IMPORTANCE Prior evidence suggests that racial differences exist in tau biomarkers in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer disease (AD). Whether this reported disparity is associated with a differential level of neurodegeneration and disease stage or with underlying mechanisms separate from amyloid or tau is unclear. OBJECTIVES To compare cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers in African American and white individuals with normal cognition and MCI, to estimate race-based cutoffs for these biomarkers that maximize diagnostic discrimination between normal cognition and MCI, and to study the association of demographic characteristics, cognitive performance, and common vascular risk factors with these differences.

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BackgroundRegional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) as assessed by near infrared frontal cerebral spectroscopy decreases in circulatory arrest and increases with high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation. We hypothesized that higher rSO2 during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) would predict survival to discharge and neurological recovery.Methods and ResultsThis prospective case series included patients experiencing in-hospital cardiac arrest. Cerebral oximetry was recorded continuously from initiation of resuscitation until ROSC and up to 48 hours post-arrest. Relationships between oximetry data during these time periods and outcomes of resuscitation survival and survival to discharge were analyzed. The cohort included 27 patients. Nineteen (70.3%) achieved ROSC, and 8 (29.6%) survived to discharge. Median arrest duration was 20.8 minutes (range =8 to 74). There was a significant difference in rSO2 between resuscitation survivors and resuscitation nonsurvivors at initiation of the resuscitative efforts (35% versus 17.5%, P =0.03) and during resuscitation (36% versus 15%, P =0.0008). No significant association was observed between rSO2 at ROSC or during the post-arrest period and survival to discharge. Among patients who survived to discharge, there was no association between cerebral performance category and rSO2 at ROSC, during resuscitation, or post-arrest.ConclusionsHigher rSO2 levels at initiation of resuscitation and during resuscitation are associated with resuscitation survival and may reflect high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation. However, in this small series, rSO2 was not predictive of good neurological outcome. Larger studies are needed to determine whether this monitoring modality can be used to improve clinical outcomes.

The AED can affect survival among patients with sudden ventricular fibrillation (VF). Components of AED programs that affect outcome include the operator, location, the emergency response system, ongoing maintenance and evaluation. Comparing outcomes is complicated by variations in definitions of populations and variables. The effect of AEDs on individuals can be dramatic, but the effect on populations is limited.