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- Hampel, Harald, et al.
(författare)
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Lithium trial in Alzheimer's disease : a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter 10-week study
- 2009
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. - 0160-6689 .- 1555-2101. ; 70:6, s. 922-931
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: Lithium, a first-line drug for the treatment of bipolar depression, has recently been shown to regulate glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3), a kinase that is involved in the phosphorylation of the tau protein. Since hyperphosphorylation of tau is a core pathological feature in Alzheimer's disease, lithium-induced inhibition of GSK-3 activity may have therapeutic effects in Alzheimer's disease. In the current study, we tested the effect of short-term lithium treatment in patients with Alzheimer's disease. METHOD: A total of 71 patients with mild Alzheimer's disease (Mini-Mental State Examination score > or = 21 and < or = 26) were successfully randomly assigned to placebo (N = 38) or lithium treatment (N = 33) at 6 academic expert memory clinics. The 10-week treatment included a 6-week titration phase to reach the target serum level of lithium (0.5-0.8 mmol/L). The primary outcome measures were cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of phosphorylated tau (p-tau) and GSK-3 activity in lymphocytes. Secondary outcome measures were CSF concentration of total tau and beta-amyloid(1-42) (Abeta(1-42)), plasma levels of Abeta(1-42), Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS)-Cognitive summary scores, MMSE, and Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Patients were enrolled in the study from November 2004 to July 2005. RESULTS: No treatment effect on GSK-3 activity or CSF-based biomarker concentrations (P > .05) was observed. Lithium treatment did not lead to change in global cognitive performance as measured by the ADAS-Cog subscale (P = .11) or in depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The current results do not support the notion that lithium treatment may lead to reduced hyperphosphorylation of tau protein after a short 10-week treatment in the Alzheimer's disease target population.
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2. |
- Basun, Hans, et al.
(författare)
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Clinical and neuropathological features of the arctic APP gene mutation causing early-onset Alzheimer disease
- 2008
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Ingår i: Archives of neurology. - : American Medical Association (AMA). - 0003-9942 .- 1538-3687. ; 65:4, s. 499-505
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: A majority of mutations within the beta-amyloid region of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene cause inherited forms of intracerebral hemorrhage. Most of these mutations may also cause cognitive impairment, but the Arctic APP mutation is the only known intra-beta-amyloid mutation to date causing the more typical clinical picture of Alzheimer disease. OBJECTIVE: To describe features of 1 Swedish and 1 American family with the previously reported Arctic APP mutation. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Affected and nonaffected carriers of the Arctic APP mutation from the Swedish and American families were investigated clinically. In addition, 1 brain from each family was investigated neuropathologically. RESULTS: The clinical picture, with age at disease onset in the sixth to seventh decade of life and dysfunction in multiple cognitive areas, is indicative of Alzheimer disease and similar to the phenotype for other Alzheimer disease APP mutations. Several affected mutation carriers displayed general brain atrophy and reduced blood flow of the parietal lobe as demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging and single-photon emission computed tomography. One Swedish case and 1 American case with the Arctic APP mutation came to autopsy, and both showed no signs of hemorrhage but revealed severe congophilic angiopathy, region-specific neurofibrillary tangle pathological findings, and abundant amyloid plaques. Intriguingly, most plaques from both of these cases had a characteristic ringlike character. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our findings corroborate that the Arctic APP mutation causes a clinical and neuropathological picture compatible with Alzheimer disease.
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- Blennow, Kaj, 1958, et al.
(författare)
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Longitudinal stability of CSF biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease
- 2007
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Ingår i: Neuroscience Letters. - : Elsevier BV. - 0304-3940 .- 1872-7972. ; 419:1, s. 18-22
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Biomarker levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may serve as surrogate markers for treatment efficacy in clinical trials of disease-modifying drugs against Alzheimer's disease (AD). A prerequisite, however, is that the marker is sufficiently stable over time in individual patients. Here, we tested the stability of the three established CSF biomarkers for AD, total tau (T-tau), tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 (P-tau181) and the 42 amino acid isoform of β-amyloid (Aβ42), over 6 months in a cohort of AD patients on stable treatment with acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors. Fifty-three patients completed the study, 29 men and 24 women, mean age (±S.D.) 76.1 ± 7.9 years. Mean levels of CSF biomarkers were very stable between baseline and endpoint, with coefficients of variation (CVs) of 4.4–6.1%. Intra-individual biomarker levels at baseline and endpoint were also highly correlated with Pearson r-values above 0.95 (p < 0.0001), for all three markers. We conclude that T-tau, P-tau and Aβ42 concentrations in CSF are remarkably stable over a 6-month period in individual AD patients. This suggest that these biomarkers may have a potential to identify and monitor very minor biochemical changes induced by treatment, and thus support their possible usefulness as surrogate markers in clinical trials with drug candidates with disease-modifying potential, such as secretase inhibitors, Aβ immunotherapy and tau phosphorylation inhibitors.
