1. |
- Leinonen, Ville, et al.
(author)
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Assessment of beta-amyloid in a frontal cortical brain biopsy specimen and by positron emission tomography with carbon 11-labeled Pittsburgh Compound B.
- 2008
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In: Archives of Neurology. - : American Medical Association (AMA). - 0003-9942 .- 1538-3687. ; 65:10, s. 1304-9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To compare carbon 11-labeled Pittsburgh Compound B ([11C]PiB) positron emission tomography (PET) findings in patients with and without Alzheimer disease lesions in frontal cortical biopsy specimens.DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of [11C]PiB PET findings in patients with or without beta-amyloid (Abeta) aggregates in frontal cortical biopsy specimens.SETTING: Two university hospitals in Finland. Patients Ten patients who had undergone intraventricular pressure monitoring with a frontal cortical biopsy (evaluated for Abeta aggregates and hyperphosphorylated tau) for suspected normal-pressure hydrocephalus.INTERVENTIONS: [11C]PiB PET and evaluation for cognitive impairment using a battery of neuropsychological tests.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Immunohistochemical evaluation for Abeta aggregates and hyperphosphorylated tau in the frontal cortical biopsy specimen and [11C]PiB PET.RESULTS: In patients with Abeta aggregates in the frontal cortical biopsy specimen, PET imaging revealed higher [11C]PiB uptake (P < .05) in the frontal, parietal, and lateral temporal cortices and in the striatum as compared with the patients without frontal Abeta deposits.CONCLUSIONS: Our study supports the use of noninvasive [11C]PiB PET in the assessment of Abeta deposition in the brain. Large prospective studies are required to verify whether [11C]PiB PET will be a diagnostic aid, particularly in early Alzheimer disease.
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2. |
- Rinne, Juha O., et al.
(author)
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[C-11]PIB PET Is Associated with the Brain Biopsy Amyloid-beta Load in Subjects Examined for Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
- 2019
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In: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. - : IOS Press. - 1387-2877 .- 1875-8908. ; 67:4, s. 1343-1351
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is frequently associated with concomitant amyloid-beta (A beta) pathology. Objective: To compare the [C-11]PIB PET uptake in the patients with suspected iNPH to A beta and hyperphosphorylated-tau (HP tau) in the right frontal cortical biopsy, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) A beta, the response to a CSF shunt, and the final clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods: Patients (n = 21) from Kuopio NPH Registry (http://www.uef.fi/nph) with intraventricular pressure monitoring, immunostaining for A beta and HP tau in the right frontal cortical biopsies, and a Mini-Mental State Examination and a Clinical Dementia Rating underwent [C-1(1)]PIB PET. A beta, total tau, and P tau(181) were measured by ELISA from the ventricular (n= 15) and the lumbar (n = 9) CSF. Response to the shunt was seen in 13 out of the 15 shunted patients. AD was diagnosed in 8 patients during a median follow-up of 6 years (mean 7.3 +/- 2.4 years, range 3-1). Results: [C-11]PIB uptake in the right frontal cortex (rho = 0.60, p < 0.01) and the combined neocortical [C-11]PIB uptake score (rho = 0.61, p < 0.01) were associated with a higher A beta load in the right frontal cortical biopsy. Excluding one (1/15) outlier, [C-11]PIB uptake was also associated with the ventricular CSF A beta (rho = -0.58, p = 0.03). Conclusions: The findings show that [C-11]PIB PET can reliably detect simultaneous amyloid pathology among the iNPH patients. Further studies will show whether amyloid PET could predict a clinical response to the shunt operation. In addition, the presence of A beta pathology in the patients with iNPH might also warrant treatment with current AD drugs.
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3. |
- Rinne, Nea, et al.
(author)
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Developmental dyslexia susceptibility genes DNAAF4, DCDC2, and NRSN1 are associated with brain function in fluently reading adolescents and young adults
- 2024
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In: Cerebral Cortex. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1047-3211 .- 1460-2199. ; 34:4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Reading skills and developmental dyslexia, characterized by difficulties in developing reading skills, have been associated with brain anomalies within the language network. Genetic factors contribute to developmental dyslexia risk, but the mechanisms by which these genes influence reading skills remain unclear. In this preregistered study (https://osf.io/7sehx), we explored if developmental dyslexia susceptibility genes DNAAF4, DCDC2, NRSN1, and KIAA0319 are associated with brain function in fluently reading adolescents and young adults. Functional MRI and task performance data were collected during tasks involving written and spoken sentence processing, and DNA sequence variants of developmental dyslexia susceptibility genes previously associated with brain structure anomalies were genotyped. The results revealed that variation in DNAAF4, DCDC2, and NRSN1 is associated with brain activity in key language regions: the left inferior frontal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, and intraparietal sulcus. Furthermore, NRSN1 was associated with task performance, but KIAA0319 did not yield any significant associations. Our findings suggest that individuals with a genetic predisposition to developmental dyslexia may partly employ compensatory neural and behavioral mechanisms to maintain typical task performance. Our study highlights the relevance of these developmental dyslexia susceptibility genes in language-related brain function, even in individuals without developmental dyslexia, providing valuable insights into the genetic factors influencing language processing.
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4. |
- Salmi, Juha, et al.
(author)
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Disentangling the Role of Working Memory in Parkinson's Disease
- 2020
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In: Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 1663-4365. ; 12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Working memory (WM) represents a core cognitive function with a major striatal contribution, and thus WM deficits, commonly observed in Parkinson's disease (PD), could also relate to many other problems in PD patients. Our online study aimed to determine the subdomains of WM that are particularly affected in PD and to clarify the links between WM and everyday cognitive deficits, other executive functions, psychiatric and PD symptoms, as well as early cognitive impairment. Fifty-two mild-to-moderate PD patients and 54 healthy controls performed seven WM tasks tapping selective updating, continuous monitoring, or maintenance of currently active information. Self-ratings of everyday cognition, depression, and apathy symptoms, as well as screenings of global cognitive impairment, were also collected. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Of the three WM domains, only selective updating was directly predictive of PD group membership. More widespread WM deficits were observed only in relation to global cognitive impairment in PD patients. Self-rated everyday cognition or psychiatric symptoms were not linked to WM performance but correlated with each other. Our findings suggest that WM has a rather limited role in the clinical manifestation of PD. Nevertheless, due to its elementary link to striatal function, the updating component of WM could be a candidate for a cognitive marker of PD also in patients who are otherwise cognitively well-preserved.
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5. |
- Toppala, Sini, et al.
(author)
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Midlife Insulin Resistance as a Predictor for Late-Life Cognitive Function and Cerebrovascular Lesions
- 2019
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In: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. - : IOS Press. - 1387-2877 .- 1875-8908. ; 72:1, s. 215-228
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) increases the risk for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) but not for AD neuropathology. The association between T2DM and AD is assumed to be mediated through vascular mechanisms. However, insulin resistance (IR), the hallmark of T2DM, has been shown to associate with AD neuropathology and cognitive decline.Objective: To evaluate if midlife IR predicts late-life cognitive performance and cerebrovascular lesions (white matter hyperintensities and total vascular burden), and whether cerebrovascular lesions and brain amyloid load are associated with cognitive functioning.Methods: This exposure-to-control follow-up study examined 60 volunteers without dementia (mean age 70.9 years) with neurocognitive testing, brain 3T-MRI and amyloid-PET imaging. The volunteers were recruited from the Finnish Health 2000 survey (n = 6062) to attend follow-up examinations in 2014–2016 according to their insulin sensitivity in 2000 and their APOE genotype. The exposure group (n = 30) had IR in 2000 and the 30 controls had normal insulin sensitivity. There were 15 APOE ɛ4 carriers per group. Statistical analyses were performed with multivariable linear models.Results: At follow-up the IR+group performed worse on executive functions (p = 0.02) and processing speed (p = 0.007) than the IR- group. The groups did not differ in cerebrovascular lesions. No associations were found between cerebrovascular lesions and neurocognitive test scores. Brain amyloid deposition associated with slower processing speed.Conclusion: Midlife IR predicted poorer executive functions and slower processing speed, but not cerebrovascular lesions. Brain amyloid deposition was associated with slower processing speed. The association between midlife IR and late-life cognition might not be mediated through cerebrovascular lesions measured here.
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6. |
- Alakurtti, Kati, et al.
(author)
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Long-term test-retest reliability of striatal and extrastriatal dopamine D-2/3 receptor binding : study with [C-11]raclopride and high-resolution PET
- 2015
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In: Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism. - : SAGE Publications. - 0271-678X .- 1559-7016. ; 35:7, s. 1199-1205
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We measured the long-term test-retest reliability of [C-11]raclopride binding in striatal subregions, the thalamus and the cortex using the bolus-plus-infusion method and a high-resolution positron emission scanner. Seven healthy male volunteers underwent two positron emission tomography (PET) [C-11]raclopride assessments, with a 5-week retest interval. D-2/3 receptor availability was quantified as binding potential using the simplified reference tissue model. Absolute variability (VAR) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values indicated very good reproducibility for the striatum and were 4.5%/0.82, 3.9%/0.83, and 3.9%/0.82, for the caudate nucleus, putamen, and ventral striatum, respectively. Thalamic reliability was also very good, with VAR of 3.7% and ICC of 0.92. Test-retest data for cortical areas showed good to moderate reproducibility (6.1% to 13.1%). Our results are in line with previous test-retest studies of [C-11]raclopride binding in the striatum. A novel finding is the relatively low variability of [C-11]raclopride binding, providing suggestive evidence that extrastriatal D-2/3 binding can be studied in vivo with [C-11]raclopride PET to be verified in future studies.
