| 1. |
- Andersson, Christin, et al.
(författare)
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Differential CSF biomarker levels in APOE-epsilon4-positive and -negative patients with memory impairment.
- 2007
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Ingår i: Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders. - Basel : S. Karger AG. - 1420-8008 .- 1421-9824. ; 23:2, s. 87-95
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationships between episodic memory, APOE genotype, CSF markers (total tau, T-tau; phospho-tau, P-tau; beta-amyloid, Abeta42) and longitudinal cognitive decline. METHODS: 124 memory clinic patients were retrospectively divided into 6 groups based on (i) episodic memory function (Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, RAVLT): severe, moderate or no impairment (SIM, MIM or NIM), and (ii) APOE genotype (epsilon4+ or epsilon4-). CSF marker levels and cognitive decline were compared across groups. RESULTS: Episodic memory function, according to RAVLT scores, was significantly correlated with CSF marker levels only among epsilon4+ subjects and not among epsilon4- subjects. When comparing the 6 subgroups, SIM epsilon4+ and MIM epsilon4+ groups showed significantly lower Abeta42 levels than the other groups. T-tau and P-tau levels were significantly increased in SIM epsilon4+ when compared to all the other groups, including the SIM epsilon4- group. However, both SIM epsilon4+ and SIM epsilon4- declined cognitively during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: It remains to be determined whether APOE genotype affects the expression of biomarkers in CSF, or whether the different biomarker patterns reflect different types of disease processes in patients with progressive cognitive dysfunction.
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| 2. |
- Andersson, Christin, et al.
(författare)
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Increasing CSF phospho-tau levels during cognitive decline and progression to dementia
- 2008
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Ingår i: Neurobiology of Aging. - : Elsevier BV. - 0197-4580 .- 1558-1497. ; 29:10, s. 1466-1473
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Little is known about longitudinal changes of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers during cognitive decline in neurodegenerative disease progression. OBJECTIVE: To investigate longitudinal changes in CSF biomarkers--total-tau (T-tau), phospho-tau (P-tau) and beta-amyloid (Abeta42)--during cognitive decline. METHODS: Forty memory clinic patients (47.5% females), aged 61.3+/-7.6 (S.D.) years, non-demented at baseline, underwent lumbar puncture and neuropsychological testing at two occasions. Baseline mean MMSE-score was 28.3+/-1.8. Patients were divided into three groups based on baseline memory functioning; severely impaired (SIM), moderately impaired (MIM) and no impairment (NIM). RESULTS: There was a significant increase in P-tau in the SIM-group during follow-up, while P-tau in MIM and NIM did not change. Eighty-three percent of the SIM-patients converted to dementia (80% AD), while most MIM- and NIM-patients remained non-demented. T-tau- and Abeta42-levels did not change in any of the memory groups during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Increasing P-tau levels during cognitive decline and conversion to dementia suggest that P-tau may be useful as a longitudinal marker of the neurodegenerative process.
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| 3. |
- Eriksdotter-Jönhagen, Maria, et al.
(författare)
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Encapsulated cell biodelivery of nerve growth factor to the Basal forebrain in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
- 2012
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Ingår i: Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders. - : S. Karger AG. - 1421-9824 .- 1420-8008. ; 33:1, s. 18-28
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Degeneration of cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain correlates with cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Targeted delivery of exogenous nerve growth factor (NGF) has emerged as a potential AD therapy due to its regenerative effects on the basal forebrain cholinergic neurons in AD animal models. Here we report the results of a first-in-man study of encapsulated cell (EC) biodelivery of NGF to the basal forebrain of AD patients with the primary objective to explore safety and tolerability.
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| 4. |
- Ekman, Sirkka-Liisa, et al.
(författare)
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Alzheimer
- 2011
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)
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| 5. |
- Fagerberg, Ingegerd, et al.
(författare)
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Temporary confusion : a fearful experience
- 2002
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Ingår i: Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. - : Wiley. - 1351-0126 .- 1365-2850. ; 9:3, s. 339-346
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Older people admitted to hospital often develop acute temporary confusion. Earlier studies have focused on problems in providing care to the confused, causes of the confusion and the key aspects of caring. The aims of this study were to describe, from a nursing perspective, how older people experienced the phenomenon of temporary confusion and to describe the older peoples’ reasoning when they described their experiences. Interviews with five older informants who had recovered from their confusional state were conducted and analysed using the phenomenological method. Two phenomena were studied, ‘being temporarily confused’ and ‘reasoning about experiences of temporary confusion’, each was found to be represented by four inter-related constituents. The phenomena can be understood as aspects of suffering and power imbalance between staff and older people.
