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Autoantibodies against proteins in the brain are increasingly considered as a potential cause of cognitive decline, not only in subacute autoimmune encephalopathies but also in slowly progressing impairment of memory in patients with classical neurodegenerative dementias. In this retrospective cohort study of 161 well-characterized patients with different forms of dementia and 34 controls, we determined the prevalence of immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgA autoantibodies to brain proteins using unbiased immunofluorescence staining of unfixed murine brain sections. Autoantibodies were detected in 21.1% of dementia patients and in 2.9% of gender-matched controls, with higher frequencies in vascular dementia (42%), Alzheimer's disease (30%), dementia of unknown cause (25%), and subjective cognitive impairment (16.7%). Underlying antigens involved glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), glycine receptor, and Rho GTPase activating protein 26 (ARHGAP26), but also a range of yet undetermined epitopes on neurons, myelinated fiber tracts, choroid plexus, glial cells, and blood vessels. Antibody-positive patients were younger than antibody-negative patients but did not differ in the extent of cognitive impairment, epidemiological and clinical factors, or comorbidities. Further research is needed to understand the potential contribution to disease progression and symptomatology, and to determine the antigenic targets of dementia-associated autoantibodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Autoantibodies against proteins in the brain are increasingly considered as a potential cause of cognitive decline, not only in subacute autoimmune encephalopathies but also in slowly progressing impairment of memory in patients with classical neurodegenerative dementias. In this retrospective cohort study of 161 well-characterized patients with different forms of dementia and 34 controls, we determined the prevalence of immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgA autoantibodies to brain proteins using unbiased immunofluorescence staining of unfixed murine brain sections. Autoantibodies were detected in 21.1% of dementia patients and in 2.9% of gender-matched controls, with higher frequencies in vascular dementia (42%), Alzheimer’s disease (30%), dementia of unknown cause (25%), and subjective cognitive impairment (16.7%). Underlying antigens involved glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), glycine receptor, and Rho GTPase activating protein 26 (ARHGAP26), but also a range of yet undetermined epitopes on neurons, myelinated fiber tracts, choroid plexus, glial cells, and blood vessels. Antibody-positive patients were younger than antibody-negative patients but did not differ in the extent of cognitive impairment, epidemiological and clinical factors, or comorbidities. Further research is needed to understand the potential contribution to disease progression and symptomatology, and to determine the antigenic targets of dementia-associated autoantibodies.

Copyright of Lege Artis Medicine (LAM) is the property of LifeTime Media Kft. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The incidence and prevalence of age‐related neurodegenerative dementias have been increasing. There is no curative therapy and conventional drug treatment can cause problems for patients. Medicinal plants traditionally used for problems associated with ageing are emerging as a therapeutic resource. The main aim is to give a proposal for use and future research based on scientific knowledge and tradition. A literature search was conducted in several searchable databases. The keywords used were related to neurodegenerative dementias, ageing and medicinal plants. Boolean operators and filters were used to focus the search. As a result, there is current clinical and preclinical scientific information on 49 species used in traditional medicine for ageing‐related problems, including neurodegenerative dementias. There are preclinical and clinical scientific evidences on their properties against protein aggregates in the central nervous system and their effects on neuroinflammation, apoptosis dysregulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, gabaergic, glutamatergic and dopaminergic systems alterations, monoamine oxidase alterations, serotonin depletion and oestrogenic protection. In conclusion, the potential therapeutic effect of the different medicinal plants depends on the type of neurodegenerative dementia and its stage of development, but more clinical and preclinical research is needed to find better, safer and more effective treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dried and ripe fruits of Alpinia oxyphylla and ripe fruits of Alpinia oxyphylla Miquel (AO) have the effects of tonifying kidney-essence and nourishing intelligence and thus have been widely used in treating dementia. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a typical form of neurodegenerative dementia with kidney-essence deficiency in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). So far, there is a lack of systematic studies on the biological basis of tonifying kidney-essence and nourishing intelligence and the corresponding phytochemicals. In this study, we investigated the targets of AO in tonifying kidney-essence and nourishing intelligence based on the key pathophysiological processes of neurodegenerative dementia. According to ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry data and Lipinski's rule of five, 49 bioactive phytochemicals from AO were identified, and 26 of them were found to target 168 key molecules in the treatment of neurodegenerative dementia. Nine phytochemicals of AO were shown to target acetylcholinesterase (ACHE), and 19 phytochemicals were shown to target butyrylcholinesterase (BCHE). A database of neurodegenerative dementia with kidney-essence deficiency involving 731 genes was constructed. Furthermore, yakuchinone B, 5-hydroxy-1,7-bis (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) heptan-3-one (5-HYD), oxyhylladiketone, oxyphyllacinol, butyl-b-D-fructopyranoside, dibutyl phthalate, chrysin, yakuchinone A, rhamnetin, and rhamnocitrin were identified as the key phytochemicals from AO that regulate the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative dementia in a multitargeted manner. The approach of studying the pharmacological mechanism underlying the effects of medicinal plants and the biological basis of TCM syndrome may be helpful in studying the translation of TCM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Increased plasma YKL-40 has been reported in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but its levels in other neurodegenerative diseases are unknown. Here, we aimed to investigate plasma YKL-40 in the spectrum of neurodegenerative dementias. Methods YKL-40 was quantified in the plasma of 315 cases, including healthy controls (HC), neurological disease controls (ND), AD, vascular dementia (VaD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and Lewy body dementia (LBD). Diagnostic accuracy in the differential diagnostic context and influence of age and gender was assessed. Results Highest YKL-40 levels were detected in CJD, followed by LBD, VaD, AD, FTD, ND and HC. YKL-40 was associated to age but not to sex. After controlling for age, YKL-40 was significantly elevated in CJD compared to HC (p

Background: Differential diagnosis of neurodegenerative dementia is currently supported by biomarkers including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests. Among them, CSF total-tau (t-tau), phosphorylated tau (p-tau) and β-amyloid42 (Aβ42) are considered core biomarkers of neurodegeneration. In the present work, we hypothesize that simultaneous assessment of these biomarkers together with CSF α-synuclein (α-syn) will significantly improve the differential diagnostic of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. To that aim, we characterized the analytical and clinical performance of a new tetra-plex immunoassay that simultaneously quantifies CSF Aβ42, t-tau, p-tau and α-syn in the differential diagnosis of neurodegenerative dementia. Methods: Biomarkers' concentrations were measured in neurological controls (n = 38), Alzheimer's disease (n = 35), Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (n = 37), vascular dementia (n = 28), dementia with Lewy bodies/Parkinson's disease dementia (n = 27) and frontotemporal dementia (n = 34) using the new tetra-plex assay and established single-plex assays. Biomarker's performance was evaluated and diagnostic accuracy in the discrimination of diagnostic groups was determined using partial least squares discriminant analysis. Results: The tetra-plex assay presented accuracies similar to individual single-plex assays with acceptable analytical performance. Significant correlations were observed between tetra-plex and single-plex assays. Using partial least squares discriminant analysis, Alzheimer's disease and Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease were well differentiated, reaching high accuracies in the discrimination from the rest of diagnostic groups. Conclusions: The new tetra-plex assay coupled with multivariate analytical approaches becomes a valuable asset for the differential diagnosis of neurodegenerative dementia and related applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: In the search for blood‐based biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases, we characterized the concentration of total prion protein (t‐PrP) in the plasma of neurodegenerative dementias. We aimed to assess its accuracy in this differential diagnostic context. Methods: Plasma t‐PrP was measured in 520 individuals including healthy controls (HC) and patients diagnosed with neurological disease control (ND), Alzheimer's disease (AD), sporadic Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease (sCJD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Lewy body dementia (LBD) and vascular dementia (VaD). Additionally, t‐PrP was quantified in genetic prion diseases and iatrogenic CJD. The accuracy of t‐PrP discriminating the diagnostic groups was evaluated and correlated with demographic, genetic and clinical data in prion diseases. Markers of blood‐brain barrier impairment were investigated in sCJD brains. Results: Compared to HC and ND, elevated plasma t‐PrP concentrations were detected in sCJD, followed by FTD, AD, VaD and LBD. In sCJD, t‐PrP was associated neither with age nor sex, but with codon 129 PRNP genotype. Plasma t‐PrP concentrations correlated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers of neuro‐axonal damage, but not with CSF t‐PrP. In