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7. |
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8. |
- Asser, Andres, et al.
(author)
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Increased striatal VMAT2 binding in mice after chronic administration of methcathinone and manganese
- 2016
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In: Brain Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 0006-8993 .- 1872-6240. ; 1652, s. 97-102
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Intravenous use of a psychostimulant drug containing methcathinone (ephedrone) and manganese causes an irreversible extrapyramidal syndrome in drug abusers. We aimed to reproduce the syndrome in mice to evaluate dopaminergic damage. C57/B6 mice were intraperitoneally injected once a day with the study drug or saline for a period of 27 weeks. Motor activity was recorded in an automated motility-box. After 13 and 27 weeks of treatment, ex vivo digital autoradiography was performed using [C-11]dihydrotetrabenazine ([C-11]DTBZ). After 27 weeks of treatment [C-11]DTBZ autoradiography demonstrated a significant increase in the striatum to -cerebellum binding ratio compared with saline treated controls. At the same time point, there was no evident change in motor activity. Increased [C-11]DTBZ binding may indicate vesicular monoamine transporter type 2 (VMAT2) function is altered. The lack of extrapyramidal symptoms in animals could be attributed to low dosing regimen or high metabolic rate.
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9. |
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10. |
- Bäckman, Lars, et al.
(author)
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Effects of working-memory training on striatal dopamine release
- 2011
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In: Science. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 0036-8075 .- 1095-9203. ; 333:6043, s. 718-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Updating of working memory has been associated with striato-frontal brain regions and phasic dopaminergic neurotransmission. We assessed raclopride binding to striatal dopamine (DA) D2 receptors during a letter-updating task and a control condition before and after 5 weeks of updating training. Results showed that updating affected DA activity before training and that training further increased striatal DA release during updating. These findings highlight the pivotal role of transient neural processes associated with D2 receptor activity in working memory.
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11. |
- Bäckman, Lars, et al.
(author)
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Increased dopamine release after working-memory updating training : Neurochemical correlates of transfer
- 2017
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In: Scientific Reports. - : NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP. - 2045-2322. ; 7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Previous work demonstrates that working-memory (WM) updating training results in improved performance on a letter-memory criterion task, transfers to an untrained n-back task, and increases striatal dopamine (DA) activity during the criterion task. Here, we sought to replicate and extend these findings by also examining neurochemical correlates of transfer. Four positron emission tomography (PET) scans using the radioligand raclopride were performed. Two of these assessed DAD2 binding (letter memory; n-back) before 5 weeks of updating training, and the same two scans were performed post training. Key findings were (a) pronounced training-related behavioral gains in the lettermemory criterion task, (b) altered striatal DAD2 binding potential after training during letter-memory performance, suggesting training-induced increases in DA release, and (c) increased striatal DA activity also during the n-back transfer task after the intervention, but no concomitant behavioral transfer. The fact that the training-related DA alterations during the transfer task were not accompanied by behavioral transfer suggests that increased DA release may be a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for behavioral transfer to occur.
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12. |
- Chaney, Aisling M., et al.
(author)
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Prodromal neuroinflammatory, cholinergic and metabolite dysfunction detected by PET and MRS in the TgF344-AD transgenic rat model of AD : a collaborative multi-modal study
- 2021
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In: Theranostics. - : Ivyspring International Publisher. - 1838-7640. ; 11:14, s. 6644-6667
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Mouse models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are valuable but do not fully recapitulate human AD pathology, such as spontaneous Tau fibril accumulation and neuronal loss, necessitating the development of new AD models. The transgenic (TG) TgF344-AD rat has been reported to develop age-dependent AD features including neuronal loss and neurofibrillary tangles, despite only expressing APP and PSEN1 mutations, suggesting an improved modelling of AD hallmarks. Alterations in neuronal networks as well as learning performance and cognition tasks have been reported in this model, but none have combined a longitudinal, multimodal approach across multiple centres, which mimics the approaches commonly taken in clinical studies. We therefore aimed to further characterise the progression of AD-like pathology and cognition in the TgF344-AD rat from young-adults (6 months (m)) to mid- (12 m) and advanced-stage (18 m, 25 m) of the disease.Methods: TgF344-AD rats and wild-type (WT) littermates were imaged at 6 m, 12 m and 18 m with [18F]DPA-714 (TSPO, neuroinflammation), [18F]Florbetaben (Aβ) and [18F]ASEM (α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor) and with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and with (S)-[18F]THK5117 (Tau) at 15 and 25 m. Behaviour tests were also performed at 6 m, 12 m and 18 m. Immunohistochemistry (CD11b, GFAP, Aβ, NeuN, NeuroChrom) and Tau (S)-[18F]THK5117 autoradiography, immunohistochemistry and Western blot were also performed.Results: [18F]DPA-714 positron emission tomography (PET) showed an increase in neuroinflammation in TG vs wildtype animals from 12 m in the hippocampus (+11%), and at the advanced-stage AD in the hippocampus (+12%), the thalamus (+11%) and frontal cortex (+14%). This finding coincided with strong increases in brain microgliosis (CD11b) and astrogliosis (GFAP) at these time-points as assessed by immunohistochemistry. In vivo [18F]ASEM PET revealed an age-dependent increase uptake in the striatum and pallidum/nucleus basalis of Meynert in WT only, similar to that observed with this tracer in humans, resulting in TG being significantly lower than WT by 18 m. In vivo [18F]Florbetaben PET scanning detected Aβ accumulation at 18 m, and (S)-[18F]THK5117 PET revealed subsequent Tau accumulation at 25m in hippocampal and cortical regions. Aβ plaques were low but detectable by immunohistochemistry from 6 m, increasing further at 12 and 18 m with Tau-positive neurons adjacent to Aβ plaques at 18 m. NeuroChrom (a pan neuronal marker) immunohistochemistry revealed a loss of neuronal staining at the Aβ plaques locations, while NeuN labelling revealed an age-dependent decrease in hippocampal neuron number in both genotypes. Behavioural assessment using the novel object recognition task revealed that both WT & TgF344-AD animals discriminated the novel from familiar object at 3 m and 6 m of age. However, low levels of exploration observed in both genotypes at later time-points resulted in neither genotype successfully completing the task. Deficits in social interaction were only observed at 3 m in the TgF344-AD animals. By in vivo MRS, we showed a decrease in neuronal marker N-acetyl-aspartate in the hippocampus at 18 m (-18% vs age-matched WT, and -31% vs 6 m TG) and increased Taurine in the cortex of TG (+35% vs age-matched WT, and +55% vs 6 m TG).Conclusions: This multi-centre multi-modal study demonstrates, for the first time, alterations in brain metabolites, cholinergic receptors and neuroinflammation in vivo in this model, validated by robust ex vivo approaches. Our data confirm that, unlike mouse models, the TgF344-AD express Tau pathology that can be detected via PET, albeit later than by ex vivo techniques, and is a useful model to assess and longitudinally monitor early neurotransmission dysfunction and neuroinflammation in AD.
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13. |
- Chertkow, H., et al.
(author)
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An Action Plan to Face the Challenge of Dementia : INTERNATIONAL STATEMENT ON DEMENTIA from IAP for Health
- 2018
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In: The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease. - : EDITIONS SERDI. - 2274-5807 .- 2426-0266. ; 5:3, s. 207-212
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- An international committee set up through the IAP for Health met to develop an action plan for dementia. Comprehensive international and national initiatives should move forward with calls for action that include increased public awareness regarding brain health and dementia, support for a broad range of dementia research objectives, and investment in national health care systems to ensure timely competent person-centred care for individuals with dementia. The elements of such action plans should include: 1) Development of national plans including assessment of relevant lifecourse risk and protective factors; 2) Increased investments in national research programs on dementia with approximately 1% of the national annual cost of the disease invested; 3) Allocating funds to support a broad range of biomedical, clinical, and health service and systems research; 4) Institution of risk reduction strategies; 5) Building the required trained workforce (health care workers, teachers, and others) to deal with the dementia crisis; 6) Ensuring that it is possible to live well with dementia; and 7) Ensuring that all have access to prevention programs, care, and supportive living environments.
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14. |
- Danfors, Torsten, 1964-
(author)
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11C Molecular Imaging in Focal Epilepsy
- 2012
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Epilepsy is a common neurological disease affecting 6 million people in Europe. Early prevention and accurate diagnosis and treatment are of importance to obtain seizure freedom. In this thesis new applications of carbon-11-labelled tracers in PET and autoradiographic studies were explored in focal epilepsy.Patients with low-grade gliomas often experience epileptic seizures. A retrospective PET-study assessing seizure activity, metabolic rate measured with 11C-methionine and other known prognostic factors was performed in patients with glioma. No correlation was found between seizure activity and uptake of methionine. The presence and termination of early seizures was a favourable prognostic factor.Activation of the neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor by substance P (SP) induces epileptic activity. PET with the NK1 receptor antagonist GR205171 was performed in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and healthy controls. In TLE patients an increased NK1 receptor availability was found in both hemispheres, most pronounced in anterior cingulate gyrus ipsilateral to seizure onset. A positive correlation between NK1 receptors and seizure frequency was observed in ipsilateral medial structures consistent with an intrinsic network using the NK1-SP receptor system for transmission of seizure activity.The uptake of 18F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose (FDG) is related to cerebral blood flow (CBF). Previously, methods to estimate blood flow from dynamic PET data have been described. A retrospective study was conducted in 15 patients undergoing epilepsy surgery investigation, including PET with 11C-FDG and 11C-Flumazenil (FMZ). The dynamic FMZ dataset and pharmacokinetic modeling with a multilinear reference tissue model were used to determine images of relative CBF. Agreement between data of FDG and CBF was analyzed showing a close association between interictal brain metabolism and relative CBF.Epilepsy often occurs after traumatic brain injuries. Changes in glia and inhibitory neuronal cells contribute to the chain of events leading to seizures. Autoradiography with 11C-PK11195, 11C-L-deprenyl and 11C-Flumazenil in an animal model of posttraumatic epilepsy studied the temporal and spatial distribution of microglia, astrocytes and GABAergic neurons. Results showed an instant increase in microglial activity that subsequently normalized, a late formation of astrogliosis and an instant and prolonged decease in GABA binding. The model can be used to visualize pathophysiological events during the epileptogenesis.