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| 6. |
- Faxén-Irving, Gerd, et al.
(författare)
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Effects on transthyretin in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid by DHA-rich n - 3 fatty acid supplementation in patients with Alzheimer's disease : the OmegAD study
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. - : IOS Press. - 1387-2877 .- 1875-8908. ; 36:1, s. 1-6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Transthyretin (TTR) binds amyloid-β (Aβ) and may reduce brain Aβ, a pathological feature in Alzheimer's disease (AD). N - 3 fatty acids (FA), docosahexaenoic (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) may increase TTR transcription in rat hippocampus. We studied effects of n - 3 FA supplementation on TTR-levels in patients with AD. Outpatients were randomized to receive 1.7 g DHA and 0.6 g EPA (n - 3/n - 3 group) or placebo (placebo/n - 3 group) during 6 months. After 6 months, all patients received n - 3 FA for another 6 months. TTR and FA were measured in plasma in all subjects, whereas TTR in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was measured in a subgroup. The study was completed by 89 patients in the n - 3/n - 3 group (75 y, 57% w) and 85 in the placebo/n - 3 group (75 y, 46% w). Baseline plasma-TTR was within normal range in both groups. After 6 months, plasma-TTR decreased in the placebo/n - 3 group (p < 0.001 within and p < 0.015 between the groups). No changes were observed in CSF TTR. From 6 to 12 months when both groups were supplemented, plasma-TTR increased significantly in both groups. Repeated measures ANOVA indicated an increase in TTR over time (p = 0.04) in those receiving n - 3 FA for 12 months. By linear regression analyses, n - 3 FA treatment was independently associated with increased plasma-TTR at 6 months (β = -0.172, p = 0.028). Thus, n - 3 FA treatment appeared to increase plasma-TTR in patients with AD. Since TTR may influence Aβ deposition in the brain, the results warrant further exploration.
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| 7. |
- Freund-Levi, Yvonne, 1956-, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on inflammatory markers in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma in Alzheimer's disease : the OmegAD study
- 2009
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Ingår i: Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders. - : S. Karger. - 1420-8008 .- 1421-9824. ; 27:5, s. 481-490
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3 FAs) found in dietary fish or fish oils are anti-inflammatory agents that may influence Alzheimer's disease (AD).OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of dietary omega-3 FA supplementation on inflammatory markers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma from patients with mild to moderate AD.METHODS: Thirty-five patients (70.3 +/- 8.2 years) were randomized to a daily intake of 2.3 g omega-3 FAs or placebo for 6 months. The inflammatory markers interleukin (IL)-6, tumour necrosis factor-alpha and soluble interleukin-1 receptor type II (sIL-1RII) were analysed in CSF and plasma at baseline and at 6 months. The AD markers tau-protein, hyperphosphorylated tau-protein and beta-amyloid (Abeta(1-42)) were assessed in CSF. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein was assessed in plasma. A possible relation to the APOE genotype was investigated.RESULTS: There was no significant treatment effect of omega-3 FAs on inflammatory and AD biomarkers in CSF or on inflammatory markers in plasma, nor was there any relation with APOE. A significant correlation was observed at baseline between sIL-1RII and Abeta(1-42) levels in CSF.CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of AD patients with omega-3 FAs for 6 months did not influence inflammatory or biomarkers in CSF or plasma. The correlation between sIL-1RII and Abeta(1-42) may reflect the reciprocal interactions between IL-1 and Abeta peptides.
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| 8. |
- Freund-Levi, Yvonne, 1956-, et al.