genetic prion diseases, plasma t‐PrP was elevated in all type of mutations investigated. In sCJD brain tissue, extravasation of immunoglobulin G and the presence of swollen astrocytic end‐feet around the vessels suggested leakage of blood‐brain barrier as a potential source of increased plasma t‐PrP. Conclusions: Plasma t‐PrP is elevated in prion diseases regardless of aetiology. This pilot study opens the possibility to consider plasma t‐PrP as a promising blood‐based biomarker in the diagnostic of prion disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a risk factor for developing dementia later in life has been a subject of debate and controversy. TBI has been found to be associated with an increased likelihood for developing dementia 10–30 years later in several retrospective studies using population records. However, understanding the link between TBI and dementia requires looking beyond calculated risk estimates and delving into the association TBI has with pathological changes seen in Alzheimer's disease and related conditions, as well as those seen in normal aging. Some individuals with TBI, notably those with more serious injuries, show evidence of AD-related pathological changes, such as tau aggregates, at a much earlier age than healthy older individuals without a history of TBI. This would suggest that some people may be more susceptible to the effects of TBI, accumulating additional pathological changes seen in Alzheimer disease and related conditions, which may synergistically and/or cumulatively interact with factors associated with aging. The strongest support to date suggests that TBI may confer an increased risk for earlier onset of neurodegenerative changes in some individuals, possibly as a function of an accumulation of additional pathological changes. While there appears to be a link between TBI and the development of dementia in group studies, the evidence to date does not suggest an association between TBI and progressive cognitive decline during normal aging nor a greater rate of decline in those with dementia. Thus, there remains much to be learned about the pathophysiology of this apparent relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: One of the main challenges of integrated PET/MR is to achieve an accurate PET attenuation correction (AC), especially in brain acquisition. Here, we evaluated an AC method based on zero echo time (ZTE) MRI, comparing it with the single-atlas AC method and CT-based AC, set as reference.Methods: Fifty patients (70 ± 11 years old, 28 men) underwent FDG-PET/MR examination (SIGNA PET/MR 3.0 T, GE Healthcare) as part of the investigation of suspected dementia. They all had brain computed tomography (CT), 2-point LAVA-flex MRI (for atlas-based AC), and ZTE-MRI. Two AC methods were compared with CT-based AC (CTAC): one based on a single atlas, one based on ZTE segmentation. Impact on brain metabolism was evaluated using voxel and volumes of interest-based analyses. The impact of AC was also evaluated through comparisons between two subgroups of patients extracted from the whole population: 15 patients with mild cognitive impairment and normal metabolic pattern, and 22 others with metabolic pattern suggestive of Alzheimer disease, using SPM12 software.Results: ZTE-AC yielded a lower bias (3.6 ± 3.2%) than the atlas method (4.5 ± 6.1%) and lowest interindividual (4.6% versus 6.8%) and inter-regional (1.4% versus 2.6%) variabilities. Atlas-AC resulted in metabolism overestimation in cortical regions near the vertex and cerebellum underestimation. ZTE-AC yielded a moderate metabolic underestimation mainly in the occipital cortex and cerebellum. Voxel-wise comparison between the two subgroups of patients showed that significant difference clusters had a slightly smaller size but similar locations with PET images corrected with ZTE-AC compared with those corrected with CT, whereas atlas-AC images showed a notable reduction of significant voxels.Conclusion: ZTE-AC performed better than atlas-AC in detecting pathologic areas in suspected neurodegenerative dementia.Key Points: • The ZTE-based AC improved the accuracy of the metabolism quantification in PET compared with the atlas-AC method. • The overall uptake bias was 21% lower when using ZTE-based AC compared with the atlas-AC method. • ZTE-AC performed better than atlas-AC in detecting pathologic areas in suspected neurodegenerative dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Frontotemporal dementia disorders (FTDs) are heterogeneous phenotypical behavioral and language disorders usually associated with frontal and/or temporal lobe degeneration. We investigated their incidence in a population‐based cohort. Methods: Using a records‐linkage system, we identified all patients with a diagnostic code for dementia in Olmsted County, MN, 1995–2010, and confirmed the diagnosis of FTD. A behavioral neurologist verified the clinical diagnosis and determined phenotypes. Results: We identified 35 FTDs cases. Overall, the incidence of FTDs was 4.3/100,000/year (95% CI: 2.9, 5.7). Incidence was higher in men (6.3/100,000, 95% CI 3.6, 9.0) than women (2.9/100,000; 95% CI: 1.3, 4.5); we observed an increased trend over time (B = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.54, 1.11, P <.001). At autopsy, clinical diagnosis was confirmed in eight (72.7%) cases. Discussion: We observed an increased