| 1. |
- Hagnelius, Nils-Olof, 1953-, et al.
(författare)
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Blood concentrations of homocysteine and methylmalonic acid among demented and non-demented Swedish elderly with and without home care services and vitamin B(12) prescriptions
- 2012
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Ingår i: Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders Extra. - Basel, Switzerland : S. Karger. - 1664-5464. ; 2:1, s. 387-399
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background and Aims: Total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) has been suggested as a risk factor of dementia. Our aim was to investigate potential differences in tHcy status in relation to the prescription of vitamin B(12) and dementia diagnosis. We examined whether vitamin B(12) prescriptions, a family history of dementia, or the need for home care service might be associated with tHcy values.Methods: A cross-sectional monocenter study comprising 926 consecutive subjects attending our Memory Care Unit was conducted.Results: Demented subjects being prescribed vitamin B(12) had higher serum vitamin B(12) (p = 0.025) but also higher tHcy (p < 0.001) and serum methylmalonate (p = 0.032), and lower serum folate (p < 0.001) than those who did not receive vitamin B(12) prescriptions. tHcy levels were significantly higher in non-demented subjects receiving home care service (p = 0.007). This group also had lower serum albumin (dementia: p < 0.001; non-dementia: p = 0.004). There was no difference in renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate) in demented or non-demented subjects with or without vitamin B(12) prescriptions (dementia with/without vitamin B(12) prescription: p = 0.561; non-dementia with/without vitamin B(12) prescription: p = 0.710).Conclusion: Despite vitamin B(12) prescriptions, demented subjects had higher tHcy and methylmalonate values. The elevated metabolite values could not be explained by differences in renal function. Thus, elderly subjects on vitamin B(12) prescription appear to have unmet nutritional needs.
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| 2. |
- Lövdén, Martin, et al.
(författare)
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The dimensionality of between-person differences in white matter microstructure in old age
- 2013
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Ingår i: Human Brain Mapping. - : Wiley. - 1065-9471 .- 1097-0193. ; 34:6, s. 1386-1398
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Between-person differences in white matter microstructure may partly generalize across the brain and partly play out differently for distinct tracts. We used diffusion-tensor imaging and structural equation modeling to investigate this issue in a sample of 260 adults aged 60–87 years. Mean fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity of seven white matter tracts in each hemisphere were quantified. Results showed good fit of a model positing that individual differences in white matter microstructure are structured according to tracts. A general factor, although accounting for variance in the measures, did not adequately represent the individual differences. This indicates the presence of a substantial amount of tract-specific individual differences in white matter microstructure. In addition, individual differences are to a varying degree shared between tracts, indicating that general factors also affect white matter microstructure. Age-related differences in white matter microstructure were present for all tracts. Correlations among tract factors did not generally increase as a function of age, suggesting that aging is not a process with homogenous effects on white matter microstructure across the brain. These findings highlight the need for future research to examine whether relations between white matter microstructure and diverse outcomes are specific or general. Hum Brain Mapp, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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| 3. |
- Wallin, Anders, 1950, et al.
(författare)
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Cognitive medicine - a new approach in health care science.
- 2018
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Ingår i: BMC psychiatry. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-244X. ; 18:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The challenges of today's society call for more knowledge about how to maintain all aspects of cognitive health, such as speed/attention, memory/learning, visuospatial ability, language, executive capacity and social cognition during the life course.Medical advances have improved treatments of numerous diseases, but the cognitive implications have not been sufficiently addressed. Disability induced by cognitive dysfunction is also a major issue in groups of patients not suffering from Alzheimer's disease or related disorders. Recent studies indicate that several negative lifestyle factors can contribute to the development of cognitive impairment, but intervention and prevention strategies have not been implemented. Disability due to cognitive failure among the workforce has become a major challenge. Globally, the changing aging pyramid results in increased prevalence of cognitive disorders, and the diversity of cultures influences the expression, manifestation and consequences of cognitive dysfunction.Major tasks in the field of cognitive medicine are basic neuroscience research to uncover diverse disease mechanisms, determinations of the prevalence of cognitive dysfunction, health-economical evaluations, and intervention studies. Raising awareness for cognitive medicine as a clinical topic would also highlight the importance of specialized health care units for an integrative approach to the treatment of cognitive dysfunctions.