(författare)
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Omega-3 supplementation in mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease : effects on neuropsychiatric symptoms
- 2008
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Ingår i: International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. - : Wiley. - 0885-6230 .- 1099-1166. ; 23:2, s. 161-169
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Epidemiological and animal studies have suggested that dietary fish or fish oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids (ω3), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), may have effects in psychiatric and behavioral symptoms in Alzheimer's disease (AD). An association with APOEω4 carriers and neuropsychiatric symptoms in AD has also been suggested. Objective: To determine effects of dietary ω3 supplementation to AD patients with mild to moderate disease on psychiatric and behavioral symptoms, daily functions and a possible relation to APOEgenotype. Methods: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial where 204 AD patients (74 ± 9 years) with acetylcholine esterase inhibitor treatment and a MMSE >15 points were randomized to daily intake of 1.7 g DHA and 0.6 g EPA (ω3 group) or placebo for 6 months. Then, all received the ω3 supplementation for 6 more months. Neuropsychiatric symptoms were measured with Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and Montgomery Åsberg Depression Scale (MADRS). Caregivers burden and activities of daily living (Disability Assessment for Dementia, DAD) were also assessed. Results: One hundred and seventy-four patients fulfilled the trial. 72% were APOEω4 carriers. No significant overall treatment effects on neuropsychiatric symptoms, on activities of daily living or on caregiver's burden were found. However, significant positive treatment effects on the scores in the NPI agitation domain in APOEω4 carriers (p = 0.006) and in MADRS scores in non-APOEω4 carriers (p = 0.005) were found. Conclusions: Supplementation with ω3 in patients with mild to moderate AD did not result in marked effects on neuropsychiatric symptoms except for possible positive effects on depressive symptoms (assessed by MADRS) in non-APOEω4 carriers and agitation symptoms (assessed by NPI) in APOEω4 carriers. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00211159.
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| 9. |
- Irving, Gerd Faxén, et al.
(författare)
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Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation effects on weight and appetite in patients with Alzheimer's disease : the omega-3 Alzheimer's disease study
- 2009
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Ingår i: Journal of The American Geriatrics Society. - : Wiley. - 0002-8614 .- 1532-5415. ; 57:1, s. 11-17
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: To study the effects of omega (Omega)-3 fatty acid (FA) supplements on weight and appetite in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) in relation to inflammatory biomarkers and apolipoprotein E epsilon4 (APOEepsilon4). DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: Specialist memory clinics in the Stockholm catchment area. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred four patients (aged 73+/-9, 52% women) with mild to moderate AD. INTERVENTION: Patients with AD received 1.7 g of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and 0.6 g of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (Omega-3/Omega-3 group; n=89, aged 73+/-9, 57% women) or placebo 0.6 g of linoleic acid per day (placebo/Omega-3 group; n=85, aged 73+/-9, 46% women) for 6 months. After 6 months, all patients received DHA and EPA for another 6 months. MEASUREMENTS: Anthropometry, biochemical nutritional and inflammatory markers, and appetite assessed by caregiver. RESULTS: Mean weight and body mass index (kg/m(2)) at baseline were 70.0+/-11.8 kg and 24.3+/-3.0 kg/m(2), respectively. At 6- and 12-month follow-up, weight had increased 0.7+/-2.5 kg (P=.02) and 1.4+/-2.9 kg (P<.001) in the Omega-3/Omega-3 group. In the placebo group, weight was unchanged at 6 months but had increased (P=.01) at 12 months follow-up after Omega-3 supplementation was initiated. Appetite improved in the Omega-3/Omega-3 group over the treatment period (P=.01). In logistic regression analyses, not carrying the APOEepsilon4 allele and high plasma DHA concentrations were independently related to weight gain in the combined group of patients at 6 months follow-up. CONCLUSION: A DHA-enriched Omega-3 FA supplement may positively affect weight and appetite in patients with mild to moderate AD. Not carrying the APOEepsilon4 allele and high DHA were independently associated with weight gain.
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| 10. |
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| 11. |
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| 12. |
- Jönsson, Linus, et al.