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15. |
- Ekblad, Laura L., et al.
(author)
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Midlife insulin resistance, APOE genotype, and late-life brain amyloid accumulation
- 2018
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In: Neurology. - : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. - 0028-3878 .- 1526-632X. ; 90:13, s. e1150-e1157
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective To examine whether midlife insulin resistance is an independent risk factor for brain amyloid accumulation in vivo after 15 years, and whether this risk is modulated by APOE epsilon 4 genotype. Methods This observational study examined 60 elderly volunteers without dementia (mean age at baseline 55.4 and at follow-up 70.9 years, 55.5% women) from the Finnish population-based, nationwide Health2000 study with [C-11]Pittsburgh compound B-PET imaging in 2014-2016. The participants were recruited according to their homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values in the year 2000, and their APOE epsilon 4 genotype. The exposure group (IR+, n = 30) consisted of individuals with HOMA-IR > 2.17 at baseline (highest tertile of the Health2000 study population), and the control group (IR-, n = 30) consisted of individuals with HOMA-IR < 1.25 at baseline (lowest tertile). The groups were enriched for APOE epsilon 4 carriers, resulting in 50% (n = 15) APOE epsilon 4 carriers in both groups. Analyses were performed with multivariate logistic and linear regression. Results An amyloid-positive PET scan was found in 33.3% of the IR-group and 60.0% of the IR+ group (odds ratio 3.0, 95% confidence interval 1.1-8.9, p = 0.04). The increased risk was seen in carriers and noncarriers of APOE epsilon 4 genotype. Higher midlife, but not late-life continuous HOMA-IR was associated with a greater brain amyloid burden at follow-up after multivariate adjustments for other cognitive and metabolic risk factors (ss = 0.11, 95% confidence interval 0.002-0.22, p = 0.04). Conclusions These results indicate that midlife insulin resistance is an independent risk factor for brain amyloid accumulation in elderly individuals without dementia.
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16. |
- Engler, Henry, 1946-
(author)
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PET and the Multitracer Concept: An Approach to Neuroimaging Pathology
- 2008
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Patients suffering from different forms of neurodegenerative diseases, such as: Creutzfeldt Jacob Disease (CJD), Alzheimer disease (AD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), frontotemporal dementia and Parkinson’s disease (PD) were examined with Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and the combination of different radiotracers: 15O-water, N-[11C-methyl]-L-deuterodeprenyl (DED), [18F] 2-fluorodeoxyglucose: (FDG), N-methyl-[11C]2-(4-methylaminophenyl)-6-hydroxybenzothiazole (PIB) and L-[11C]-3,4-dihydroxiphenyl-alanine (DOPA). The radiotracers and the combinations of different radiotracers were selected with the intention to detect, in the brain, patterns of neuronal dysfunction, astrocytosis, axon degeneration or protein aggregation (amyloid), in the brain which are pathognomonic for specific diseases and may contribute to improve clinical differential diagnoses. Examinations in healthy volunteers were performed to allow comparisons with patients. In addition, animal studies were conducted to complement the information. In some cases, the PET findings could be compared with the results of autopsies.In contrast to the micropathology, in which only a limited part of a tissue (obtained post-mortem or by biopsy) is inspected, one PET acquisition provides an image of the whole system (e.g.: the brain and the cerebellum). This form of imaging pathology is “in vivo”, where the examination is innocuous for the patient. This thesis is an attempt to stimulate the development of new tracers, new tracer combinations and methods that directly or indirectly describe the anatomo-physiopathological changes produced in the brain in neurodegenerative diseases. A better description of different diseases can be obtained, confirming or questioning the clinical diagnoses and widening our understanding of the mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration. Different pathologies can produce similar symptoms and thus causing confusion regarding clinical diagnosis. The used PET combinations improved the accuracy of the diagnoses. The incipient knowledge emerging from a new neuroimaging pathology in combination with other disciplines may open the way to new classifications of dementias and neurodegenerative diseases based on an “in vivo” pathology.
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17. |
- Fukumoto, Noriko, et al.
(author)
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Sexually dimorphic effect of the Val66Met polymorphism of BDNF on susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease : New data and meta-analysis
- 2010
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In: American journal of medical genetics. Part B, Neuropsychiatric genetics. - : Wiley. - 1552-4841 .- 1552-485X. ; 153B:1, s. 235-242
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Conflicting results have been reported as to whether genetic variations (Val66Met and C270T) of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene (BDNF) confer susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease (AD). We genotyped these polymorphisms in a Japanese sample of 657 patients with AD and 525 controls, and obtained weak evidence of association for Val66Met (P = 0.063), but not for C270T. After stratification by sex, we found a significant allelic association between Val66Met and AD in women (P = 0.017), but not in men. To confirm these observations, we collected genotyping data for each sex from 16 research centers worldwide (4,711 patients and 4,537 controls in total). The meta-analysis revealed that there was a clear sex difference in the allelic association; the Met66 allele confers susceptibility to AD in women (odds ratio = 1.14, 95% CI 1.05-1.24, P = 0.002), but not in men. Our results provide evidence that the Met66 allele of BDNF has a sexually dimorphic effect on susceptibility to AD.
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18. |
- Golla, Sandeep S V, et al.
(author)
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Parametric Binding Images of the TSPO Ligand 18F-DPA-714.
- 2016
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In: Journal of Nuclear Medicine. - : Society of Nuclear Medicine. - 0161-5505 .- 1535-5667 .- 2159-662X. ; 57:10, s. 1543-1547
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- (18)F-labeled N,N-diethyl-2-(2-[4-(2-fluoroethoxy)phenyl]-5,7-dimethylpyrazolo[1,5-α]pyrimidine-3-yl)acetamide (DPA-714) is a radioligand for the 18-kDa translocator protein. The purpose of the present study was to identify the best method for generating quantitative parametric images of (18)F-DPA-714 binding.METHODS: Ninety-minute dynamic (18)F-DPA-714 PET scans with full arterial sampling from 6 healthy subjects and 9 Alzheimer disease (AD) patients were used. Plasma-input-based Logan graphical analysis and spectral analysis were used to generate parametric volume of distribution (VT) images. Five versions of Ichise, reference Logan, and 2 basis function implementations (receptor parametric mapping and simplified reference tissue model 2 [SRTM2]) of SRTM, all using gray matter cerebellum as the reference region, were applied to generate nondisplaceable binding potential (BPND) images.RESULTS: Plasma-input Logan analysis (r(2) = 0.99; slope, 0.88) and spectral analysis (r(2) = 0.99, slope, 0.93) generated estimates of VT that correlated well with values obtained using nonlinear regression. BPND values generated using SRTM2 (r(2) = 0.83; slope, 0.95) and reference Logan analysis (r(2) = 0.88; slope, 1.01) correlated well with nonlinear regression-based estimates.CONCLUSION: Both Logan analysis and spectral analysis can be used to obtain quantitatively accurate VT images of (18)F-DPA-714. In addition, SRTM2 and reference Logan analysis can provide accurate BPND images. These parametric images could be used for voxel-based comparisons.
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19. |
- Golla, Sandeep S V, et al.
(author)
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Quantification of [18F]DPA-714 binding in the human brain : initial studies in healthy controls and Alzheimer's disease patients
- 2015
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In: Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism. - : SAGE Publications. - 0271-678X .- 1559-7016. ; 35:5, s. 766-772
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Fluorine-18 labelled N,N-diethyl-2-(2-[4-(2-fluoroethoxy)phenyl]-5,7-dimethylpyrazolo[1,5-α]pyrimidine-3-yl)acetamide ([(18)F]DPA-714) binds to the 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) with high affinity. The aim of this initial methodological study was to develop a plasma input tracer kinetic model for quantification of [(18)F]DPA-714 binding in healthy subjects and Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, and to provide a preliminary assessment whether there is a disease-related signal. Ten AD patients and six healthy subjects underwent a dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) study along with arterial sampling and a scan protocol of 150 minutes after administration of 250 ± 10 MBq [(18)F]DPA-714. The model that provided the best fits to tissue time activity curves (TACs) was selected based on Akaike Information Criterion and F-test. The reversible two tissue compartment plasma input model with blood volume parameter was the preferred model for quantification of [(18)F]DPA-714 kinetics, irrespective of scan duration, volume of interest, and underlying volume of distribution (VT). Simplified reference tissue model (SRTM)-derived binding potential (BPND) using cerebellar gray matter as reference tissue correlated well with plasma input-based distribution volume ratio (DVR). These data suggest that [(18)F]DPA-714 cannot be used for separating individual AD patients from healthy subjects, but further studies including TSPO binding status are needed to substantiate these findings.
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20. |
- Gronholm-Nyman, Petra, et al.