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| 4. |
- Basile, Anna Maria, et al.
(författare)
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Age, hypertension, and lacunar stroke are the major determinants of the severity of age-related white matter changes. The LADIS (Leukoaraiosis and Disability in the Elderly) Study.
- 2006
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Ingår i: Cerebrovasc Dis. - : S. Karger AG. - 1015-9770 .- 1421-9786. ; 21:5-6, s. 315-22
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- <i>Background:</i> Age-related white matter changes (ARWMC), seen on neuroimaging with high frequency in older people, are thought to be consequent to the effect of vascular risk factors and vascular diseases including hypertension and stroke. Among the proofs conventionally required for a factor to be considered a risk factor for a definite pathology, there is the demonstration of a trend in risk exposure related to disease severity. We sought whether such a trend existed in the association of vascular risk factors or comorbidities with the severity of ARWMC aiming particularly at further elucidating the relative roles of hypertension and stroke in this regard. <i>Methods:</i> The LADIS (Leukoaraiosis and Disability) Study is evaluating the role of ARWMC as an independent determinant of the transition to disability in the elderly. Six hundred and thirty-nine nondisabled subjects (mean age 74.1 ± 5.0, M/F: 288/351) with ARWMC of different severity grades on MRI (mild, moderate, or severe according to the Fazekas scale) were assessed at baseline for demographics, vascular risk factors, and comorbidities, and are being followed up for 3 years. <i>Results:</i> Age, frequency of hypertension and history of stroke increased along with increasing ARWMC severity independently of other factors. For hypertension, however, this occurred only in subjects without a stroke history, while for stroke history, it mainly depended on lacunar stroke. The amount of cigarettes smoked and the interaction between hypercholesterolemia and smoking predicted only the most severe ARWMC grade. <i>Conclusions:</i> The LADIS Study confirms that age, hypertension and lacunar strokes are the major determinants of ARWMC. Smoking and hypercholesterolemia provide additional risk.
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| 5. |
- Lundström, Maria
(författare)
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Delirium in old patients with femoral neck fracture : risk factors, outcome, prevention and treatment
- 2004
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Delirium is probably the most common presenting symptom of disease in old age. Delirium, as defined in DSM-IV, is a neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by disturbance in attention and consciousness, which develops over a short period of time and where the symptoms tend to fluctuate during the course of the day. The overall aim was to increase knowledge about the risk factors and outcome of delirium in old patients with femoral neck fracture and to develop and evaluate a multi-factorial intervention program for prevention and treatment of delirium in these patients.In a prospective study of 101 consecutive patients with a femoral neck fracture, 29.7% were delirious before surgery and another 18.8% developed delirium postoperatively. Of those who were delirious preoperatively all but one remained delirious postoperatively. The majority of those delirious before surgery were demented, treated with drugs with anticholinergic properties (mainly neuroleptics), had had previous episodes of delirium and had fallen indoors. Patients who developed postoperative delirium had perioperative falls in blood pressure and seemed to have more postoperative complications, such as infections. Patients with preoperative delirium had a poorer walking ability on discharge compared to patients with postoperative delirium only.In a five-year prospective follow up study 30 out of 78 (38.5%) non-demented patients with a femoral neck fracture developed dementia. Twenty out of 29 (69%) who were delirious postoperatively developed dementia compared to 10 out of 49 (20%) who were not delirious during hospitalization (p<0.001). Twenty-one (72.4%) of those with postoperative delirium died within 5 years compared to 17/49 (34.7%) of those who remained lucid postoperatively (p=0.001).A non-randomized multi-factorial intervention study with the aim of preventing and treating delirium among patients with femoral neck fracture (n=49) showed that the incidence of delirium was significantly lower than reported in previously published studies. The incidence of other postoperative complications was also lower and a larger proportion of the patients regained independent walking ability and could return to their previous living conditions on discharge.A similar multi-factorial intervention program evaluated as a randomized controlled trial including 199 femoral neck fracture patients showed that fewer intervention patients than controls suffered postoperative delirium (56/102, 55% vs. 73/97, 75%, p=0.003). For intervention patients the postoperative delirium was also of shorter duration (5.0±7.1 days vs. 10.2±13.3 days, p=0.009). Eighteen percent in the intervention ward and 52% of controls were delirious after the seventh postoperative day (p<0.001). Intervention patients suffered from significantly fewer in-hospital complications, such as decubital ulcers, urinary tract infections, nutritional complications, sleeping problems and falls, than controls. Total postoperative hospitalization was shorter in the intervention ward (28.0±17.9 days vs. 38.0±40.6 days, p=0.028).In conclusion, pre- and postoperative delirium is common and seems to be associated with various risk factors, which require different strategies for prevention and treatment. Delirium is also associated with the development of dementia and a higher mortality rate. Multifactorial intervention programs can successfully be implemented and result in the reduction of delirium, fewer complications and shorter hospitalization.