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4. |
- Claeson Bohnstedt, Kristina, et al.
(författare)
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Porous graphitic carbon chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the detection of isoprostanes in human cerebrospinal fluid
- 2005
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Ingår i: Journal of chromatography. B. - : Elsevier BV. - 1570-0232 .- 1873-376X. ; 827:1, s. 39-43
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- F2-isoprostanes are produced by the non-enzymatic peroxidation of arachidonic acid in membrane phospholipids. This paper describes a new method for the determination of all four classes of F2-isoprostanes in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) involving separation on a 1 mm × 150 mm porous graphitic carbon (PGC) column and detection by triple quadrupole mass spectrometry in negative-ion electrospray mode. The sample pre-treatment consisted of an ultrafiltration step, following which 300 μl of CSF sample could be injected directly onto a 1 mm × 10 mm PGC guard column functioning as a trap for the analytes. The loading solvent was Milli-Q water at 125 μl/min. After 3 min, the sample was switched into the separation column. The F2-isoprostanes were separated in 20 min using a linear solvent gradient comprising water, methanol, acetonitrile and ammonium hydroxide at a pH of 9.5 and a flow of 50 μl/min The limit of detection (calculated as 3S/N) was approximately 40 pM (14 pg/ml). The assay was linear within the examined range (18–450 pg/ml), using CSF spiked with iPF2α-III standard (r2 > 0.995). Repeatability data were calculated for CSF spiked to 90 pg/ml and the relative standard deviation (RSD) obtained was 3% (n = 6).
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5. |
- Degerman Gunnarsson, Malin, et al.
(författare)
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Reduction of Phosphorylated Tau during Memantine Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease
- 2007
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Ingår i: Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders. - : S. Karger AG. - 1420-8008 .- 1421-9824. ; 24:4, s. 247-252
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Memantine is a moderate affinity N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist approved for treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In AD, tau is abnormally hyperphosphorylated. However, no significant changes of phosphorylated tau levels in CSF are found at follow-up in studies with AD patients. It has been shown in vitro that memantine reverse induced abnormal hyperphosphorylation of tau in hippocampal neurons of rats. Methods: Eleven AD patients were examined with cognitive tests and interviews of relatives. CSF analyses were performed before starting treatment with memantine as well as after 1 year. Results: A statistically significant reduction of CSF phosphorylated tau at the 1-year follow-up was seen, from median 126 (interquartile range 107-153) to 108 (88-133) ng/l (p = 0.018). No statistically significant differences of total tau or A42 were found. Conclusion: The results may reflect effects of memantine on a key pathological feature in AD in line with previous in vitro findings.
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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 fatty acid treatment in 174 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease : OmegAD study - A randomized double-blind trial
- 2006
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Ingår i: Archives of Neurology. - : American Medical Association (AMA). - 0003-9942 .- 1538-3687. ; 63:10, s. 1402-1408
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Epidemiologic and animal studies have suggested that dietary fish or fish oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids, for example, docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, may prevent Alzheimer disease (AD). Objective: To determine effects of dietary omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on cognitive functions in patients with mild to moderate AD. Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Participants: Two hundred four patients with AD (age range [mean +/- SD], 74 +/- 9 years) whose conditions were stable while receiving acetylcholine esterase inhibitor treatment and who had a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 15 points or more were randomized to daily intake of 1.7 g of docosahexaenoic acid and 0.6 g of eicosapentaenoic acid (omega-3 fatty acid-treated group) or placebo for 6 months, after which all received omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for 6 months more. Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome was cognition measured with the MMSE and the cognitive portion of the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale. The secondary outcome was global function as assessed with the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale; safety and tolerability of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation; and blood pressure determinations. Results: One hundred seventy-four patients fulfilled the trial. At baseline, mean values for the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale, MMSE, and cognitive portion of the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale in the 2 randomized groups were similar. At 6 months, the decline in cognitive functions as assessed by the latter 2 scales did not differ between the groups. However, in a subgroup (n=32) with very mild cognitive dysfunction (MMSE > 27 points), a significant (P <.05) reduction in MMSE decline rate was observed in the omega-3 fatty acid-treated group compared with the placebo group. A similar arrest in decline rate was observed between 6 and 12 months in this placebo subgroup when receiving omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. The omega-3 fatty acid treatment was safe and well tolerated. Conclusions: Administration of omega-3 fatty acid in patients with mild to moderate AD did not delay the rate of cognitive decline according to the MMSE or the cognitive portion of the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale. However, positive effects were observed in a small group of patients with very mild AD (MMSE > 27 points).
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9. |
- 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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