(author)
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Limited Effects of Set Shifting Training in Healthy Older Adults
- 2017
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In: Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 1663-4365. ; 9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Our ability to flexibly shift between tasks or task sets declines in older age. As this decline may have adverse effects on everyday life of elderly people, it is of interest to study whether set shifting ability can be trained, and if training effects generalize to other cognitive tasks. Here, we report a randomized controlled trial where healthy older adults trained set shifting with three different set shifting tasks. The training group (n = 17) performed adaptive set shifting training for 5 weeks with three training sessions a week (45 min/session), while the active control group (n = 16) played three different computer games for the same period. Both groups underwent extensive pre-and post-testing and a 1-year follow-up. Compared to the controls, the training group showed significant improvements on the trained tasks. Evidence for near transfer in the training group was very limited, as it was seen only on overall accuracy on an untrained computerized set shifting task. No far transfer to other cognitive functions was observed. One year later, the training group was still better on the trained tasks but the single near transfer effect had vanished. The results suggest that computerized set shifting training in the elderly shows long-lasting effects on the trained tasks but very little benefit in terms of generalization.
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21. |
- Herukka, Sanna-Kaisa, et al.
(author)
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Amyloid-beta and Tau Dynamics in Human Brain Interstitial Fluid in Patients with Suspected Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
- 2015
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In: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. - 1387-2877 .- 1875-8908. ; 46:1, s. 261-269
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Amyloid-beta (A beta(1-42)), total tau (T-tau), and phosphorylated tau (P-tau(181)) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are the most promising biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Still, little is known about the dynamics of these molecules in the living brain. In a transgenic mouse brain, soluble A beta decreases with increasing age and advanced A beta pathology as seen similarly in CSF. Objective: To assess the relationship between AD-related pathological changes in human brain tissue, ventricular and lumbar CSF, and brain interstitial fluid (ISF). Methods: Altogether 11 patients with suspected idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus underwent frontal cortical brain biopsy, 24-h intraventricular pressure monitoring, and a microdialysis procedure. AD-related biomarkers were analyzed from brain tissue, CSF, and ISF. Results: ISF T-tau levels decreased strongly within the first 12 h, then plateauing until the end of the experiment. A beta(1-42) and P-tau(181) remained stable during the experiment (n = 3). T-tau and P-tau were higher in the ISF than in ventricular or lumbar CSF, while A beta(1-42) levels were within similar range in both CSF and ISF samples. ISF P-tau correlated with the ventricular CSF T-tau (r = 0.70, p = 0.017) and P-tau(181) (r = 0.64, p = 0.034). Five patients with amyloid pathology in the brain biopsy tended to reveal lower ISF A beta(1-42) levels than those six without amyloid pathology. Conclusions: This is the first study to report ISF A beta and tau levels in the human brain without significant brain injury. The set-up used enables sampling from the brain ISF for at least 24 h without causing adverse effects due to the microdialysis procedure to follow the dynamics of the key molecules in AD pathogenesis in the living brain at various stages of the disease.
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22. |
- Herukka, Sanna-Kaisa, et al.
(author)
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Recommendations for cerebrospinal fluid Alzheimer's disease biomarkers in the diagnostic evaluation of mild cognitive impairment.
- 2017
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In: Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association. - : Wiley. - 1552-5279. ; 13:3, s. 285-295
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This article presents recommendations, based on the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation method, for the clinical application of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid-β1-42, tau, and phosphorylated tau in the diagnostic evaluation of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The recommendations were developed by a multidisciplinary working group and based on the available evidence and consensus from focused group discussions for 1) prediction of clinical progression to Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia, 2) cost-effectiveness, 3) interpretation of results, and 4) patient counseling. The working group recommended using CSF AD biomarkers in the diagnostic workup of MCI patients, after prebiomarker counseling, as an add-on to clinical evaluation to predict functional decline or conversion to AD dementia and to guide disease management. Because of insufficient evidence, it was uncertain whether CSF AD biomarkers outperform imaging biomarkers. Furthermore, the working group provided recommendations for interpretation of ambiguous CSF biomarker results and for pre- and post-biomarker counseling.
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23. |
- Huertas-Hernando, Daniel, et al.
(author)
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Hydropower Flexibility for Power Systems with Variable Renewable Energy Sources: An IEA Task 25 Collaboration
- 2019
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In: Advances in Energy Systems. - : Wiley. ; , s. 385-405
-
Book chapter (other academic/artistic)abstract
- In order to effectively utilize hydro production flexibility, a sufficient amount of transmission capacity has to be available between the hydro-dominated part of the system and the part that requires operational flexibility. This chapter starts with a rough categorization of “base” hydropower flexibility, investigating the types of hydropower plants installed in power systems today. The “effective” hydropower flexibility available to support the integration of variable generation is a far more complex and case-specific aspect. It is discussed through national experiences. The chapter presents potential developments that would increase the participation of hydropower and discuss the ensuing challenges. Modeling a flow-based hydro system is a complex exercise, as is modeling the power system. Especially important is the correct assessment of hydropower flexibility to support power systems with a large share of variable generation (VG) and its value for storage. With increasing uncertainty and variability, a stochastic scheduling approach should yield lower costs.
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24. |
- Huttunen, Henri J., et al.
(author)
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Intraputamenal Cerebral Dopamine Neurotrophic Factor in Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Multicenter Phase 1 Trial
- 2023
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In: Movement Disorders. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0885-3185 .- 1531-8257. ; 38:7, s. 1209-1222
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF) is an unconventional neurotrophic factor that protects dopamine neurons and improves motor function in animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD). Objective: The primary objectives of this study were to assess the safety and tolerability of both CDNF and the drug delivery system (DDS) in patients with PD of moderate severity. Methods: We assessed the safety and tolerability of monthly intraputamenal CDNF infusions in patients with PD using an investigational DDS, a bone-anchored transcutaneous port connected to four catheters. This phase 1 trial was divided into a placebo-controlled, double-blind, 6-month main study followed by an active-treatment 6-month extension. Eligible patients, aged 35 to 75 years, had moderate idiopathic PD for 5 to 15 years and Hoehn and Yahr score ≤ 3 (off state). Seventeen patients were randomized to placebo (n = 6), 0.4 mg CDNF (n = 6), or 1.2 mg CDNF (n = 5). The primary endpoints were safety and tolerability of CDNF and DDS and catheter implantation accuracy. Secondary endpoints were measures of PD symptoms, including Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, and DDS patency and port stability. Exploratory endpoints included motor symptom assessment (PKG, Global Kinetics Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Australia) and positron emission tomography using dopamine transporter radioligand [18F]FE-PE2I. Results: Drug-related adverse events were mild to moderate with no difference between placebo and treatment groups. No severe adverse events were associated with the drug, and device delivery accuracy met specification. The severe adverse events recorded were associated with the infusion procedure and did not reoccur after procedural modification. There were no significant changes between placebo and CDNF treatment groups in secondary endpoints between baseline and the end of the main and extension studies. Conclusions: Intraputamenally administered CDNF was safe and well tolerated, and possible signs of biological response to the drug were observed in individual patients. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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25. |
- Jansen, Willemijn J, et al.
(author)
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Association of Cerebral Amyloid-β Aggregation With Cognitive Functioning in Persons Without Dementia.
- 2018
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In: JAMA psychiatry. - : American Medical Association (AMA). - 2168-6238 .- 2168-622X. ; 75:1, s. 84-95
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Cerebral amyloid-β aggregation is an early event in Alzheimer disease (AD). Understanding the association between amyloid aggregation and cognitive manifestation in persons without dementia is important for a better understanding of the course of AD and for the design of prevention trials.To investigate whether amyloid-β aggregation is associated with cognitive functioning in persons without dementia.This cross-sectional study included 2908 participants with normal cognition and 4133 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) from 53 studies in the multicenter Amyloid Biomarker Study. Normal cognition was defined as having no cognitive concerns for which medical help was sought and scores within the normal range on cognitive tests. Mild cognitive impairment was diagnosed according to published criteria. Study inclusion began in 2013 and is ongoing. Data analysis was performed in January 2017.Global cognitive performance as assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and episodic memory performance as assessed by a verbal word learning test. Amyloid aggregation was measured with positron emission tomography or cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers and dichotomized as negative (normal) or positive (abnormal) according to study-specific cutoffs. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine the association between amyloid aggregation and low cognitive scores (MMSE score ≤27 or memory z score≤-1.28) and to assess whether this association was moderated by age, sex, educational level, or apolipoprotein E genotype.Among 2908 persons with normal cognition (mean [SD] age, 67.4 [12.8] years), amyloid positivity was associated with low memory scores after age 70 years (mean difference in amyloid positive vs negative, 4% [95% CI, 0%-7%] at 72 years and 21% [95% CI, 10%-33%] at 90 years) but was not associated with low MMSE scores (mean difference, 3% [95% CI, -1% to 6%], P=.16). Among 4133 patients with MCI (mean [SD] age, 70.2 [8.5] years), amyloid positivity was associated with low memory (mean difference, 16% [95% CI, 12%-20%], P<.001) and low MMSE (mean difference, 14% [95% CI, 12%-17%], P<.001) scores, and this association decreased with age. Low cognitive scores had limited utility for screening of amyloid positivity in persons with normal cognition and those with MCI. In persons with normal cognition, the age-related increase in low memory score paralleled the age-related increase in amyloid positivity with an intervening period of 10 to 15 years.Although low memory scores are an early marker of amyloid positivity, their value as a screening measure for early AD among persons without dementia is limited.
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26. |
- Jansen, Willemijn J, et al.
(author)
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Prevalence Estimates of Amyloid Abnormality Across the Alzheimer Disease Clinical Spectrum.