(författare)
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Determinants of costs of care for patients with Alzheimer's disease
- 2006
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Ingår i: International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. - : Wiley. - 0885-6230 .- 1099-1166. ; 21:5, s. 449-459
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia, is a major cause of disability and care burden in the elderly. This study aims to estimate the costs of formal and informal care and identity determinants of care costs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and seventy-two (AD) patients and their caregivers were recruited among patients attending regular visits at six memory clinic in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland. Patients with a diagnosis of AD and with an identifiable primary caregiver were eligible for inclusion. Data was collected by questionnaires at baseline, and at scheduled follow-up visits after 6 months and again after 12 months. Cognitive function was assessed with the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and behavioural disturbances were measured using a brief version of the neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI). RESULTS: Total annual costs were on average 172,000 SEK, ranging from 60,700 SEK in mild dementia to 375,000 SEK in severe dementia. Costs for community care (special accommodation, home help, etc.) constituted about half of total costs of care and increase sharply with increasing cognitive impairment. Informal care costs, valued at the opportunity cost of the caregiver's time, make up about a third of total costs and also increased significantly with disease severity. Medical care costs (inpatient care, outpatient care, pharmaceuticals), on the other hand, were not significantly related to disease severity. Regression analysis confirmed a strong association between costs and cognitive function, between patients as well as within patients over time. There was also a significant influence on costs from behavioural disturbances. Sensitivity analysis showed that the method chosen to value informal care can have considerable impact on results. CONCLUSIONS: Costs of care in patient with AD are high and related to dementia severity as well as presence of behavioural disturbances. The cost estimates presented have implications for future economic evaluation of treatments for Alzheimer's disease.
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| 13. |
- Jönsson, Linus, et al.
(författare)
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Patient- and proxy-reported utility in Alzheimer disease using the EuroQoL
- 2006
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Ingår i: Alzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders. - : Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). - 0893-0341 .- 1546-4156. ; 20:1, s. 49-55
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study aims to compare patient- and proxy-rated utilities and health-related quality of life from individuals in different stages of Alzheimer disease (AD). Two hundred seventy-two patients and their primary caregivers were enrolled in a prospective observational study and underwent three consecutive interviews, 6 months apart. Average Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores were 19.3, 18.0, and 16.4 at the three interviews; scores ranged from 0 to 30. Using the EuroQoL EQ-5D instrument, patient-rated health utilities were on average 0.833 with little variation across MMSE-based severity levels. Proxy-rated health utilities were 0.69 (MMSE >25), 0.64 (MMSE 21-25), 0.50 (MMSE 15-20), 0.49 (MMSE 10-14), and 0.33 (MMSE <10). Proxy-rated utilities, as well as changes in utilities over time, were significantly related to MMSE scores and inversely related to scores on a brief version of the neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI) and institutionalization. Utilities were highly correlated with the disease-specific quality of life instrument QoL-AD. The study shows that the EuroQoL can be used to rate utilities in Alzheimer disease, but there are important differences between patient- and proxy-ratings.
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| 14. |
- Kramberger, Milica Gregoric, et al.
(författare)
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Cerebrospinal fluid alzheimer markers in depressed elderly dubjects with and without alzheimer's disease
- 2012
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Ingår i: Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders Extra. - : S. Karger AG. - 1664-5464. ; 2:1, s. 48-56
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between cerebrospinal fluid Alzheimer's disease (AD) markers and depression in elderly people.Method: We included subjects with AD as well as persons with subjective cognitive impairment and normal cognition. Depression was assessed with the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia, and a cut-off score of >6 was used to define depression. Cerebrospinal fluid was analyzed using commercially available assays for β-amyloid 1-42, total tau, and phosphorylated tau 181.Result: A total of 183 participants (66.7% female) were included (92 with AD and 91 with subjective cognitive impairment), with a mean age (±SD) of 67.6 ± 7.4 years, a Mini-Mental State Examination score of 26.0 ± 4.0, and a median Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia score of 5 (range 0-19). Depression scores were not associated with higher phosphorylated tau 181 and total tau or reduced β-amyloid 1-42 in AD or non-demented subjects.Conclusions: These results suggest that AD pathology does not contribute to depression, indicating that other factors may be more important. Further studies of the aetiology of depression in elderly people with and without AD are warranted.
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| 15. |
- Mattsson, Niklas, 1979, et al.
(författare)
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CSF biomarkers and incipient Alzheimer disease in patients with mild cognitive impairment.