incidence and trends of FTDs over time. This may reflect a better recognition by clinicians and improvement of clinical criteria and diagnostic tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Cognitive, behavioural, and functional assessment is crucial in longitudinal studies of neurodegenerative dementias (NDD). Central issues, such as the definition of the study population (asymptomatic, at risk, or individuals with dementia), the detection of change/decline, and the assessment of relevant outcomes depend on quantitative measures of cognitive, behavioural, and functional status. Currently, we are far from having available reliable protocols and tools for the assessment of dementias in Europe. The main problems are the heterogeneity of the tools used across different European countries, the lack of standardisation of administration and scoring methods across centres, and the limited information available about the psychometric properties of many tests currently in widespread use. This situation makes it hard to compare results across studies carried out in different centres, thus hampering research progress, in particular towards the contribution to a “big data” common data set. We present here the results of a project funded by the Joint Program for Neurodegenerative Diseases (JPND) and by the Italian Ministry of Health. The project aimed at providing a consensus framework for the harmonisation of assessment tools to be applied to research in neurodegenerative disorders affecting cognition across Europe. A panel of European experts reviewed the current methods of neuropsychological assessment, identified pending issues, and made recommendations for the harmonisation of neuropsychological assessment of neurodegenerative dementias in Europe. A consensus was achieved on the general recommendations to be followed in developing procedures and tools for neuropsychological assessment, with the aim of harmonising tools and procedures to achieve more reliable data on the cognitive-behavioural examination. The results of this study should be considered as a first step to enhancing a common view and practise on NDD assessment across European countries.

• 42 trials including 8249 participants are enrolled in our meta-analysis. • A traditional and net meta-analysis was performed to test the diagnostic value of NfL. • NfL increases in all kinds of neurodegenerative disease compared to healthy controls. • NfL in CSF and blood differentiates neurodegenerative dementia from healthy controls. • NfL concentration is ranked among neurodegenerative dementia using cluster analysis. The diagnostic value of neurofilament light chain protein in neurodegenerative dementia diseases is still controversial. A systematic literature search was performed to identify relevant case-control studies conducted through October 2018. Traditional and net meta-analyses were performed based on 42 studies that tested the diagnostic performance of neurofilament light chain protein (NfL) concentration in CSF and serum/plasma from patients with neurodegenerative dementia. CSF and serum/plasma NfL levels were significantly increased in patients with neurodegenerative dementia diseases. Network meta-analysis showed a significant reduction in CSF NfL levels during mild cognitive impairment, whereas an increase was observed in vascular dementia compared to Alzheimer's disease. Surface under the cumulative ranking curve and cluster analysis showed that the NfL concentration in CSF (vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and Alzheimer's disease) and serum/plasma (frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's disease) ranked first among neurodegenerative dementia diseases. NfL is an important biomarker that can help clinical neurologists make early diagnoses of neurodegenerative diseases, so patients can receive prompt treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prion diseases are progressive neurodegenerative disorders affecting humans and other mammalian species. The term prion, originally put forward to propose the concept that a protein could be infectious, refers to PrPSc, a misfolded isoform of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) that represents the pathogenetic hallmark of these disorders. The discovery that other proteins characterized by misfolding and seeded aggregation can spread from cell to cell, similarly to PrPSc, has increased interest in prion diseases. Among neurodegenerative disorders, however, prion diseases distinguish themselves for the broader phenotypic spectrum, the fastest disease progression and the existence of infectious forms that can be transmitted through the exposure to diseased tissues via ingestion, injection or transplantation. The main clinicopathological phenotypes of human prion disease include Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease, by far the most common, fatal insomnia, variably protease‐sensitive prionopathy, and Gerstmann–Sträussler–Scheinker disease. However, clinicopathological manifestations extend even beyond those predicted by this classification. Because of their transmissibility, the phenotypic diversity of prion diseases can also be propagated into syngenic hosts as prion strains with distinct characteristics, such as incubation period, pattern of PrPSc distribution and regional severity of histopathological changes in the