- 2022
-
In: JAMA neurology. - : American Medical Association (AMA). - 2168-6157 .- 2168-6149. ; 79:3, s. 228-243
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- One characteristic histopathological event in Alzheimer disease (AD) is cerebral amyloid aggregation, which can be detected by biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and on positron emission tomography (PET) scans. Prevalence estimates of amyloid pathology are important for health care planning and clinical trial design.To estimate the prevalence of amyloid abnormality in persons with normal cognition, subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, or clinical AD dementia and to examine the potential implications of cutoff methods, biomarker modality (CSF or PET), age, sex, APOE genotype, educational level, geographical region, and dementia severity for these estimates.This cross-sectional, individual-participant pooled study included participants from 85 Amyloid Biomarker Study cohorts. Data collection was performed from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2020. Participants had normal cognition, subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, or clinical AD dementia. Normal cognition and subjective cognitive decline were defined by normal scores on cognitive tests, with the presence of cognitive complaints defining subjective cognitive decline. Mild cognitive impairment and clinical AD dementia were diagnosed according to published criteria.Alzheimer disease biomarkers detected on PET or in CSF.Amyloid measurements were dichotomized as normal or abnormal using cohort-provided cutoffs for CSF or PET or by visual reading for PET. Adjusted data-driven cutoffs for abnormal amyloid were calculated using gaussian mixture modeling. Prevalence of amyloid abnormality was estimated according to age, sex, cognitive status, biomarker modality, APOE carrier status, educational level, geographical location, and dementia severity using generalized estimating equations.Among the 19097 participants (mean [SD] age, 69.1 [9.8] years; 10148 women [53.1%]) included, 10139 (53.1%) underwent an amyloid PET scan and 8958 (46.9%) had an amyloid CSF measurement. Using cohort-provided cutoffs, amyloid abnormality prevalences were similar to 2015 estimates for individuals without dementia and were similar across PET- and CSF-based estimates (24%; 95% CI, 21%-28%) in participants with normal cognition, 27% (95% CI, 21%-33%) in participants with subjective cognitive decline, and 51% (95% CI, 46%-56%) in participants with mild cognitive impairment, whereas for clinical AD dementia the estimates were higher for PET than CSF (87% vs 79%; mean difference, 8%; 95% CI, 0%-16%; P=.04). Gaussian mixture modeling-based cutoffs for amyloid measures on PET scans were similar to cohort-provided cutoffs and were not adjusted. Adjusted CSF cutoffs resulted in a 10% higher amyloid abnormality prevalence than PET-based estimates in persons with normal cognition (mean difference, 9%; 95% CI, 3%-15%; P=.004), subjective cognitive decline (9%; 95% CI, 3%-15%; P=.005), and mild cognitive impairment (10%; 95% CI, 3%-17%; P=.004), whereas the estimates were comparable in persons with clinical AD dementia (mean difference, 4%; 95% CI, -2% to 9%; P=.18).This study found that CSF-based estimates using adjusted data-driven cutoffs were up to 10% higher than PET-based estimates in people without dementia, whereas the results were similar among people with dementia. This finding suggests that preclinical and prodromal AD may be more prevalent than previously estimated, which has important implications for clinical trial recruitment strategies and health care planning policies.
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27. |
- Jansen, Willemijn J, et al.
(author)
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Prevalence of cerebral amyloid pathology in persons without dementia: a meta-analysis.
- 2015
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In: JAMA. - : American Medical Association (AMA). - 1538-3598 .- 0098-7484. ; 313:19, s. 1924-38
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Cerebral amyloid-β aggregation is an early pathological event in Alzheimer disease (AD), starting decades before dementia onset. Estimates of the prevalence of amyloid pathology in persons without dementia are needed to understand the development of AD and to design prevention studies.
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28. |
- Kemppainen, Nina, et al.
(author)
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Brain amyloid load and its associations with cognition and vascular risk factors in FINGER Study
- 2018
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In: Neurology. - 0028-3878 .- 1526-632X. ; 90:3, s. E206-E213
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective To investigate brain amyloid pathology in a dementia-risk population defined as cardiovascular risk factors, aging, and dementia risk (CAIDE) score of at least 6 but with normal cognition and to examine associations between brain amyloid load and cognitive performance and vascular risk factors.Methods A subgroup of 48 individuals from the Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER) main study participated in brain C-11-Pittsburgh compound B (PiB)-PET imaging, brain MRI, and neuropsychological assessment at the beginning of the study. Lifestyle/vascular risk factors were determined as body mass index, blood pressure, total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and glucose homeostasis model assessment. White matter lesions were visually rated from MRIs by a semiquantitative Fazekas score.Results Twenty participants (42%) had a positive PiB-PET on visual analysis. The PiB-positive group performed worse in executive functioning tests, included more participants with APOE epsilon 4 allele (50%), and showed slightly better glucose homeostasis compared to PiB-negative participants. PiB-positive and -negative participants did not differ significantly in other cognitive domain scores or other vascular risk factors. There was no significant difference in Fazekas score between the PiB groups.Conclusions The high percentage of PiB-positive participants provides evidence of a successful recruitment process of the at-risk population in the main FINGER intervention trial. The results suggest a possible association between early brain amyloid accumulation and decline in executive functions. APOE epsilon 4 was clearly associated with amyloid positivity, but no other risk factor was found to be associated with positive PiB-PET.
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29. |
- Kiviluoma, Juha, et al.
(author)
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Spine Toolbox : A flexible open-source workflow management system with scenario and data management
- 2022
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In: SoftwareX. - : Elsevier BV. - 2352-7110. ; 17, s. 100967-100967
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Spine Toolbox is open-source software for defining, managing, simulating and optimising energy system models. It gives the user the ability to collect, create, organise, and validate model input data, execute a model with selected data and finally archive and visualise results/output data. Spine Toolbox has been designed and developed to support the creation and execution of multivector energy integration models. It conveniently facilitates the linking of models with different scopes, or spatio-temporal resolutions, through the user interface. The models can be organised as a direct acyclic graph and efficiently executed through the embedded workflow management engine. The software helps users to import and manage data, define models and scenarios and orchestrate projects. It supports a self-contained and shareable entity-relationship data structure for storing model parameter values and the associated data. The software is developed using the latest Python environment and supports the execution of plugins. It is shipped in an installation package as a desktop application for different operating systems.
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30. |
- Koivisto, Anne M, et al.
(author)
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Poor Cognitive Outcome in Shunt-Responsive Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
- 2013
-
In: Neurosurgery. - 0148-396X .- 1524-4040. ; 72:1, s. 1-8
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND:: Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) causes cognitive decline that can be alleviated by shunting, but long-term outcome studies are scarce. OBJECTIVE:: To elucidate the long-term cognitive condition of shunt-responsive iNPH patients. METHODS:: The follow-up data (Kuopio University Hospital NPH Registry) of 146 patients diagnosed with iNPH by clinical and radiological examination, 24-hour intraventricular pressure monitoring, frontal cortical biopsy, and response to the shunt were analyzed for signs of dementia. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, and specified memory disorder criteria were used. Median follow-up was 4.8 years. RESULTS:: At the end of follow-up, 117 (80%) of the 146 iNPH patients had cognitive decline and 67 (46%) had clinical dementia. The most common clinical diagnoses were Alzheimer disease and vascular dementia. In multivariate analysis of the 146 iNPH patients, memory deficit as a first symptom before shunt (odds ratio [OR] 18.3; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9-175), male sex (OR 3.29; 95% CI 1.11-9.73), age (OR 1.17 year; 95% CI 1.07-1.28), and follow-up time (OR 1.20 year; 95% CI 1.02-1.40) predicted dementia. Interestingly, 8 (5%) iNPH patients had dementia without any signs of other neurodegenerative diseases in clinical, neuroradiological, or brain biopsy evaluation. These patients initially presented a full triad of symptoms, with gait disturbance being the most frequent initial symptom followed by deterioration in cognition. CONCLUSION:: The novel findings were (a) a significant risk of dementia in iNPH initially responsive to cerebrospinal fluid shunt, (b) cognitive impairment most commonly due to iNPH-related dementia followed by concurrent degenerative brain disease, and (c) a subgroup with dementia related to iNPH without comorbidities. ABBREVIATIONS:: Aβ, amyloid betaAD, Alzheimer diseaseCI, confidence intervalHPτ, hyperphosphorylated tauICP, intracranial pressureiNPH, idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalusKUH, Kuopio University HospitalNPH, normal pressure hydrocephalusVaD, vascular dementia.
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31. |
- Konki, Mikko, et al.
(author)
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Peripheral blood DNA methylation differences in twin pairs discordant for Alzheimer's disease.
- 2019
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In: Clinical Epigenetics. - : BioMed Central. - 1868-7083 .- 1868-7075. ; 11:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease results from a neurodegenerative process that starts well before the diagnosis can be made. New prognostic or diagnostic markers enabling early intervention into the disease process would be highly valuable. Environmental and lifestyle factors largely modulate the disease risk and may influence the pathogenesis through epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation. As environmental and lifestyle factors may affect multiple tissues of the body, we hypothesized that the disease-associated DNA methylation signatures are detectable in the peripheral blood of discordant twin pairs.RESULTS: Comparison of 23 disease discordant Finnish twin pairs with reduced representation bisulfite sequencing revealed peripheral blood DNA methylation differences in 11 genomic regions with at least 15.0% median methylation difference and FDR adjusted p value ≤ 0.05. Several of the affected genes are primarily associated with neuronal functions and pathologies and do not display disease-associated differences in gene expression in blood. The DNA methylation mark in ADARB2 gene was found to be differentially methylated also in the anterior hippocampus, including entorhinal cortex, of non-twin cases and controls. Targeted bisulfite pyrosequencing of the DNA methylation mark in ADARB2 gene in 62 Finnish and Swedish twin pairs revealed that, in addition to the disease status, DNA methylation of this region is influenced by gender, age, zygosity, APOE genotype, and smoking. Further analysis of 120 Swedish twin pairs indicated that this specific DNA methylation mark is not predictive for Alzheimer's disease and becomes differentially methylated after disease onset.CONCLUSIONS: DNA methylation differences can be detected in the peripheral blood of twin pairs discordant for Alzheimer's disease. These DNA methylation signatures may have value as disease markers and provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis. We found no evidence that the DNA methylation marks would be associated with gene expression in blood. Further studies are needed to elucidate the potential importance of the associated genes in neuronal functions and to validate the prognostic or diagnostic value of the individual marks or marker panels.