- 2009
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Ingår i: JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association. - : American Medical Association (AMA). - 1538-3598 .- 0098-7484. ; 302:4, s. 385-93
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- CONTEXT: Small single-center studies have shown that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers may be useful to identify incipient Alzheimer disease (AD) in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), but large-scale multicenter studies have not been conducted. OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of CSF beta-amyloid(1-42) (Abeta42), total tau protein (T-tau), and tau phosphorylated at position threonine 181 (P-tau) for predicting incipient AD in patients with MCI. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The study had 2 parts: a cross-sectional study involving patients with AD and controls to identify cut points, followed by a prospective cohort study involving patients with MCI, conducted 1990-2007. A total of 750 individuals with MCI, 529 with AD, and 304 controls were recruited by 12 centers in Europe and the United States. Individuals with MCI were followed up for at least 2 years or until symptoms had progressed to clinical dementia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios (LRs) of CSF Abeta42, T-tau, and P-tau for identifying incipient AD. RESULTS: During follow-up, 271 participants with MCI were diagnosed with AD and 59 with other dementias. The Abeta42 assay in particular had considerable intersite variability. Patients who developed AD had lower median Abeta42 (356; range, 96-1075 ng/L) and higher P-tau (81; range, 15-183 ng/L) and T-tau (582; range, 83-2174 ng/L) levels than MCI patients who did not develop AD during follow-up (579; range, 121-1420 ng/L for Abeta42; 53; range, 15-163 ng/L for P-tau; and 294; range, 31-2483 ng/L for T-tau, P < .001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.78 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75-0.82) for Abeta42, 0.76 (95% CI, 0.72-0.80) for P-tau, and 0.79 (95% CI, 0.76-0.83) for T-tau. Cut-offs with sensitivity set to 85% were defined in the AD and control groups and tested in the MCI group, where the combination of Abeta42/P-tau ratio and T-tau identified incipient AD with a sensitivity of 83% (95% CI, 78%-88%), specificity 72% (95% CI, 68%-76%), positive LR, 3.0 (95% CI, 2.5-3.4), and negative LR, 0.24 (95% CI, 0.21-0.28). The positive predictive value was 62% and the negative predictive value was 88%. CONCLUSIONS: This multicenter study found that CSF Abeta42, T-tau, and P-tau identify incipient AD with good accuracy, but less accurately than reported from single-center studies. Intersite assay variability highlights a need for standardization of analytical techniques and clinical procedures.
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| 16. |
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| 17. |
- Nyberg, Svante, et al.
(författare)
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Detection of amyloid in Alzheimer's disease with positron emission tomography using [11C]AZD2184
- 2009
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Ingår i: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. - : Springer. - 1619-7070 .- 1619-7089. ; 36:11, s. 1859-1863
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: Current positron emission tomography (PET) radioligands for detection of Aβ amyloid in Alzheimer's disease (AD) are not ideal for quantification. To improve the signal to noise ratio we have developed the radioligand [11C]AZD2184 and report here the first clinical evaluation.METHODS: Eight AD patients and four younger control subjects underwent 93-min PET measurements with [11C]AZD2184. A ratio approach using the cerebellum as reference region was applied to determine binding parameters.RESULTS: Brain uptake of [11C]AZD2184 peaked within 1 min at 3-4% of injected radioactivity. AD patients had high radioactivity in cortical regions while controls had uniformly low radioactivity uptake. Specific binding peaked within 30 min at which time standardized uptake value ratios (SUVR) ranged between 1.19 and 2.57.CONCLUSION: [11C]AZD2184 is a promising radioligand for detailed mapping of Aβ amyloid depositions in Alzheimer's disease, due to low non-specific binding, high signal to background ratio and reversible binding as evident from early peak equilibrium.
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| 18. |
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| 19. |
- Skoglund, Lena, et al.
(författare)
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The tau S305S mutation causes frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism
- 2008
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Ingår i: European Journal of Neurology. - : Wiley. - 1351-5101 .- 1468-1331. ; 15:2, s. 156-161
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Members of families with mutations in the tau gene are known to be heterogeneous in their clinical presentation, ranging from frontotemporal dementia to a clinical picture more resembling corticobasal degeneration or progressive supranuclear palsy. In this report, we describe a new phenotype for the tau S305S mutation, previously described as progressive supranuclear palsy. Clinically, the three affected family members showed alterations in personality and behaviour as well as cognitive decline and late levodopa-resistant parkinsonian symptoms, consistent with the diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17. One autopsied case displayed degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes together with extensive tau pathology in both neurones and glial cells. Sarkosyl-soluble and -insoluble tau extracted from frontal cortex revealed a ratio shift with decreased levels of tau with three microtubule-binding repeats and increased levels of tau with four microtubule-binding repeats (4R tau). These findings provide further evidence for the clinical and pathological variation both within and between families with mutations in the tau gene. In addition, they support previous studies which demonstrate that the S305S mutation influences the splicing of tau exon 10 and results in an overproduction of 4R tau.
