Background and Objectives:ATN (β-Amyloid, Tau, Neurodegeneration) system categorizes individuals based on their core Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarkers. An important potential future use for ATN is therapeutic decision-making in clinical practice once disease-modifying treatments, e.g., anti-amyloid, become widely available. In this cross-sectional study, we applied ATN and estimated potential eligibility for anti-amyloid treatment in a real-life memory clinic with biomarker assessments integrated into the routine diagnostic procedure and all specialized resources available for the implementation of novel treatments.Methods:We included all consecutive patients at the Karolinska University Hospital Memory clinic in Solna, Stockholm, Sweden, who had their first diagnostic visit in April 2018–February 2021, informed consent for the clinic research database, and available clinical and biomarker (CSF, imaging) data. ATN classification was based on CSF Aβ42 (or Aβ42/40; A), CSF phosphorylated tau (T), and medial temporal lobe atrophy (N). For CSF markers, we applied laboratory cut-offs and data-driven cut-offs for comparison (determined with Gaussian mixture modelling). Anti-amyloid treatment eligibility was assessed following the published recommendations for aducanumab (AD dementia or MCI with no evidence of non-AD etiology, appropriate level of cognition, AD-consistent CSF profile).Results:Study population consisted of 410 patients (52% subjective cognitive impairment, 23% mild cognitive impairment MCI, 25% any dementia; age 59±7 years, 56% women). Regardless of biomarker cut-offs, most patients were A−T−N− (54–57%). A+ prevalence was 17–30% (higher with data-driven cut-offs). Up to 13% of all patients (27% of those with MCI and 28% of those with dementia) were potentially eligible for anti-amyloid treatment when AD-consistent CSF was defined as any A+ profile. When A+T+ profile was required, treatment was targeted more to the dementia than MCI stage (eligibility up to 14% in MCI, 22% in dementia). The opposite applied to earlier stage intervention (A+T−N−; eligibility up to 12% in MCI, 2% in dementia).Discussion:In a memory clinic setting with all necessary infrastructure and national guidelines in place for dementia diagnostic examination (“best-case scenario”), most patients did not meet the eligibility criteria for anti-amyloid treatment. Continuing the development of disease-modifying treatments with different mechanisms of action is a priority.
Background: Interventions simultaneously targeting multiple risk factors and mechanisms are most likely to be effective in preventing cognitive impairment. This was indicated in the Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER) testing a multidomain lifestyle intervention among at-risk individuals. The importance of medical food at the early symptomatic disease stage, prodromal Alzheimer’s disease (AD), was emphasized in the LipiDiDiet trial. The feasibility and effects of multimodal interventions in prodromal AD are unclear. Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of an adapted FINGER-based multimodal lifestyle intervention, with or without medical food, among individuals with prodromal AD. Methods: MIND-ADmini is a multinational proof-of-concept 6-month randomized controlled trial (RCT), with four trial sites (Sweden, Finland, Germany, France). The trial targeted individuals with prodromal AD defined using the International Working Group-1 criteria, and with vascular or lifestyle-related risk factors. The parallel-group RCT includes three arms: 1) multimodal lifestyle intervention (nutritional guidance, exercise, cognitive training, vascular/metabolic risk management and social stimulation); 2) multimodal lifestyle intervention+medical food (Fortasyn Connect); and 3) regular health advice/care (control group). Primary outcomes are feasibility and adherence. Secondary outcomes are adherence to the individual intervention domains and healthy lifestyle changes. Results: Screening began on 28 September 2017 and was completed on 21 May 2019. Altogether 93 participants were randomized and enrolled. The intervention proceeded as planned. Conclusions: For the first time, this pilot trial tests the feasibility and adherence to a multimodal lifestyle intervention, alone or combined with medical food, among individuals with prodromal AD. It can serve as a model for combination therapy trials (non-pharma, nutrition-based and/or pharmacological interventions).
Background Persons with dementia living in nursing homes need assistance with moving and transfers; however, caregivers assisting persons with dementia in their daily person transfers report strain-related and complicated transfer-related behavioural problems. The reciprocity of complex dyadic transfer-related behaviours is affected by environmental factors, the health status of the person with dementia and the caregiver’s skills and knowledge. The aim of this study was to explore tailored interventions guided by a functional behaviour analysis for problematic person transfer situations in two dementia care dyads. Methods This study was a quasi-experimental single-case study with an A-B design. Tailored interventions were developed in a five-step model for functional behavioural analysis. The study was conducted in a dementia special care unit at a nursing home, and the inclusion criteria were caregivers’ experiences of physical strain and/or resistiveness to care, which led to complex transfer-related behaviour. Two care dyads were included. Transfer situations were video-recorded and evaluated with the Dyadic Interaction in Dementia Transfer Assessment Scale, Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia Scale, and Resistiveness to Care Scale for Dementia of the Alzheimer’s Type. The caregiver experience was evaluated with study-specific items addressing caregiver self-efficacy, catastrophizing thoughts, perceived control, and perceived physical strain. Scorings were graphically displayed. The graphs were inspected visually to identify changes in trend, level, latency, and variability. Nonoverlap of all pairs (NAP), including 90% confidence intervals (CIs), was calculated to complement the visual inspection. Results Verbal and nonverbal discomfort decreased in care dyad 1, which mirrored the caregiver changes in adapting their actions to the needs of the person with dementia. High variability was seen in both the intervention and the baseline phases in care dyad 2. In both care dyads, caregiver transfer-related behaviour improved. Conclusions The results indicate that the transfer-related behaviours of the care dyad might be improved through a behaviour-directed intervention tailored to meet the care dyad´s needs. The small number of cases and observations limits the generalizability, and the results should be interpreted in consideration of the piloting approach of the study.
