cognitive impairment (CI). Cognitive and neuropsychiatric changes during the COVID-19 pandemic are neglected in China, which is the world's whistleblower. To investigate the cognitive and neuropsychologic changes in CI, as well as the proportions of rapid cognitive decline (RCD) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide clinical evidence for CI intervention during a public health emergency.Methods: We performed a descriptive and retrospective study based on medical records from the memory clinic of Tianjin Dementia Institute collected through face-to-face evaluations. Information of 205 patients with CI, including patients with mild cognitive impairment and dementia, of whom 131 with Alzheimer's disease (AD) were analyzed and compared to a control group before the COVID-19 pandemic.Results: Among the 205 CI patients, the scores on the Chinese Mini Mental State Examination (C-MMSE), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), activities of daily living (ADLs), and the global Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) were significantly different at the baseline and follow-up evaluations (p < 0.05) after 14.07 (±2.87) months. The same findings were recorded among AD patients, and they exhibited more sleep disturbances at the follow-up than at baseline (32.8 vs. 20.6%, p = 0.035). When compared to the control group, slightly worse performance of cognitive, −1.00 (−4.00, 1.00) from the C-MMSE, −1.00 (−2.00, 0.00) on the MoCA, 1.00 (0.00, 9.00) on ADLs and neuropsychological 0.00 (−1.00, 3.50) on the global NPI profile, at the follow-up were presented, particularly for delusion, agitation, irritability, and appetite disturbances (p < 0.05). Twenty-five (19.1%) AD patients and 48 (36.6%) controls suffered RCD during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, AD patients during the COVID-19 pandemic were 0.408 times (95% confidence interval: 0.232–0.716) less likely to suffer RCD than the control.Conclusion: Confinement might ease the cognitive and neuropsychiatric deterioration of AD patients compared to those not in crisis and help prevent RCD in AD patients.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronat Lucas ◽  
Hanganu Alexandru ◽  

AbstractThe impact of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) on cognitive performance has been extensively reported, and this impact was better defined in the aging population. Yet a potential impact of NPS on brain morphology, cognitive performance and interactions between them in a longitudinal setting, as well as the potential of using these values as prediction of conversion – have remained questionable. We studied 156 participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative database who maintained the same level of cognitive performance after a 4-year follow-up and compared them to 119 MCI participants who converted to dementia. Additionally, we assessed the same analysis in 170 healthy controls who remained healthy at follow-up. Compared to 15 controls who converted to MCI. Their neuropsychological, neuropsychiatric, and brain morphology data underwent statistical analyses of 1) baseline comparison between the groups; (2) analysis of covariance model controlling for age, sex, education, and MMSE score, to specify the cognitive performance and brain structures that distinguish the two subgroups, and 3) used the significant ANCOVA variables to construct a binary logistic regression model that generates a probability equation for a given individual to convert to a lower cognitive performance state.Results showed that MCI who converted to AD in comparison to those who did not convert, exhibited a higher NPS prevalence, a lower cognitive performance and a higher number of involved brain structures. Furthermore, agitation, memory and the volumes of inferior temporal, hippocampal and amygdala sizes were significant predictors of MCI to AD conversion.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffroy Pierre Gagliardi ◽  
Marion Houot ◽  
Federica Cacciamani ◽  
Marie-Odile Habert ◽  
Bruno Dubois ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Lack of Awareness for Cognitive Decline (ACD) has been described at the preclinical and prodromal stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this study, we introduced a meta-memory ratio (MMR), and explored how it is associated with neuroimaging AD biomarkers in asymptomatic individuals at risk for AD. Method 448 cognitively healthy participants from two cohorts of subjective memory complainers (INSIGHT-PreAD and ADNI) were included. Regression models were used to assess the impact of AD biomarkers on the MMR. Result In both cohorts, there was a significant quadratic effect of cerebral amyloidosis on the MMR value. In particular, participants had a high ACD up to the amyloid positivity threshold, above which a decrease of ACD was eventually observed as the amyloid load increased. Conclusion This nonlinear evolution of ACD in very early AD must be taken into account in clinical care and for trial enrollment as well.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Garibotto ◽  
Sara Trombella ◽  
Luigi Antelmi ◽  
Paolo Bosco ◽  
Alberto Redolfi ◽  
...  

Objective: Automated voxel-based analysis methods are used to detect cortical hypometabolism typical of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) on FDG-PET brain scans. We compared the accuracy of two clinically validated tools for their ability to identify those MCI subjects progressing to AD at follow- up, to evaluate the impact of the analysis method on FDG-PET diagnostic performance. Methods: SPMGrid and BRASS (Hermes Medical Solutions, Stockholm, Sweden) were tested on 131 MCI and elderly healthy controls from the EADC PET dataset. The concordance between the tools was tested by correlating the quantitative parameters (z- and t-values), calculated by the two software tools, and by measuring the topographical overlap of the abnormal regions (Dice score). Three independent expert readers blindly assigned a diagnosis based on the two map sets. We used conversion to AD dementia as the gold standard. Results: The t-map and z-map calculated with SPMGrid and BRASS, respectively, showed a good correlation (R > .50) for the majority of individual cases (128/131) and for the majority of selected regions of interest (ROIs) (98/116 [22]). The overlap of the hypometabolic patterns from the two tools was, however, poor (Dice score .36). The diagnostic performance was comparable, with BRASS showing significantly higher sensitivity (.82 versus .59) and SPMGrid showing higher specificity (.87 versus .52). Conclusion: Despite similar diagnostic performance in predicting conversion to AD in MCI subjects, the two tools showed significant differences, and the maps provided by the tools showed limited overlap. These results underline the urgency for standardization across FDG-PET analysis methods for their use in clinical practice.


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