brain. Increasing evidence indicates that different PrPSc conformers, forming distinct ordered aggregates, encipher the phenotypic variants related to prion strains. In this review, we summarize the most recent advances concerning the histo‐molecular pathology of human prion disease focusing on the phenotypic spectrum of the disease including co‐pathologies, the characterization of prion strains by experimental transmission and their correlation with the physicochemical properties of PrPSc aggregates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of studies report the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in patients taking statins, but the results are inconsistent. (1) Background: The present study investigated the cross-sectional association between previous statin use and the risk of AD development in Korean residents. (2) Methods: We used the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort; 17,172 AD patients were matched by age, gender, income, and region of residence with 68,688 control participants at a ratio of 1:4. We used a multiple conditional logistic regression model to analyse the association between the number of days of statin use and AD occurrence. Further analyses were performed to identify whether this association is maintained for different ages, genders, socioeconomic status groups, and covariates. (3) Results: The odds ratio, which was adjusted for potential confounders, for the days of statin use per year in the AD group compared to the control group was 0.95 (95% confidence interval = 0.92–0.98; p = 0.003). The number of days of statin use in the AD group was significantly smaller in the subgroups of non-smokers and individuals with normal weight, alcohol consumption less than once a week, total cholesterol level below 200 mg/dL, systolic blood pressure below 140, diastolic blood pressure below 90, and fasting blood glucose below 100 mg/dL. (4) Conclusions: Our results suggest that statin use prevents the occurrence of AD. The effects of statin use in preventing AD may be greater in individuals at relatively low risk.

Hybrid PET/MR imaging offers a unique opportunity to acquire MR imaging and PET information during a single imaging session. PET/MR imaging has numerous advantages, including enhanced diagnostic accuracy, improved disease characterization, and better treatment planning and monitoring. It enables the immediate integration of anatomic, functional, and metabolic imaging information, allowing for personalized characterization and monitoring of neurologic diseases. This review presents recent advances in PET/MR imaging and highlights advantages in clinical practice for neuro-oncology, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative disorders. PET/MR imaging provides valuable information about brain tumor metabolism, perfusion, and anatomic features, aiding in accurate delineation, treatment response assessment, and prognostication., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are substantial regulators of learning and memory and might be involved in neurodegeneration. It is known that MMPs are involved in pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and are particularly involved in the amyloid-β processing pathway. However, information on circulating levels of these proteins and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) in AD and other neurodegenerative dementia (ND) diseases such as dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is not clear. Therefore, this study was directed toward finding out how plasma levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 vary in AD, DLB, and FTD; and investigating the correlation of the levels of MMPs and their inhibitors with clinical parameters of the patients. MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 levels were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Plasma MMP-2 levels were significantly lower in all the patient groups than in the age-matched healthy controls (HCs) (p < 0.05). MMP-9 levels were significantly lower in the FTD patients than in the HCs (p < 0.05). Also, TIMP-1 levels were lower in the AD and FTD patients than in the HCs (p < 0.05). TIMP-2 levels were similar in all the groups. These findings highlight the importance of circulating MMPs in ND and suggest that MMPs and their inhibitors might play a role in impaired amyloid-β peptide metabolism which is responsible for the genesis and progression of ND. Furthermore, measurement of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and their inhibitors may be of great importance for large scale basic research and clinical studies of ND. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The aim of this study was to describe the regional profiles of microglial activation in sporadic Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease (sCJD) subtypes and analyse the influence of prion strain, disease duration and codon 129 genotype. Methods: We studied the amount/severity and distribution of activated microglia, protease‐resistant prion protein (PrPSc) spongiform change, and astrogliosis in eight regions of 57 brains, representative of the entire spectrum of sCJD subtypes. Results: In each individual subtype, the regional extent and distribution of microgliosis significantly correlated with PrPSc deposition and spongiform change, leading to subtype‐specific ‘lesion profiles’. However, large differences in the ratio between PrPSc load or the score of spongiform change and microglial activation were seen among disease subtypes. Most significantly, atypical sCJD subtypes such as VV1 and MM2T showed a degree of microglial activation comparable to other disease variants despite the relatively low PrPSc deposition and the less severe spongiform change. Moreover, the mean microglial total load was significantly higher in subtype MM1 than in MM2C, whereas the opposite was true for the PrPSc and spongiform change total loads. Finally, some sCJD subtypes showed distinctive regional cerebellar profiles of microgliosis characterized by a high granular/molecular layer ratio (MV2K) and/or a predominant involvement of white matter (MVK and MM2T). Conclusions: Microglial activation is an early event in sCJD pathogenesis and is strongly influenced by prion strain, PRNP codon 129 genotype and disease duration. Microglial lesion profiling, by highlighting strain‐specific properties of prions, contributes to prion strain characterization and classification of human prion diseases, and represents a valid support to molecular and histopathologic typing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of prion RT-QuIC, an ultrasensitive specific assay for the in vivo detection of the abnormal prion protein, has significantly increased the potential for an early and accurate clinical diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). However, in the clinical setting, the early identification of patients with possible CJD is often challenging. Indeed, CJD patients may present with isolated symptoms that remain the only clinical manifestation for some time, or with neurological syndromes atypical for CJD. To enhance awareness of unusual disease presentations and promote earlier diagnosis, we reviewed the entire spectrum of atypical early manifestations of CJD, mainly reported to date as case descriptions or small case series. They included sensory either visual or auditory disturbances, seizures, isolated psychiatric manifestations, atypical parkinsonian syndromes (corticobasal syndrome, progressive supranuclear palsy-like), pseudobulbar syndrome, isolated involuntary movements (dystonia, myoclonus, chorea, blepharospasm), acute or subacute onsets mimicking a stroke, isolated aphasia, and neuropathy. Since CJD is a rare disease and its clinical course rapidly progressive, an in-depth understanding and awareness of early clinical features are mandatory to enhance the overall diagnostic accuracy in its very early stages and to recruit optimal candidates for future therapeutic trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of characteristic clinical feature is essential in differential diagnosis of dementia. Early social behavioral disinhibition, frontal syndrome among other clinical signs of dementia, together with frontal and temporal uni- or bilateral cerebral atrophy findings lead us to diagnose morbus Pick. Pick's disease is the most frequent and known frontotemporal dementia (FTD) of the group of frontotemporal lobar degenerations. Clinical consideration towards probable Pick's disease is based on typical behavioral features, CT scan finding and dynamics of illness progress according to revised diagnostic criteria for the behavioural variant of FTD. Moreover, there is discussed new classification of frontotemporal dementia in upcomming ICD-11. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive, behavioural, and functional assessment is crucial in longitudinal studies of neurodegenerative dementias (NDD). Central issues, such as the definition of the study population (asymptomatic, at risk, or individuals with dementia), the detection of change/decline, and the assessment of relevant outcomes depend on quantitative measures of cognitive, behavioural, and functional status. Currently, we are far from having available reliable protocols and tools for the assessment of dementias in Europe. The main problems are the heterogeneity of the tools used across different European countries, the lack of standardisation of administration and scoring methods across centres, and the limited information available about the psychometric properties of many tests currently in widespread use. This situation makes it hard to compare results across studies carried out in different centres, thus hampering research progress, in particular towards the contribution to a “big data” common data set. We present here the results of a project funded by the Joint Program for Neurodegenerative Diseases (JPND) and by the Italian Ministry of Health. The project aimed at providing a consensus framework for the harmonisation of assessment tools to be applied to research in neurodegenerative disorders affecting cognition across Europe. A panel of European experts reviewed the current methods of neuropsychological assessment, identified pending issues, and made recommendations for the harmonisation of neuropsychological assessment of neurodegenerative dementias in Europe. A consensus was achieved on the general recommendations to be followed in developing procedures and tools for neuropsychological assessment, with the aim of harmonising tools and procedures to achieve more reliable data on the cognitive-behavioural examination. The results of this study should be considered as a first step to enhancing a common view and