Objective Sedentary behavior (SB) is defined as a mean of >6 hours of daytime sitting or lying down. SB has been shown to increase with older age and is a risk factor for disease. During the transition from working life to retirement, changes in daily life activities occur, risking increased SB. The aim of the present study was to gain a deeper understanding of SB in relation to the transition from working life to retirement as experienced by persons in retirement. Methods The study was grounded in a phenomenological life-world perspective. Fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants aged 64–75. Data were analyzed using the empirical phenomenological psychological method. Results The participants described that voluntary sedentary time was positively related to general health and well-being, while involuntary sedentary time was negatively related to health. Increased sedentary time was described as natural when aging. Retirement was expressed as a time for rest after hard work and the ability to choose a slower pace in life. Internal and external demands and daily routines interrupted SB, whereas loneliness was perceived to increase SB. Participants strived to find a balance between physical activity and sedentary time. The variations in the participants’ descriptions formed three typologies: in light of meaningful sedentary behavior, in the shadow of involuntary sedentary behavior, and a dual process – postponing sedentary behavior with physical activity. Conclusions Increased SB was perceived as natural when aging, but something that may be postponed by conscious choices. SB was perceived as associated with health, rest and recovery but also with the risk of deteriorating health. Impact This knowledge of the experienced meaning of SB could guide the design of health promotion interventions and may be helpful in targeting those in need of support and individualizing interventions to decrease SB in retirement. Lay Summary This study reveals how persons in retirement describe sedentary behavior as something healthy but also as unhealthy and that sedentary behavior is natural in aging and can be postponed by physical activity.
Background: Impaired mobility in people with severe dementia is well known. Physical therapists play a key role in guiding professional caregivers on how to handle mobility and transfer-related problems; however, it is unknown how to handle the complexity of dementia-related impaired endurance, joint dysfunction, balance, and gait dysfunction and at the same time, take into consideration the person's decreased cognition, communication deficits, and behaviour problems. Aims and methods: The aim was to explore the effectiveness and efficiency of functional behaviour analysis (FBA) guided interventions of dyadic transfer-related behaviour in dementia care dyads. An experimental single-case research design was used. Two care dyads participated. Different methods of assessment were performed to gather the dyadic transfer-related behavioural problems. Transfers were recorded by video uptakes and to generate a hypothesis about dyadic transfer-related behavioural problems, the Dyadic Interaction in Dementia Transfer Assessment Scale (DIDTAS) was used. Results: The problematic transfer-related behaviour in care dyad 1 changed positively, as reflected by a decrease in discomfort verbally expressed by the person with dementia. A trend towards increased cooperation was observed among caregivers assisting in the transfer situation. In care dyad 2, a trend towards increased caregiver self-efficacy (SE) was observed between the baseline and completed intervention phases. The decreased resistiveness to care (RTC) exhibited by the person with dementia paralleled the increase in caregiver SE. Conclusion: Considering the findings of this explorative study, physical therapists could consider the development of tailored interventions guided by an FBA for complex dyadic transfer-related behavioural problems in dementia care dyads. ARTICLE HISTORY
Background This is the study plan of the Karolinska NeuroCOVID study, a study of neurocognitive impairment after severe COVID‐19, relating post‐intensive care unit (ICU) cognitive and neurological deficits to biofluid markers and MRI. The COVID‐19 pandemic has posed enormous health challenges to individuals and health‐care systems worldwide. An emerging feature of severe COVID‐19 is that of temporary and extended neurocognitive impairment, exhibiting a myriad of symptoms and signs. The causes of this symptomatology have not yet been fully elucidated. Methods In this study, we aim to investigate patients treated for severe COVID‐19 in the ICU, as to describe and relate serum‐, plasma‐ and cerebrospinal fluid‐borne molecular and cellular biomarkers of immune activity, coagulopathy, cerebral damage, neuronal inflammation, and degeneration, to the temporal development of structural and functional changes within the brain as evident by serial MRI and extensive cognitive assessments at 3–12 months after ICU discharge. Results To date, we have performed 51 3‐month follow‐up MRIs in the ICU survivors. Of these, two patients (~4%) have had incidental findings on brain MRI findings requiring activation of the Incidental Findings Management Plan. Furthermore, the neuropsychological and neurological examinations have so far revealed varying and mixed patterns. Several patients expressed cognitive and/or mental concerns and fatigue, complaints closely related to brain fog. Conclusion The study goal is to gain a better understanding of the pathological mechanisms and neurological consequences of this new disease, with a special emphasis on neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory processes, in order to identify targets of intervention and rehabilitation.
Aim: To describe how complexity science has been integrated into nursing.
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