Googling Alzheimer Disease: An Infodemiological and Ecological Study

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Understanding the emergent role of the internet on the health-seeking behavior of people is critical not only in the areas of medicine and public health but also in the field of infodemiology. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Using Google Trends, data on global search queries for Alzheimer disease (AD) between January 2004 and April 2021 were analyzed. The relationship between online interest, as reflected by search volume index (SVI), and measures of disease burden, namely prevalence, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years, was evaluated. <b><i>Results:</i></b> There was a reduction in the tendency to search for AD during the past two decades. SVI peaks corresponded to news of famous people with AD and awareness months. Symptoms, causes, and differences with the term dementia were central queries for persons interested in AD. No notable overall correlation between SVI and measures of disease burden was found due to competing results. Sub-group analyses, however, showed that these correlations may be influenced by socioeconomic development, with strong negative significant associations observed in lower middle-income countries. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Online interest in AD may represent a more complex metric influenced by socioeconomic factors. Awareness of the impact of celebrity diagnosis and awareness months on online search behavior may prove useful in the planning of public health campaigns for AD.

A Review of Functional Neuroimaging in People with Down Syndrome with and without Dementia

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) are at high risk of dementia which is difficult to diagnose in DS. Neuroimaging has been identified as a potential tool to aid diagnosis by detecting changes in brain function. We carried out a review comparing functional neuroimaging in DS individuals with and without dementia. <b><i>Summary:</i></b> A literature search was conducted using PubMed to identify relevant studies. In DS subjects with dementia, fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (PET) studies showed glucose hypometabolism particularly in the parietal and/or temporal regions whilst magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies showed increased myoinositol and decreased N-acetylaspartate. Ligand-based PET studies revealed significant Pittsburgh compound B binding in DS subjects over the age of 40, particularly if they had dementia. <b><i>Key Messages:</i></b> Neuroimaging may aid the early detection of dementia in DS; however, further longitudinal studies are required.

Translation, Cross-Cultural Adaptation, and Validation of the Portuguese Version of the Rotterdam Elderly Pain Observation Scale

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> This study reports on the translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of a Portuguese version of the Rotterdam Elderly Pain Observation Scale (REPOS), a Dutch scale to assess pain in patients who cannot communicate, with or without dementia. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This is a multicenter study in pain and neurological units involving Brazil (clinical phase) and the Netherlands (training phase). We performed a retrospective cross-sectional, 2-staged analysis, translating and culturally adapting the REPOS to a Portuguese version (REPOS-P) and evaluating its psychometric properties. Eight health professionals were trained to observe patients with low back pain. REPOS consists of 10 behavioral items scored as present or absent after a 2-min observation. The REPOS score of ≥3 in combination with the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) of ≥4 indicated pain. The Content Validity Index (CVI) in all items and instructions showed CVI values at their maximum. According to the higher correlation coefficient found between NRS and REPOS-P, it may be suggested that there was an adequate convergent validity. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The REPOS-P was administered to 80 patients with a mean age of 60 years (SD 11.5). Cronbach’s alpha coefficient showed a moderate internal consistency of REPOS-P (α = 0.62), which is compatible with the original study of REPOS. All health professionals reached high levels of interrater agreement within a median of 10 weeks of training, assuring reproducibility. Cohen’s kappa was 0.96 (SD 0.03), and the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.98 (SD 0.02), showing high reliability of REPOS-P scores between the trainer (researcher) and the trainees (healthcare professionals). The Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.95 (95% confidence interval 0.94–0.97), showing a significant correlation between the total scores of REPOS-P and NRS. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The REPOS-P was a valuable scale for assessing elderly patients with low back pain by different healthcare professionals. Short application time, ease of use, clear instructions, and the brief training required for application were essential characteristics of REPOS-P.

Prediction of Postoperative Delirium after Gastrointestinal Surgery Using the Mie Constructional Apraxia Scale

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Postoperative delirium (POD) is a transient postoperative complication that occurs after surgical procedures. Risk factors reported for POD include dementia and cognitive decline. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of POD by examining the use of preoperative neuropsychological tests, including the Mie Constructional Apraxia Scale (MCAS), and patient background factors. <b><i>Method:</i></b> The study was performed as a retrospective cohort study. The subjects were 33 patients (mean age, 75.8 ± 10.9 years; male:female ratio, 26:7) who underwent gastrointestinal surgery at Matsusaka City Hospital between December 2019 and April 2021. Data were collected retrospectively from medical records. The study was started after receiving approval from the institution’s ethics committee. The survey items included general patient information, nutritional assessment, surgical information, and neuropsychological tests. Subjects were classified into 2 groups according to the presence or absence of POD. If a significant difference was observed between the 2 groups, the sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve were calculated using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. <b><i>Result:</i></b> There were 10 patients in the POD group (male:female ratio, 6:4) and 23 patients in the non-POD group (20:3). The POD group had a shorter education history (<i>p</i> = 0.047) and significantly higher MCAS scores (<i>p</i> = 0.007) than the non-POD group. The ROC curve showed a sensitivity of 90%, a specificity of 69%, and an area under the curve of 0.798 when the MCAS cutoff value was set at 3 points. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Preoperative MCAS results were capable of predicting the occurrence of POD after gastrointestinal surgery. In addition, a relatively short education background was also considered a risk factor for POD.