practise on NDD assessment across European countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Stroke is an important risk factor for dementia, but the exact mechanism involved in cognitive decline remains unclear.Methods: Patients were divided into 2 groups: poststroke dementia group (PSD) and poststroke nondementia group (PSND). Variables and neuroradiological hallmarks were compared between 2 groups at 3 months (114 subjects) and 1 year (105 subjects) after stroke.Results: Older age (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.0-1.2; P < .05), education (OR .6, 95% CI .4-.8; P < .05), prestroke IQCODE (Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly; OR .78, 95% CI .1-5.9; P < .05), premorbid apathy (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.1-3.7; P < .05), and medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTLA) (OR 6.14, 95% CI 1.4-26.2; P < .05) were independently associated with PSD at 3 months after a cerebrovascular event, whereas at 1-year follow-up older age (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0-1.2; P < .05), prestroke IQCODE (OR .05, 95% CI .0-.9; P < .05), MTLA (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.0-1.6; P < .05), and APACHE II (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation; OR .6, 95% CI .4-.9; P < .05) were independently associated with PSD.Conclusions: Acute cerebrovascular disease could not be the only one mechanism explaining PSD. Neurodegenerative pathology must be taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synapse loss and memory decline are the primary features of neurodegenerative dementia. However, the molecular underpinnings that drive memory loss remain largely unknown. Here, we report that FAM69C is a kinase critically involved in neurodegenerative dementia. Biochemical analyses uncover that FAM69C is a serine/threonine kinase. We generate the Fam69c knockout mice and show by single-cell RNA sequencing that FAM69C deficiency drives cell-type-specific transcriptional changes relevant to synapse dysfunction. Electrophysiological, morphological, and behavioral experiments demonstrate impairments in synaptic plasticity, dendritic spine density, and memory in Fam69c knockout mice, as well as stress-induced neuronal death. Phosphoproteomic characterizations reveal that FAM69C substrates are involved in synaptic structure and function. Finally, reduced levels of FAM69C are found in postmortem brains of Alzheimer's disease patients. Our study demonstrates that FAM69C is a protective regulator of memory and suggests FAM69C as a potential therapeutic target for memory loss in neurodegenerative dementia. [Display omitted] • FAM69C is a brain-enriched serine/threonine kinase • FAM69C-deficient mice show synaptic dysfunction and memory loss • Phosphoproteomics reveal FAM69C substrates involved in synaptic structure and function • Reduced levels of FAM69C are found in postmortem brains of AD patients Mei et al. identify a brain-enriched serine/threonine kinase, FAM69C, involved in neurodegenerative dementia. Using a combination of single-cell RNA sequencing, electrophysiology, morphology, phosphoproteomics, and behavioral tests, they characterize the protective role of FAM69C in synaptic strength and cognitive function. FAM69C deficiency in Alzheimer's disease contributes to memory loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dried and ripe fruits of Alpinia oxyphylla and ripe fruits of Alpinia oxyphylla Miquel (AO) have the effects of tonifying kidney-essence and nourishing intelligence and thus have been widely used in treating dementia. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a typical form of neurodegenerative dementia with kidney-essence deficiency in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). So far, there is a lack of systematic studies on the biological basis of tonifying kidney-essence and nourishing intelligence and the corresponding phytochemicals. In this study, we investigated the targets of AO in tonifying kidney-essence and nourishing intelligence based on the key pathophysiological processes of neurodegenerative dementia. According to ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry data and Lipinski's rule of five, 49 bioactive phytochemicals from AO were identified, and 26 of them were found to target 168 key molecules in the treatment of neurodegenerative dementia. Nine phytochemicals of AO were shown to target acetylcholinesterase (ACHE), and 19 phytochemicals were shown to target butyrylcholinesterase (BCHE). A database of neurodegenerative dementia with kidney-essence deficiency involving 731 genes was constructed. Furthermore, yakuchinone B, 5-hydroxy-1,7-bis (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) heptan-3-one (5-HYD), oxyhylladiketone, oxyphyllacinol, butyl-β-D-fructopyranoside, dibutyl phthalate, chrysin, yakuchinone A, rhamnetin, and rhamnocitrin were identified as the key phytochemicals from AO that regulate the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative dementia in a multitargeted manner. The approach of studying the pharmacological mechanism underlying the effects of medicinal plants and the biological basis of TCM syndrome may be helpful in studying the translation of TCM., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Zeng, Liu, Wang, Ye, Sun, Su, Qiu, Li, Wang, Wang, Ma, Li and Tian.)