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32. |
- Leinonen, Ville, et al.
(author)
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Amyloid and Tau Proteins in Cortical Brain Biopsy and Alzheimer's Disease
- 2010
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In: Annals of Neurology. - : Wiley. - 0364-5134 .- 1531-8249. ; 68:4, s. 446-453
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: Amyloid-beta(A beta) aggregates are presumed to be found in the brain at an early stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD) but have seldom been assessed by brain biopsy during life in often elderly patients. Methods: Between 1991 and 2006 we evaluated 468 patients with suspected normal pressure hydrocephalus with intraventricular pressure monitoring and a right frontal cortical biopsy sample immunostained for A beta and hyperphosphorylated tau (HP tau). Adequate samples and the clinical follow-up data until death or the end of 2008, available in 433 cases, were reviewed for the clinical signs of dementia, including AD. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze whether A beta and/or HP tau in the biopsy samples obtained during life predicted development of cognitive impairment, in particular, AD. Results: Of the 433 frontal cortical samples, 42 (10%) displayed both A beta and HP tau, 144 (33%) A beta only, and 247 (57%) neither A beta nor HP tau. In a median follow-up time of 4.4 years, 94 patients (22%) developed clinical AD. The presence of both A beta and HP tau was strongly associated (odds ratio [OR], 68.2; 95% confidence interval [Cl], 22.1-210) and A beta alone significantly associated (OR, 10.8; 95% Cl, 4.9-23.8) with the clinical diagnosis of AD. Interpretation: This is the largest follow-up study of patients assessed for the presence of A beta and HP tau in frontal cortical brain biopsy samples. 1) The presence of A beta and HP tau spoke strongly for the presence or later development of clinical AD; 2) A beta alone was suggestive of AD; and 3) the absence of A beta and HP tau spoke against a later clinical diagnosis of AD.
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33. |
- Leinonen, Ville, et al.
(author)
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Cortical Brain Biopsy in Long-Term Prognostication of 468 Patients with Possible Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
- 2012
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In: Neuro-degenerative diseases. - : S. Karger AG. - 1660-2862 .- 1660-2854. ; 10:1-4, s. 166-169
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) can be alleviated by cerebrospinal fluid shunting but the differential diagnosis and patient selection are challenging. Intraventricular intracranial pressure monitoring as part of the diagnostic workup as well as shunting enable to obtain cortical brain biopsies to detect amyloid-β (Aβ) and hyperphosphorylated tau (HPτ), the hallmark lesions of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In possible NPH, Aβ alone indicates an increased risk of AD and when present with HPτ probable AD, but the effect of those brain lesions on survival is not known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of brain biopsy for the long-term outcome of possible NPH. Between 1991 and 2006, the Neurosurgery Department of the Kuopio University Hospital evaluated 468 patients for possible NPH by intraventricular intracranial pressure monitoring and frontal cortical brain biopsy immunostained against Aβ and HPτ. All patients were followed up until the end of 2008 (n = 201) or death (n = 267) with a median follow-up of 4.6 years (range 0-17). Logistic regression analysis with Cox models was applied. Out of the 468 cases, Aβ was detected in 197 (42%) cortical biopsies, and together with HPτ in 44 (9%). Aβ alone indicated increased risk of AD and with HPτ probable AD, but it did not affect survival. Vascular aetiology was the most frequent cause of death. Cortical biopsy findings indicate that NPH is at present a heterogeneous syndrome and has notable overlapping with AD. Brain biopsy did not predict survival but may open a novel research window to study the pathobiology of neurodegeneration.
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34. |
- Leinonen, Ville, et al.
(author)
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Diagnostic effectiveness of quantitative [¹⁸F]flutemetamol PET imaging for detection of fibrillar amyloid β using cortical biopsy histopathology as the standard of truth in subjects with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus.
- 2014
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In: Acta neuropathologica communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2051-5960. ; 2, s. 46-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: PET imaging of amyloid-β (Aβ) in vivo holds promise for aiding in earlier diagnosis and intervention in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment. AD-like Aβ pathology is a common comorbidity in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). Fifty patients with iNPH needing ventriculo-peritoneal shunting or intracranial pressure monitoring underwent [18F]flutemetamol PET before (N = 28) or after (N = 22) surgery. Cortical uptake of [18F]flutemetamol was assessed visually by blinded reviewers, and also quantitatively via standard uptake value ratio (SUVR) in specific neocortical regions in relation to either cerebellum or pons reference region: the cerebral cortex of (prospective studies) or surrounding (retrospective studies) the biopsy site, the contralateral homolog, and a calculated composite brain measure. Aβ pathology in the biopsy specimen (standard of truth [SoT]) was measured using Bielschowsky silver and thioflavin S plaque scores, percentage area of grey matter positive for monoclonal antibody to Aβ (4G8), and overall pathology impression. We set out to find (1) which pair(s) of PET SUVR and pathology SoT endpoints matched best, (2) whether quantitative measures of [18F]flutemetamol PET were better for predicting the pathology outcome than blinded image examination (BIE), and (3) whether there was a better match between PET image findings in retrospective vs. prospective studies.RESULTS: Of the 24 possible endpoint/SoT combinations, the one with composite-cerebellum SUVR and SoT based on overall pathology had the highest Youden index (1.000), receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (1.000), sensitivity (1.000), specificity (1.000), and sum of sensitivity and specificity for the pooled data as well as for the retrospective and prospective studies separately (2.00, for all 3). The BIE sum of sensitivity and specificity, comparable to that for quantitation, was highest using Bielschowsky silver as SoT for all SUVRs (ipsilateral, contralateral, and composite, for both reference regions). The composite SUVR had a 100% positive predictive value (both reference regions) for the overall pathology diagnosis. All SUVRs had a 100% negative predictive value for the Bielschowsky silver result.CONCLUSION: Bielschowsky silver stain and overall pathology judgment showed the strongest associations with imaging results.
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35. |
- Leuzy, Antoine, et al.
(author)
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Pittsburgh compound B imaging and cerebrospinal fluid amyloid-β in a multicentre European memory clinic study.
- 2016
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In: Brain : a journal of neurology. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1460-2156. ; 139:Pt 9, s. 2540-53
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this study was to assess the agreement between data on cerebral amyloidosis, derived using Pittsburgh compound B positron emission tomography and (i) multi-laboratory INNOTEST enzyme linked immunosorbent assay derived cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of amyloid-β42; (ii) centrally measured cerebrospinal fluid amyloid-β42 using a Meso Scale Discovery enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; and (iii) cerebrospinal fluid amyloid-β42 centrally measured using an antibody-independent mass spectrometry-based reference method. Moreover, we examined the hypothesis that discordance between amyloid biomarker measurements may be due to interindividual differences in total amyloid-β production, by using the ratio of amyloid-β42 to amyloid-β40 Our study population consisted of 243 subjects from seven centres belonging to the Biomarkers for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease Initiative, and included subjects with normal cognition and patients with mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and vascular dementia. All had Pittsburgh compound B positron emission tomography data, cerebrospinal fluid INNOTEST amyloid-β42 values, and cerebrospinal fluid samples available for reanalysis. Cerebrospinal fluid samples were reanalysed (amyloid-β42 and amyloid-β40) using Meso Scale Discovery electrochemiluminescence enzyme linked immunosorbent assay technology, and a novel, antibody-independent, mass spectrometry reference method. Pittsburgh compound B standardized uptake value ratio results were scaled using the Centiloid method. Concordance between Meso Scale Discovery/mass spectrometry reference measurement procedure findings and Pittsburgh compound B was high in subjects with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease, while more variable results were observed for cognitively normal and non-Alzheimer's disease groups. Agreement between Pittsburgh compound B classification and Meso Scale Discovery/mass spectrometry reference measurement procedure findings was further improved when using amyloid-β42/40 Agreement between Pittsburgh compound B visual ratings and Centiloids was near complete. Despite improved agreement between Pittsburgh compound B and centrally analysed cerebrospinal fluid, a minority of subjects showed discordant findings. While future studies are needed, our results suggest that amyloid biomarker results may not be interchangeable in some individuals.
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36. |
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37. |
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38. |
- Mattsson, Niklas, et al.
(author)
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Prevalence of the apolipoprotein E epsilon 4 allele in amyloid beta positive subjects across the spectrum of Alzheimers disease
- 2018
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In: Alzheimer's & Dementia. - : ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC. - 1552-5260 .- 1552-5279. ; 14:7, s. 913-924
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Apolipoprotein E (APOE) epsilon 4 is the major genetic risk factor for Alzheimers disease (AD), but its prevalence is unclear because earlier studies did not require biomarker evidence of amyloid beta(A beta) pathology. Methods: We included 3451 A beta+ subjects (853 AD-type dementia, 1810 mild cognitive impairment, and 788 cognitively normal). Generalized estimating equation models were used to assess APOE epsilon 4 prevalence in relation to age, sex, education, and geographical location. Results: The APOE epsilon 4 prevalence was 66% in AD-type dementia, 64% in mild cognitive impairment, and 51% in cognitively normal, and it decreased with advancing age in A beta+ cognitively normal and A beta+ mild cognitive impairment (P amp;lt;.05) but not in A beta+ AD dementia (P =.66). The prevalence was highest in Northern Europe but did not vary by sex or education. Discussion: The APOE E4 prevalence in AD was higher than that in previous studies, which did not require presence of A beta pathology. Furthermore, our results highlight disease heterogeneity related to age and geographical location. (C) 2018 the Alzheimers Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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39. |
- Mattsson, Niklas, et al.