One-Year Change in Locus of Control among People with Dementia

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Knowledge of how perceptions of personal control change over time may provide valuable insights into how people cope with having dementia. The present study aimed to examine change in locus of control over a 12-month period in persons with dementia. <b><i>Method:</i></b> The study included 52 participants with dementia. Locus of control was measured with the Locus of Control of Behavior Scale (LoCB), with higher scores indicating a more external locus of control, interpreted as perceiving less personal control. A ≥5% change on the LoCB was considered clinically meaningful. We recorded sociodemographic characteristics and assessed dementia severity, cognition, ability to function independently in daily activities and physical self-maintenance, depressive symptomatology, and number of prescribed medications. Analyses were performed to examine differences between those with increases (more external) or decreases (less external) in the LoCB score after 12 months and to examine associations between baseline variables and change in the LoCB score. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The mean LoCB score for the total sample did not change after 12 months (baseline mean 29.33 vs. follow-up mean 30.33, <i>p</i> = 0.553); however, 2 subgroups emerged. Using the ≥5% cutoff revealed that the LoCB score changed for 92.3% of the sample, becoming less external (lower LoCB) for 21 participants and more external (higher LoCB) for 27 participants. At baseline, the mean LoBC score was higher in the group that became less external (33.81 vs. 24.56), <i>p</i> = 0.006, while this was reverse at follow-up (23.57 vs. 34.41), <i>p</i> = 0.001. Dementia severity and dependence in physical self-maintenance increased during the 12 months in both groups. Among those becoming more external, we also found a decline in cognition (<i>p</i> = 0.002), an increase in dependence in daily activities (<i>p</i> = 0.003), an increase in the use of prescribed medication, and a decrease in depressive symptomatology (<i>p</i> = 0.003). The baseline LoCB score was the only variable associated with 12-month change in LoCB scores (<i>p</i> = 0.001). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Most participants showed a clinically meaningful change in locus of control after 12 months. Those with more signs of dementia progression reported a decrease in personal control but also a decrease in depressive symptoms. These findings are interesting for our understanding of coping but must be replicated with a larger sample.

Effectiveness and Safety of Aromatherapy in Managing Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) is the most prominent and distressing manifestation for older persons with dementia (PWD) and caregivers. Aromatherapy has demonstrated its effectiveness in managing BPSD in various studies. However, previous studies and systematic reviews have obtained inconsistent findings, and a review of qualitative studies is yet to be conducted. <b><i>Method:</i></b> A mixed-methods systematic review with a convergent segregated approach was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of aromatherapy in improving the BPSD and quality of life (QoL) of PWD and in relieving the distress and burden of caregivers, as well as its safety for PWD. Both published and unpublished quantitative and qualitative studies written in English and Chinese between January 1996 and December 2020 were retrieved from 28 databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science, based on the prespecified criteria. The methodological quality was assessed by using critical appraisal tools from the Joanna Briggs Institute. Quantitative synthesis, qualitative synthesis, and integration of quantitative and qualitative evidence were performed. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 12 randomized controlled trials, 10 quasi-experimental studies, and 2 qualitative studies were included in the review. Some inconsistent findings regarding the effectiveness of aromatherapy in reducing the severity of BPSD were observed. Some studies reported that aromatherapy significantly improved the QoL of PWD and relieved the distress and burden of caregivers, promoted a positive experience among caregivers, and had very low adverse effects on PWD (with aromatherapy inhalation reporting no adverse effects). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Aromatherapy, especially in the inhalation approach, could be a potentially safe and effective strategy for managing BPSD. However, more structuralized and comparable studies with sufficient sample size, adherence monitoring, and sound theoretical basis could be conducted to obtain conclusive findings.

Impact of Plasma Donepezil Concentration on Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease

<b><i>Background/Aims:</i></b> The behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) detract from the quality of life of not only dementia patients but also their family members and caregivers. Donepezil is used to treat Alzheimer’s disease and is metabolized via cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 and CYP3A4/5. It is controversial whether donepezil improves or exacerbates BPSD. This study investigated the relationships among BPSD, the pharmacokinetics of donepezil including its metabolite, 6-O-desmethyl donepezil, genetic polymorphisms of CYPs and P-glycoprotein, and patient backgrounds in 52 patients with Alzheimer’s disease. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> BPSD were assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), with scores ≥20 points defined as severe BPSD. Plasma donepezil and 6-O-desmethyl donepezil concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Although significant relationships between NPI scores and plasma donepezil concentrations were not seen, none of the 15 patients (29%) with high plasma donepezil concentrations (≥60 ng/mL) developed severe BPSD. Polymorphisms of <i>CYP2D6</i>, <i>CYP3A5</i>, and <i>ABCB1</i> did not influence NPI scores. There were no significant relationships between NPI and patient background factors such as dosing regimen, concomitant use of other drugs, or laboratory test results. Two patients who underwent multiple blood samplings over 2 years showed an inverse correlation between plasma donepezil concentrations and NPI scores. <b><i>Discussion/Conclusions:</i></b> These results indicate that higher plasma concentrations of donepezil contribute to preventing or alleviating rather than developing or deteriorating BPSD.