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| 20. |
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| 21. |
- Stenwall, Ewa, et al.
(författare)
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Encountering the older confused patient : professional carers' experiences
- 2007
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences. - : Wiley. - 0283-9318 .- 1471-6712. ; 21:4, s. 515-522
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The study's rationale: Confusion is a common condition among older patients and often a fearful experience. Opinions vary as to how to communicate with and care for confused patients and professional carers often find the patients' situation almost as distressing as the patients' themselves do. Aims and objectives: The aim of this study was to describe professional carers' experiences of their encounters with older confused patients. Methodological design and justification: Data was collected from interviews with 10 professional carers working on a ward specializing in the care of older confused patients. A descriptive phenomenological research approach was used to gather knowledge of professional carers' experiences of encounters with older confused patients. Ethical issues and approval: A Regional Board of Research Ethics granted ethical permission for the study. The appropriate ethical principles were followed. The participants were contacted personally and received a letter providing information on the study. Written consent was requested before the interview. If needed, the participants were able to get in contact with the staff health service for a follow-up after the interview. Names or places have been changed in order to ensure confidentiality. Results: The encounter with the confused patient is experienced as an encounter with an unfamiliar person, where the patients' actions and words are unforeseeable and with a lack of immediate trust. The essential meaning is further illuminated by the meaning constituents: the unforeseeable encounter, always being on guard and using oneself as a tool. Relevance to clinical practice: This paper focuses on the importance of encouraging professional carers to pay attention to the complexity of the encounter with the confused patient, reflecting upon their own behaviour within these encounters and the importance of knowledge of the patient's preferred senses and life stories. Caring for confused patients involves a great responsibility where both the professional carers and the patients are vulnerable and exposed.
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| 22. |
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| 23. |
- Stenwall, Ewa, et al.
(författare)
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The older patient's experience of encountering professional carers and close relatives during an acute confusional state : An interview study
- 2008
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Ingår i: International Journal of Nursing Studies. - : Elsevier BV. - 0020-7489 .- 1873-491X. ; 45:11, s. 1577-1585
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Acute confusional state (ACS) is a common and difficult condition among older patients with a variety of opinions about how to act when encountering patients with ACS. Few studies to our knowledge have been found exploring the encounter from the perspective of older patients and their experiences. Objectives: The aim of this study was to understand the experiences of older patients with ACS when encountering professional carers and close relatives. Design: In order to understand older patients’ experiences of encounters during their ACS a latent qualitative content analysis was used. Settings: The data collection took place at two geriatric wards in an emergency hospital in a metropolitan area. Participants: The inclusion criteria included being aged 65 years or older and having suffered from ACS, according to the DSM-IV criteria, and having regained lucidity. Participants were being cared for at one of two geriatric wards. Patients diagnosed with dementia were excluded. About 150 patients were screened, 67 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria and seven patients were included in the study, four females and three males, aged between 78 and 98 years. Methods: Data were collected by interviews. Results: Three themes were found, namely; ‘Feeling lonely within the perceived reality of ACS’, with three sub-themes: the unequal encounter, keeping a distance and being an outsider; ‘striving towards understanding’ with two sub-themes: searching for answers and it takes time to understand; and ‘feelings of participation in the encounter’ with two sub-themes: a mutual understanding and feeling safe and supported. Conclusions: Within the encounter the older patients with ACS are searching for answers to what is happening and why. The patients feel dependent on the persons they encounter and their willingness to understand and communicate. The patients also feel lonely, unnecessarily questioned and untrustworthy; but they can also feel safe, trusted and understood.
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| 24. |
- Sundelöf, Johan, et al.