(author)
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Prevalence of the apolipoprotein E ε4 allele in amyloid β positive subjects across the spectrum of Alzheimer's disease
- 2018
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In: Alzheimer's and Dementia. - : Wiley. - 1552-5260 .- 1552-5279. ; 14:7, s. 913-924
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 is the major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), but its prevalence is unclear because earlier studies did not require biomarker evidence of amyloid β (Aβ) pathology. Methods: We included 3451 Aβ+ subjects (853 AD-type dementia, 1810 mild cognitive impairment, and 788 cognitively normal). Generalized estimating equation models were used to assess APOE ε4 prevalence in relation to age, sex, education, and geographical location. Results: The APOE ε4 prevalence was 66% in AD-type dementia, 64% in mild cognitive impairment, and 51% in cognitively normal, and it decreased with advancing age in Aβ+ cognitively normal and Aβ+ mild cognitive impairment (P <.05) but not in Aβ+ AD dementia (P =.66). The prevalence was highest in Northern Europe but did not vary by sex or education. Discussion: The APOE ε4 prevalence in AD was higher than that in previous studies, which did not require presence of Aβ pathology. Furthermore, our results highlight disease heterogeneity related to age and geographical location.
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40. |
- Nordberg, Agneta, et al.
(author)
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A European multicentre PET study of fibrillar amyloid in Alzheimer's disease
- 2013
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In: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1619-7070 .- 1619-7089. ; 40:1, s. 104-114
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Amyloid PET tracers have been developed for in vivo detection of brain fibrillar amyloid deposition in Alzheimer's disease (AD). To serve as an early biomarker in AD the amyloid PET tracers need to be analysed in multicentre clinical studies. In this study 238 [C-11]Pittsburgh compound-B (PIB) datasets from five different European centres were pooled. Of these 238 datasets, 18 were excluded, leaving [C-11]PIB datasets from 97 patients with clinically diagnosed AD (mean age 69 +/- 8 years), 72 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI; mean age 67.5 +/- 8 years) and 51 healthy controls (mean age 67.4 +/- 6 years) available for analysis. Of the MCI patients, 64 were longitudinally followed for 28 +/- 15 months. Most participants (175 out of 220) were also tested for apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotype. [C-11]PIB retention in the neocortical and subcortical brain regions was significantly higher in AD patients than in age-matched controls. Intermediate [C-11]PIB retention was observed in MCI patients, with a bimodal distribution (64 % MCI PIB-positive and 36 % MCI PIB-negative), which was significantly different the pattern in both the AD patients and controls. Higher [C-11]PIB retention was observed in MCI ApoE epsilon 4 carriers compared to non-ApoE epsilon 4 carriers (p < 0.005). Of the MCI PIB-positive patients, 67 % had converted to AD at follow-up while none of the MCI PIB-negative patients converted. This study demonstrated the robustness of [C-11]PIB PET as a marker of neocortical fibrillar amyloid deposition in brain when assessed in a multicentre setting. MCI PIB-positive patients showed more severe memory impairment than MCI PIB-negative patients and progressed to AD at an estimated rate of 25 % per year. None of the MCI PIB-negative patients converted to AD, and thus PIB negativity had a 100 % negative predictive value for progression to AD. This supports the notion that PIB-positive scans in MCI patients are an indicator of prodromal AD.
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41. |
- Nordberg, Agneta, et al.
(author)
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The use of PET in Alzheimer disease
- 2010
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In: Nature Reviews Neurology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1759-4758 .- 1759-4766. ; 6:2, s. 78-87
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In Alzheimer disease (AD), which is the most common cause of dementia, the underlying disease pathology most probably precedes the onset of cognitive symptoms by many years. Thus, efforts are underway to find early diagnostic markers as well as disease-modifying treatments for this disorder. PET enables various brain systems to be monitored in living individuals. In patients with AD, PET can be used to investigate changes in cerebral glucose metabolism, various neurotransmitter systems, neuroinflammation, and the protein aggregates that are characteristic of the disease, notably the amyloid deposits. These investigations are helping to further our understanding of the complex pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie AD, as well as aiding the early and differential diagnosis of the disease in the clinic. In the future, PET studies will also be useful for identifying new therapeutic targets and monitoring treatment outcomes. Amyloid imaging could be useful as early diagnostic marker of AD and for selecting patients for anti-amyloid-beta therapy, while cerebral glucose metabolism could be a suitable PET marker for monitoring disease progression. For the near future, multitracer PET studies are unlikely to be used routinely in the clinic for AD, being both burdensome and expensive; however, such studies are very informative in a research context.
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42. |
- Pekkala, Timo, et al.
(author)
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Association of Peripheral Insulin Resistance and Other Markers of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Brain Amyloid Deposition in Healthy Individuals at Risk of Dementia
- 2020
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In: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. - 1387-2877 .- 1875-8908. ; 76:4, s. 1243-1248
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We explored the association of type 2 diabetes related blood markers with brain amyloid accumulation on PiB-PET scans in 41 participants from the FINGER PET sub-study. We built logistic regression models for brain amyloid status with12 plasma markers of glucose and lipid metabolism, controlled for diabetes and APOE ɛ4 carrier status. Lower levels of insulin, insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), C-peptide, and plasminogen activator (PAI-1) were associated with amyloid positive status, although the results were not significant after adjusting for multiple testing. None of the models found evidence for associations between amyloid status and fasting glucose or HbA1c.
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43. |
- Petrescu, Ana Maria Roxana, et al.
(author)
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The uncertain climate footprint of wetlands under human pressure
- 2015
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In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - : Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - 1091-6490 .- 0027-8424. ; 112:15, s. 4594-4599
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Significant climate risks are associated with a positive carbon-temperature feedback in northern latitude carbon-rich ecosystems, making an accurate analysis of human impacts on the net greenhouse gas balance of wetlands a priority. Here, we provide a coherent assessment of the climate footprint of a network of wetland sites based on simultaneous and quasi-continuous ecosystem observations of CO2 and CH4 fluxes. Experimental areas are located both in natural and in managed wetlands and cover a wide range of climatic regions, ecosystem types, and management practices. Based on direct observations we predict that sustained CH4 emissions in natural ecosystems are in the long term (i.e., several centuries) typically offset by CO2 uptake, although with large spatiotemporal variability. Using a space-for-time analogy across ecological and climatic gradients, we represent the chronosequence from natural to managed conditions to quantify the "cost" of CH4 emissions for the benefit of net carbon sequestration. With a sustained pulse-response radiative forcing model, we found a significant increase in atmospheric forcing due to land management, in particular for wetland converted to cropland. Our results quantify the role of human activities on the climate footprint of northern wetlands and call for development of active mitigation strategies for managed wetlands and new guidelines of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) accounting for both sustained CH4 emissions and cumulative CO2 exchange.
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44. |
- Rauhala, Elina, et al.
(author)
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Change in brain amyloid load and cognition in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment : a 3-year follow-up study
- 2022
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In: EJNMMI Research. - : Springer. - 2191-219X. ; 12:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Our aim was to investigate the discriminative value of 18F-Flutemetamol PET in longitudinal assessment of amyloid beta accumulation in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) patients, in relation to longitudinal cognitive changes.Methods: We investigated the change in 18F-Flutemetamol uptake and cognitive impairment in aMCI patients over time up to 3 years which enabled us to investigate possible association between changes in brain amyloid load and cognition over time. Thirty-four patients with aMCI (mean age 73.4 years, SD 6.6) were examined with 18F-Flutemetamol PET scan, brain MRI and cognitive tests at baseline and after 3-year follow-up or earlier if the patient had converted to Alzheimer´s disease (AD). 18F-Flutemetamol data were analyzed both with automated region-of-interest analysis and voxel-based statistical parametric mapping.Results: 18F-flutemetamol uptake increased during the follow-up, and the increase was significantly higher in patients who were amyloid positive at baseline as compared to the amyloid-negative ones. At follow-up, there was a significant association between 18F-Flutemetamol uptake and MMSE, logical memory I (immediate recall), logical memory II (delayed recall) and verbal fluency. An association was seen between the increase in 18F-Flutemetamol uptake and decline in MMSE and logical memory I scores.Conclusions: In the early phase of aMCI, presence of amyloid pathology at baseline strongly predicted amyloid accumulation during follow-up, which was further paralleled by cognitive declines. Inversely, some of our patients remained amyloid negative also at the end of the study without significant change in 18F-Flutemetamol uptake or cognition. Future studies with longer follow-up are needed to distinguish whether the underlying pathophysiology of aMCI in such patients is other than AD.
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45. |
- Rinne, Juha O, et al.
(author)
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11C-PiB PET assessment of change in fibrillar amyloid-beta load in patients with Alzheimer's disease treated with bapineuzumab: a phase 2, double-blind, placebo-controlled, ascending-dose study.
