Alzheimer’s – DropCite

Featured Preprint: Modifiable lifestyle activities affect cognition in cognitively healthy middle-aged individuals at risk for late life Alzheimer's Disease

Lorina Naci, Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience

Summary: In this two year prospective cohort study of 176 individuals, more frequent engagement in physically, socially and intellectually stimulating activities was associated with better cognition (verbal, spatial and relational memory), at baseline and follow-up. Critically, more frequent engagement in these activities was associated with stronger cognition (verbal and visuospatial functions, and conjunctive short-term memory binding) in individuals with family history of dementia. Impaired visuospatial function is one of the earliest cognitive deficits in AD and has previously associated with increased AD risk in this cohort. Additionally, conjunctive memory functions have been found impaired in the pre-symptomatic stages of AD. These findings suggest that modifiable lifestyle activities offset cognitive decrements due to AD risk in mid-life and support the targeting of modifiable lifestyle activities for the prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Clinic Notes

Signs and symptoms associated with a need for supervision in patients with Alzheimer’s disease

Celia Huey, Columbia University

Summary: This paper uses data from a prospective cohort study of 143 people with Alzheimer's to look at factors that influence a caregivers decision to place subjects in memory care programs. They find that hallucinations, low scores on memory tests, and lower elation increased the likelihood of institutionalization.

Neuropathology-based APOE genetic risk score better quantifies Alzheimer's risk

Summary: A cohort of people with MS (PWMS) and matched controls over the course of the pandemic showed significant decreases in the size and activity of their social networks during the pandemic. The effect was greater for PWMS. Declines in personal networks correlated with declines in neurological functions for PwMS.

Lab Notes

Abundant Aβ fibrils in ultracentrifugal supernatants of aqueous extracts from Alzheimer’s disease brains

Andrew Stern, Harvard University

Summary: The authors found that Aβ fibrils are abundant in aqueous extracts from AD brains and have the same structures as those from amyloid plaques. These findings have implications for understanding the nature of Aβ oligomers and for designing oligomer-preferring therapeutic antibodies.

Banner Life Sciences, a uniquely innovative and entrepreneurial pharmaceutical company, identifies unmet clinical needs for patients and consumers. Committed to advancing human health through scientific innovation, Banner Life Sciences combines a proven history of formulation expertise with proprietary technologies to create specialty pharmaceuticals.

DropCite provides a network for readers, researchers, and authors to annotate and discuss emerging research, in line, anywhere, any time. The researchXchange tracks the most recent scientific preprints about Multiple Sclerosis. DropCite’s editorial team showcases the most significant preprints along with comments from the research community. Follow the conversation and hear what the experts are saying by clicking on the links below. You are free to sign up to become a member of the DropCite community if you want to join the conversation.