(författare)
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Cystatin C Levels are Positively Correlated with both Aβ42 and Tau Levels in Cerebrospinal Fluid in Persons with Alzheimer's Disease, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Healthy Controls
- 2010
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Ingår i: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. - 1387-2877 .- 1875-8908. ; 21:2, s. 471-478
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cystatin C is suggested to be involved in neurodegeneration and the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by binding to soluble amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptides. Studies of cystatin C levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in relation to risk of AD are conflicting and relations between cystatin C, Abeta42, and tau levels in CSF in AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and healthy controls are unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate cystatin C, Abeta42, and tau levels in CSF in AD, MCI, and controls. As a secondary aim, the relationships between cystatin C, Abeta42, and tau levels across disease groups were investigated. Cystatin C, Abeta42, total tau, and phosphorylated tau levels in CSF were analyzed by turbidimetry (cystatin C) and xMAP Luminex technology (Abeta and tau) in persons with AD (n=101), MCI (n=84), and healthy control subjects (n=28). Mean cystatin C levels were similar in cases of AD (5.6 mumol/L +/- 1.7), MCI (5.4 mumol/L +/- 1.48), and controls (5.6 mumol/L +/- 1.6). However, CSF cystatin C levels were strongly and positively correlated with total tau and phosphorylated tau levels (r=0.61-0.81, p< 0.0001) and Abeta42 (r=0.35-0.65, p< 0.001) independent of age, gender, and APOE genotype. Mean CSF cystatin C levels did not differ between patients with AD and MCI and healthy controls. Interestingly, cystatin C levels were positively correlated with both tau and Abeta42 levels in CSF independent of age, gender, and APOE genotype.
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| 25. |
- Sundelöf, Johan, et al.
(författare)
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Higher Cathepsin B Levels in Plasma in Alzheimer's Disease Compared to Healthy Controls
- 2010
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Ingår i: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. - 1387-2877 .- 1875-8908. ; 22:4, s. 1223-1230
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cathepsin B is suggested to be involved in amyloid-β (Aβ) processing and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Studies of cathepsin B levels in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have not been previously performed. We examined cathepsin B levels in plasma and CSF samples in persons with AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and healthy controls in order to test the hypothesis that cathepsin B levels can discriminate persons with AD or MCI from healthy controls. Cathepsin B, Cystatin C, Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42, total tau, phosphorylated tau, and albumin levels in plasma and CSF were analyzed by ELISA (Cathepsin B) turbidimetry (cystatin C), xMAP Luminex technology (Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 and tau), and Cobas C501 analyzer (albumin) in persons with AD (n=101), MCI (n=84), and healthy control subjects (n=28). Plasma cathepsin B levels were higher in persons with AD compared to healthy controls, both in unadjusted models and in multivariable models adjusting for age, gender, APOE genotype, cystatin C, and albumin levels: Odds ratio (OR) for AD per 1 SD of plasma cathepsin B; 2.04, 95% confidence interval (CI); 1.01-4.14, p= 0.05. There was no difference between diagnostic groups in cathepsin B levels in CSF: OR for AD per 1 SD of CSF cathepsin B; 0.93, 95% CI; 0.37-2.30, p= 0.87. Plasma cathepsin B levels were higher in persons with AD compared to healthy controls whereas there was no difference between diagnostic groups in cathepsin B levels in CSF. Further investigation of cathepsin B as a predictor of AD is warranted.
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| 26. |
- Vedin, Inger, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of DHA-rich n-3 fatty acid supplementation on gene expression in blood mononuclear leukocytes : the OmegAD study
- 2012
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : PLOS. - 1932-6203. ; 7:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Dietary fish oil, rich in n-3 fatty acids (n-3 FAs), e.g. docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), regulate inflammatory reactions by various mechanisms, e.g. gene activation. However, the effects of long-term treatment with DHA and EPA in humans, using genome wide techniques, are poorly described. Hence, our aim was to determine the effects of 6 mo of dietary supplementation with an n-3 FA preparation rich in DHA on global gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.METHODS AND FINDINGS: In the present study, blood samples were obtained from a subgroup of 16 patients originating from the randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled OmegAD study, where 174 Alzheimer disease (AD) patients received daily either 1.7 g of DHA and 0.6 g EPA or placebo for 6 months. In blood samples obtained from 11 patients receiving n-3 FA and five placebo, expressions of approximately 8000 genes were assessed by gene array. Significant changes were confirmed by real-time PCR. At 6 months, the n-3 FAs group displayed significant rises of DHA and EPA plasma concentrations, as well as up- and down-regulation of nine and ten genes, respectively, was noticed. Many of these genes are involved in inflammation regulation and neurodegeneration, e.g. CD63, MAN2A1, CASP4, LOC399491, NAIP, and SORL1 and in ubiqutination processes, e.g. ANAPC5 and UBE2V1. Down-regulations of ANAPC5 and RHOB correlated to increases of plasma DHA and EPA levels.CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that 6 months of dietary n-3 FA supplementation affected expression of genes that might influence inflammatory processes and could be of significance for AD.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00211159.