- 2010
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In: Lancet neurology. - 1474-4465. ; 9:4, s. 363-72
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Carbon-11-labelled Pittsburgh compound B ((11)C-PiB) PET is a marker of cortical fibrillar amyloid-beta load in vivo. We used (11)C-PiB PET to investigate whether bapineuzumab, a humanised anti-amyloid-beta monoclonal antibody, would reduce cortical fibrillar amyloid-beta load in patients with Alzheimer's disease. METHODS: Patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease were randomly assigned to receive intravenous bapineuzumab or placebo in a ratio of seven to three in three ascending dose groups (0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 mg/kg). Each dose group was enrolled after safety review of the previous group. Randomisation was by interactive voice response system; masking was achieved with numbered kit allocation. Patients, investigators, study site personnel, sponsor staff, and carers were masked to treatment. Patients received up to six infusions, 13 weeks apart, and had (11)C-PiB PET scans at baseline and at weeks 20, 45, and 78. The primary outcome was the difference between the pooled bapineuzumab group and the pooled placebo group in mean change from screening to week 78 in (11)C-PiB cortical to cerebellar retention ratio averaged across six cortical regions of interest. Analysis was by modified intention to treat. This study is registered with EudraCT, number 2004-004120-12; ISRCTN17517446. FINDINGS: 28 patients were assigned to bapineuzumab (n=20) or placebo (n=8). 19 patients in the bapineuzumab group and seven in the placebo group were included in the modified intention-to-treat analysis. Estimated mean (11)C-PiB retention ratio change from baseline to week 78 was -0.09 (95% CI -0.16 to -0.02; p=0.014) in the bapineuzumab group and 0.15 (95% CI 0.02 to 0.28; p=0.022) in the placebo group. Estimated mean difference in (11)C-PiB retention ratio change from baseline to week 78 between the bapineuzumab group and the placebo group was -0.24 (95% CI -0.39 to -0.09; p=0.003). Differences between the bapineuzumab group and the placebo group in the individual regions of interest were similar to the overall mean difference. Adverse events were typically mild to moderate in severity and transient. Two patients in the 2.0 mg/kg bapineuzumab group had transient cerebral vasogenic oedema. INTERPRETATION: Treatment with bapineuzumab for 78 weeks reduced cortical (11)C-PiB retention compared with both baseline and placebo. (11)C-PiB PET seems to be useful in assessing the effects of potential Alzheimer's disease treatments on cortical fibrillar amyloid-beta load in vivo. FUNDING: Elan Pharmaceuticals and Wyeth Research.
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46. |
- Roslin, Tomas, et al.
(author)
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A molecular-based identification resource for the arthropods of Finland
- 2022
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In: Molecular Ecology Resources. - : Wiley. - 1755-098X .- 1755-0998. ; 22:2, s. 803-822
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- To associate specimens identified by molecular characters to other biological knowledge, we need reference sequences annotated by Linnaean taxonomy. In this study, we (1) report the creation of a comprehensive reference library of DNA barcodes for the arthropods of an entire country (Finland), (2) publish this library, and (3) deliver a new identification tool for insects and spiders, as based on this resource. The reference library contains mtDNA COI barcodes for 11,275 (43%) of 26,437 arthropod species known from Finland, including 10,811 (45%) of 23,956 insect species. To quantify the improvement in identification accuracy enabled by the current reference library, we ran 1000 Finnish insect and spider species through the Barcode of Life Data system (BOLD) identification engine. Of these, 91% were correctly assigned to a unique species when compared to the new reference library alone, 85% were correctly identified when compared to BOLD with the new material included, and 75% with the new material excluded. To capitalize on this resource, we used the new reference material to train a probabilistic taxonomic assignment tool, FinPROTAX, scoring high success. For the full-length barcode region, the accuracy of taxonomic assignments at the level of classes, orders, families, subfamilies, tribes, genera, and species reached 99.9%, 99.9%, 99.8%, 99.7%, 99.4%, 96.8%, and 88.5%, respectively. The FinBOL arthropod reference library and FinPROTAX are available through the Finnish Biodiversity Information Facility (www.laji.fi) at https://laji.fi/en/theme/protax. Overall, the FinBOL investment represents a massive capacity-transfer from the taxonomic community of Finland to all sectors of society.
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47. |
- Rydstrom, Anders, et al.
(author)
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The role of brain integrity in the association between occupational complexity and cognitive performance in subjects with increased risk of dementia
- 2023
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In: Gerontology. - : S. Karger. - 0304-324X .- 1423-0003. ; 69:8, s. 972-985
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Mechanisms underlying the positive association between occupational mental demands and late-life cognition are poorly understood. The objective of this study was to assess whether the association between occupational complexity and cognition is related to and moderated by brain integrity in individuals at-risk for dementia. Brain integrity was appraised throughout structural measures (Magnetic Resonance Imaging, MRI) and amyloid accumulation (Pittsburgh Compound B (PiB)-positron emission tomography, PiB-PET).Methods: Participants from the Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER) neuroimaging sample -MRI (N=126), PiB-PET (N=41)- were included in a post-hoc cross-sectional analysis. Neuroimaging parameters comprised the Alzheimer ' s Disease signature cortical thickness (ADS, Freesurfer 5.3), medial temporal atrophy (MTA), and amyloid accumulation (PiB-PET). Cognition was assessed using the Neuropsychological Test Battery. Occupational complexity with data, people, and substantive complexity were classified through the Dictionary of Occupational Titles. Linear regression models included cognition as dependent variable, occupational complexity, measures of brain integrity, and their interaction terms as predictors.Results: Occupational complexity with data and substantive complexity were associated with better cognition (overall cognition, executive function) when adjusting for ADS and MTA (independent association). Significant interaction effects between occupational complexity and brain integrity were also found, indicating that, for some indicators of brain integrity and cognition (e.g., overall cognition, processing speed), the positive association between occupational complexity and cognition occurred only among persons with higher brain integrity (moderated association).Conclusion: Among individuals at-risk for dementia, occupational complexity does not seem to contribute towards resilience against neuropathology. These exploratory findings require validation in larger populations.
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48. |
- Räsänen, Matti, et al.
(author)
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Carbon balance of a grazed savanna grassland ecosystem in South Africa
- 2017
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In: Biogeosciences. - : Copernicus GmbH. - 1726-4170 .- 1726-4189. ; 14:5, s. 1039-1054
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Tropical savannas and grasslands are estimated to contribute significantly to the total primary production of all terrestrial vegetation. Large parts of African savannas and grasslands are used for agriculture and cattle grazing, but the carbon flux data available from these areas are limited. This study explores carbon dioxide fluxes measured with the eddy covariance method for 3 years at a grazed savanna grassland in Welgegund, South Africa. The tree cover around the measurement site, grazed by cattle and sheep, was around 15 %. The night-time respiration was not significantly dependent on either soil moisture or soil temperature on a weekly temporal scale, whereas on an annual timescale higher respiration rates were observed when soil temperatures were higher. The carbon dioxide balances of the years 2010-2011, 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 were-85 ± 16, 67 ± 20 and 139 ± 13 gC m-2yr-1, respectively. The yearly variation was largely determined by the changes in the early wet season fluxes (September to November) and in the mid-growing season fluxes (December to January). Early rainfall enhanced the respiratory capacity of the ecosystem throughout the year, whereas during the mid-growing season high rainfall resulted in high carbon uptake.
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49. |
- Räsänen, Matti, et al.
(author)
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The effect of rainfall amount and timing on annual transpiration in a grazed savanna grassland
- 2022
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In: Hydrology and Earth System Sciences. - : Copernicus GmbH. - 1027-5606 .- 1607-7938. ; 26:22, s. 5773-5791
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The role of precipitation (P) variability with respect to evapotranspiration (ET) and its two components, transpiration (T) and evaporation (E), from savannas continues to draw significant research interest given its relevance to a number of ecohydrological applications. Our study reports on 6 years of measured ET and estimated T and E from a grazed savanna grassland at Welgegund, South Africa. Annual P varied significantly with respect to amount (508 to 672 mm yr-1), with dry years characterized by infrequent early-season rainfall. T was determined using annual water-use efficiency and gross primary production estimates derived from eddy-covariance measurements of latent heat flux and net ecosystem CO2 exchange rates. The computed annual T for the 4 wet years with frequent early wet-season rainfall was nearly constant, 326±19 mm yr-1 (T/ET=0.51), but was lower and more variable between the 2 dry years (255 and 154 mm yr-1, respectively). Annual T and T/ET were linearly related to the early wet-season storm frequency. The constancy of annual T during wet years is explained by the moderate water stress of C4 grasses as well as trees' ability to use water from deeper layers. During extreme drought, grasses respond to water availability with a dieback-regrowth pattern, reducing leaf area and transpiration and, thus, increasing the proportion of transpiration contributed by trees. The works suggest that the early-season P distribution explains the interannual variability in T, which should be considered when managing grazing and fodder production in these grasslands.
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50. |
- Simonsen, Anja Hviid, et al.
(author)
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Recommendations for CSF AD biomarkers in the diagnostic evaluationof dementia.
- 2017
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In: Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association. - : Wiley. - 1552-5279. ; 13:3, s. 274-284
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This article presents recommendations, based on the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation method, for the clinical application of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid-β1-42, tau, and phosphorylated tau in the diagnostic evaluation of patients with dementia. The recommendations were developed by a multidisciplinary working group based on the available evidence and consensus from focused discussions for (i) identification of Alzheimer's disease (AD) as the cause of dementia, (ii) prediction of rate of decline, (iii) cost-effectiveness, and (iv) interpretation of results. The working group found sufficient evidence to support a recommendation to use CSF AD biomarkers as a supplement to clinical evaluation, particularly in uncertain and atypical cases, to identify or exclude AD as the cause of dementia. Because of insufficient evidence, it was uncertain whether CSF AD biomarkers outperform imaging biomarkers. Operational recommendations for the interpretation of ambiguous CSF biomarker results were also provided.
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