A Survey of Dementia Knowledge and Recognition of Dementia Prevention and Practice in Healthy Older Adults

<b><i>Aim:</i></b> The aim of this study was to investigate the level of dementia knowledge and behaviors recognized as dementia-preventive and the practice thereof among healthy older adults who are highly motivated to engage in activities. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The participants were older adults registered at the Silver Human Resource Center of city A, and participants anonymously filled questionnaires through the aggregation method in January 2020. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The analysis included 78 participants (the effective response rate was 49.7%). All participants were aware of at least 4 dementia-preventive behaviors, and about 80% of all participants practiced at least 1 preventive behavior. Approximately 20% of participants were not practicing preventive behaviors at all. The elderly aged 65 to 74 years had more knowledge about dementia and more types of behavior perceived as dementia-preventive than the elderly aged 75 years and older. There was no significant correlation between the level of dementia knowledge and the number of types of dementia-preventive behaviors. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Healthy older adults were aware of numerous behaviors for dementia prevention, and most older adults practiced preventive behaviors. In contrast, even with a high amount of knowledge about dementia, a small number of healthy older adults did not translate this knowledge into preventative behavioral practices. High levels of dementia knowledge do not translate into preventive behavioral practices.

What Are the Key Points of Treatment for Cases of Mild Cognitive Impairment? Based on the Evaluation of Cognitive Function Tasks in the ADASJcog

<b><i>Background/Aims:</i></b> The aims of this study were to identify the degree of atrophy of the hippocampus in image findings and which cognitive function items should be focused on when treating mild cognitive impairment. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A total of 66 cases with mild cognitive impairment were included in the study over a 1.5-year observation period. MR images were used to assess hippocampal atrophy, and cognitive function was assessed by the ADASJcog test. <b><i>Results:</i></b> In the mild dementia group, there was a hierarchical difference in the 4 cognitive impairments in which each degree was significantly higher hierarchically. In the normally improved group, memory and act dysfunction was significantly improved, and in deteriorated cases, memory, orientation, and act dysfunction increased significantly. The normally improved group tended to have lighter hippocampal atrophy than the deteriorating group. <b><i>Discussion:</i></b> In early treatment of mild cognitive impairment, it is important to focus on which cognitive items to treat, but there are no reports that present them numerically. Because it is not clear, there may be a risk that dementia may progress due to stunned treatment. It became clear that it was meaningful to show it, and it was the orientation and act function. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> It was suggested that hippocampal atrophy should be kept within the normal range and that the key treatment was mainly to improve memory and act dysfunction without reducing orientation function.

Short- and Long-Term Functional Connectivity Differences Associated with Alzheimer’s Disease Progression

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Progression of amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a clinical event with highly variable progression rates varying from 10–15% up to 30–34%. Functional connectivity (FC), the temporal similarity between spatially remote neurophysiological events, has previously been reported to differ between aMCI patients who progress to AD (pMCI) and those who do not (i.e., remain stable; sMCI). However, these reports had a short-term follow-up and do not provide insight into long-term AD progression. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Seventy-nine participants with a baseline and 78 with a 12-month, 51 with a 24-month, and 22 with a +48-month follow-up resting-state fMRI with aMCI diagnosis from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative database were included. FC was assessed using the CONN toolbox. Local correlation and group independent component analysis were utilized to compare regional functional coupling and between-network FC, respectively, between sMCI and pMCI groups. Two-sample <i>t</i> tests were used to test for statistically significant differences between groups, and paired <i>t</i>-tests were used to assess cognitive changes over time. <b><i>Results:</i></b> All participants (i.e., 66 sMCI and 19 pMCI) had a baseline and a year follow-up fMRI scan. Progression from aMCI to AD occurred in 19 patients (10 at 12 months, 5 at 24 months, and 4 at &#x3e;48 months), while 73 MCI patients remained cognitively stable (sMCI). The pMCI and sMCI cognitive profiles were different. More between-network FC than regional functional coupling differences were present between sMCI and pMCI patients. Activation in the salience network (SN) and the default mode network (DMN) was consistently different between sMCI and pMCI patients across time. <b><i>Discussion:</i></b> sMCI and pMCI patients have different cognitive and FC profiles. Only pMCI patients showed cognitive differences across time. The DMN and SN showed local correlation and between-network FC differences between the sMCI and pMCI patient groups at multiple moments in time.