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| 6. |
- Lövheim, Hugo, 1981-
(författare)
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Psychotropic and analgesic drug use among old people : with special focus on people living in institutional geriatric care
- 2008
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Old people in general, and those affected by dementia disorders in particular, are more sensitive to drug side effects than younger people. Despite this, the use of nervous system drugs and analgesics among old people is common, and has increased in recent years.Institutional geriatric care accommodates people who need round-the-clock supervision and care, due to somatic, psychiatric, cognitive or behavioral symptomatology. A majority of those living in institutional geriatric care suffers from dementia disorders.This thesis is based on three different data collections. Two large cross-sectional studies, the AC1982 and AC2000 data collections, including all those living in institutional geriatric care in the county of Västerbotten in May 1982 and 2000 respectively (n=3195 and n=3669) and one study, the GERDA/Umeå 85+ data collection, including a sample of very old people, living at home and in institutions (n=546), in the municipalities of Umeå, Sweden and Vaasa and Mustasaari, Finland, in 2005-2006.The use of psychotropic drugs and analgesics was common among old people living in geriatric care and among very old people in general. A higher proportion of people with dementia received certain nervous system drugs, such as antipsychotic drugs. The use of antipsychotic drugs among people with cognitive impairment living in geriatric care was found to be correlated to several behaviors and symptoms that are not proper indications for antipsychotic drug use, and also factors related more to the staff and the caring situation.Over the course of eighteen years, from 1982 to 2000, there has been a manifold increase in the use of antidepressants, anxiolytics and hypnotics in geriatric care, but the use of antipsychotics had decreased slightly. During the same time, the prevalence of several depressive symptoms decreased significantly, correcting for demographical changes. One analysis of calculated numbers needed to treat, however, indicated poor remission rates, suggesting that even better results might be achievable. The prevalence of depressive symptoms among people with moderate cognitive impairment remained unchanged between 1982 and 2000, despite the fact that about 50% were receiving treatment with antidepressants in 2000. One possible explanation might be that depressive symptoms have different etiologies in different stages of a dementia disorder.Approximately a quarter of the people experiencing pain in geriatric care were not receiving any regular analgesic treatment. One possible reason might be misconceptions among the caring staff regarding whether or not the residents were receiving analgesic treatment. Such misconceptions were found to be common.In conclusion, psychotropic and analgesic drug use among old people in geriatric care, and very old people in general, was found to be common and in many cases possibly inappropriate. The use of antipsychotics among people with dementia deserves particular concern, because of the high risk of severe adverse events and the limited evidence for positive effects. The use of antidepressants, on the other hand, might have contributed to a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms among old people.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Nordström, Peter, et al.