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| 27. |
- Vedin, Inger, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of docosahexaenoic acid-rich n-3 fatty acid supplementation on cytokine release from blood mononuclear leukocytes : the OmegAD study
- 2008
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Ingår i: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. - : HighWire Press. - 0002-9165 .- 1938-3207. ; 87:6, s. 1616-1622
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Dietary fish or fish oil rich in n-3 fatty acids (n-3 FAs), eg, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), ameliorate inflammatory reactions by various mechanisms. Whereas most studies have explored the effects of predominantly EPA-based n-3 FAs preparations, few have addressed the effects of n-3 FAs preparations with DHA as the main FA.OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine the effects of 6 mo of dietary supplementation with an n-3 FAs preparation rich in DHA on release of cytokines and growth factors from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).DESIGN: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 174 Alzheimer disease (AD) patients received daily either 1.7 g DHA and 0.6 g EPA (n-3 FAs group) or placebo for 6 mo. In the present study blood samples were obtained from the 23 first randomized patients, and PBMCs were isolated before and after 6 mo of treatment.RESULTS: Plasma concentrations of DHA and EPA were significantly increased at 6 mo in the n-3 FAs group. This group also showed significant decreases of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1beta, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor secretion after stimulation of PBMCs with lipopolysaccharide. Changes in the DHA and EPA concentrations were negatively associated with changes in IL-1beta and IL-6 release for all subjects. Reductions of IL-1beta and IL-6 were also significantly correlated with each other. In contrast, this n-3 FA treatment for 6 mo did not decrease tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IotaL-8, IL-10, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor secretion.CONCLUSION: AD patients treated with DHA-rich n-3 FAs supplementation increased their plasma concentrations of DHA (and EPA), which were associated with reduced release of IL-1beta, IL-6, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor from PBMCs. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00211159.
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| 28. |
- Vedin, Inger, et al.
(författare)
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Reduced prostaglandin F-2 alpha release from blood mononuclear leukocytes after oral supplementation of omega 3 fatty acids : the OmegAD study
- 2010
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Ingår i: Journal of Lipid Research. - : American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. - 0022-2275 .- 1539-7262. ; 51:5, s. 1179-1185
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Omega-3 fatty acids, e. g., dokosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eikosapentaenoic acid (EPA), ameliorate inflammatory reactions by various mechanisms, but the role of prostaglandins remains unclear. Our aim was to determine if dietary supplementation with a DHA-rich fish oil influenced the release of PGF(2 alpha) from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). In the OmegAD study, 174 Alzheimer disease patients received either 1.7 g DHA plus 0.6 g EPA or a placebo daily for six months. PBMCs from the 21 ( 9 on fish oil and 12 on placebo) first-randomized patients were stimulated with either lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or phytohemagglutinin (PHA) before and after 6 months. Our results showed that plasma concentrations of DHA and EPA increased significantly at 6 months in the omega-3 group. PGF(2 alpha) release from LPS- ( but not from PHA-) stimulated PBMC was significantly diminished in this group; no change was noted in the placebo group. PGF(2 alpha) changes correlated inversely with changes in plasma DHA and EPA. Decreased IL-6 and IL-1(beta) levels correlated with decreased PGF(2 alpha) levels. The stimulus-specific PGF(2 alpha) release from PBMC after 6 months of oral supplementation with the DHA-rich fish oil might be one event related to reduced inflammatory reactions associated with omega-3 fatty acid intake.
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