(författare)
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Risk factors in late adolescence for young-onset dementia in men : a nationwide cohort study
- 2013
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Ingår i: JAMA internal medicine. - : American Medical Association (AMA). - 2168-6114 .- 2168-6106. ; 173:17, s. 1612-1618
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- IMPORTANCE: Young-onset dementia (YOD), that is, dementia diagnosed before 65 years of age, has been related to genetic mutations in affected families. The identification of other risk factors could improve the understanding of this heterogeneous group of syndromes.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate risk factors in late adolescence for the development of YOD later in life.DESIGN: We identified the study cohort from the Swedish Military Service Conscription Register from January 1, 1969, through December 31, 1979. Potential risk factors, such as cognitive function and different physical characteristics, were assessed at conscription. We collected other risk factors, including dementia in parents, through national register linkage.PARTICIPANTS: All Swedish men conscripted for mandatory military service (n = 488 484) with a mean age of 18 years.SETTING: Predominantly Swedish men born from January 1, 1950, through December 31, 1960.EXPOSURE: Potential risk factors for dementia based on those found in previous studies, data available, and quality of register data.MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURE: All forms of YOD.RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 37 years, 487 men were diagnosed as having YOD at a median age of 54 years. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, significant risk factors (all P < .05) for YOD included alcohol intoxication (hazard ratio, 4.82 [95% CI, 3.83-6.05]); population-attributable risk, 0.28), stroke (2.96 [2.02-4.35]; 0.04), use of antipsychotics (2.75 [2.09-3.60]; 0.12), depression (1.89 [1.53-2.34]; 0.28), father's dementia (1.65 [1.22-2.24]; 0.04), drug intoxication other than alcohol (1.54 [1.06-2.24]; 0.03), low cognitive function at conscription (1.26 per 1-SD decrease [1.14-1.40]; 0.29), low height at conscription (1.16 per 1-SD decrease [1.04-1.29]; 0.16), and high systolic blood pressure at conscription (0.90 per 1-SD decrease [0.82-0.99]; 0.06). The population-attributable risk associated with all 9 risk factors was 68%. Men with at least 2 of these risk factors and in the lowest third of overall cognitive function were found to have a 20-fold increased risk of YOD during follow-up (hazard ratio, 20.38 [95% CI, 13.64-30.44]).CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this nationwide cohort, 9 independent risk factors were identified that accounted for most cases of YOD in men. These risk factors were multiplicative, most were potentially modifiable, and most could be traced to adolescence, suggesting excellent opportunities for early prevention.
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| 9. |
- Pantoni, Leonardo, et al.
(författare)
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Impact of age-related cerebral white matter changes on the transition to disability -- the LADIS study : rationale, design and methodology.
- 2005
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Ingår i: Neuroepidemiology. - : S. Karger AG. - 0251-5350 .- 1423-0208. ; 24:1-2, s. 51-62
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Age-related white matter changes (ARWMC) on brain MRI have been associated with cognitive, motor, mood and urinary disturbances. These factors are known to contribute to disability in elderly people, but the impact of ARWMC and of their progression on the transition to disability is not determined. The LADIS (Leukoaraiosis and Disability in the Elderly) study aims at assessing the role of ARWMC as an independent predictor of the transition to disability in initially nondisabled elderly (65–84 years). Subjects who are not impaired or impaired on only 1 item of the Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL) scale, presenting with different grades of ARWMC severity, were enrolled. Eleven European centers are involved. All the patients were assessed at baseline using an extensive set of clinical and functional tests including global functioning, cognitive, motor, psychiatric and quality of life measures. MRI studies were performed at baseline and will be repeated at the end of the follow-up period to evaluate changes of ARWMC and other lesions. ARWMC were categorized into mild, moderate or severe using the scale of Fazekas et al. For each ARWMC severity class, the primary study outcome is the transition to disability defined as an impairment on 2 or more IADL scale items. Secondary outcomes are the occurrence of dementia, depression, vascular events or death. Six-hundred and thirty-nine subjects (mean age 74.13 ± 5.0 years, M/F: 288/351) were enrolled in a hospital-based setting and are being followed up for up to 3 years. The large and comprehensive set of measures in LADIS enables a comprehensive description of their functional and clinical features to be examined in relation to different morphological patterns and severity of ARWMC. The longitudinal design will give insight into the possible role of ARWMC and their progression as an independent contributor to disability in the elderly, eventually helping to develop preventive strategies to reduce the burden of disability in late life. The study results may also help to standardize, on an international basis, tools and criteria to identify early stages of disability.
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