Neuroplasticity: The Critical Issue for Alzheimer's Disease and Links to Obesity and Depression

Ashford, J. Wesson

doi:10.1016/j.jagp.2023.07.007

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…If the pattern is recognized during a CRT, the instructed action is performed, but if the pattern is not recognized, then a neurochemical activation is initiated to establish the new pattern in the neural network (Ashford et al, 2011a). It is this latter activation, associated with the fundamental neuroplasticity of the brain, that is the important component tested by the MemTrax CRT described here (Ashford, 2023).…”

Section: Neural Processing Of Information and Episodic Memory In A Crtmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These age effects are substantial during tasks that instruct the user to initiate processing, as is done during free or cued recall, to manipulate information held in memory, or to maintain information while concurrently processing incoming stimuli ( Luo and Craik, 2008 ). As the stimuli become progressively more complex, the analytical requirements increase, and the inadequacies of the information processing system become more apparent, thus reflecting the continuum of normal cognitive function progressing to mild cognitive impairment and memory dysfunction ( Hall et al, 2015 ; Ashford, 2023 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Computer implementations of such tasks still do not provide the depth of processing provided with assessment by trained professionals. Importantly, most computer-based tools are not focused on EM and do not provide appropriate or precise measures of EM essential for clinical evaluation or follow-up or research outcomes ( Sabbagh et al, 2020 ; Chan et al, 2021 ; Ashford et al, 2022b ; Ding et al, 2022 ; Ashford, 2023 ; Chithiramohan et al, 2024 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Episodic memory assessment: effects of sex and age on performance and response time during a continuous recognition task

Clifford,

Anand,

Tarpin-Bernard

et al. 2024

Front. Hum. Neurosci.

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IntroductionContinuous recognition tasks (CRTs) assess episodic memory (EM), the central functional disturbance in Alzheimer’s disease and several related disorders. The online MemTrax computerized CRT provides a platform for screening and assessment that is engaging and can be repeated frequently. MemTrax presents complex visual stimuli, which require complex involvement of the lateral and medial temporal lobes and can be completed in less than 2 min. Results include number of correct recognitions (HITs), recognition failures (MISSes = 1-HITs), correct rejections (CRs), false alarms (FAs = 1-CRs), total correct (TC = HITs + CRs), and response times (RTs) for each HIT and FA. Prior analyses of MemTrax CRT data show no effects of sex but an effect of age on performance. The number of HITs corresponds to faster RT-HITs more closely than TC, and CRs do not relate to RT-HITs. RT-HITs show a typical skewed distribution, and cumulative RT-HITs fit a negative survival curve (RevEx). Thus, this study aimed to define precisely the effects of sex and age on HITS, CRs, RT-HITs, and the dynamics of RTs in an engaged population.MethodsMemTrax CRT online data on 18,255 individuals was analyzed for sex, age, and distributions of HITs, CRs, MISSes, FAs, TC, and relationships to both RT-HITs and RT-FAs.ResultsHITs corresponded more closely to RT-HITs than did TC because CRs did not relate to RT-HITs. RT-FAs had a broader distribution than RT-HITs and were faster than RT-HITs in about half of the sample, slower in the other half. Performance metrics for men and women were the same. HITs declined with age as RT-HITs increased. CRs also decreased with age and RT-FAs increased, but with no correlation. The group over aged 50 years had RT-HITs distributions slower than under 50 years. For both age ranges, the RevEx model explained more than 99% of the variance in RT-HITs.DiscussionThe dichotomy of HITs and CRs suggests opposing cognitive strategies: (1) less certainty about recognitions, in association with slower RT-HITs and lower HIT percentages suggests recognition difficulty, leading to more MISSes, and (2) decreased CRs (more FAs) but faster RTs to HITs and FAs, suggesting overly quick decisions leading to errors. MemTrax CRT performance provides an indication of EM (HITs and RT-HITs may relate to function of the temporal lobe), executive function (FAs may relate to function of the frontal lobe), processing speed (RTs), cognitive ability, and age-related changes. This CRT provides potential clinical screening utility for early Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions affecting EM, other cognitive functions, and more accurate impairment assessment to track changes over time.

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Section: Neural Processing Of Information and Episodic Memory In A Crtmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Episodic memory assessment: effects of sex and age on performance and response time during a continuous recognition task

Clifford,

Anand,

Tarpin-Bernard

et al. 2024

Front. Hum. Neurosci.

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A Brief History of the Progress in Our Understanding of Genetics and Lifestyle, Especially Diet, in the Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

Grant

2024

JAD

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The two major determining factors for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are genetics and lifestyle. Alleles of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene play important roles in the development of late-onset AD, with APOE ɛ4 increasing risk, APOE ɛ3 being neutral, and APOE ɛ2 reducing risk. Several modifiable lifestyle factors have been studied in terms of how they can modify the risk of AD. Among these factors are dietary pattern, nutritional supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids, and B vitamins, physical exercise, and obesity, and vitamin D. The Western diet increases risk of AD, while dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean and vegetarian/vegan diets reduce risk. Foods associated with reduced risk include coffee, fruits and vegetables, whole grains and legumes, and fish, while meat and ultraprocessed foods are associated with increased risk, especially when they lead to obesity. In multi-country ecological studies, the amount of meat in the national diet has the highest correlation with risk of AD. The history of research regarding dietary patterns on risk of AD is emphasized in this review. The risk of AD can be modified starting at least by mid-life. People with greater genetic risk for AD would benefit more by choosing lifestyle factors to reduce and/or delay incidence of AD.

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Pros and Cons of APOE4 Homozygosity and Effects on Neuroplasticity, Malnutrition, and Infections in Early Life Adversity, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Alzheimer’s Prevention

Oriá,

Smith,

Ashford

et al. 2024

JAD

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Fortea et al.’s. (2024) recent data analysis elegantly calls attention to familial late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD) with APOE4 homozygosity. The article by Grant (2024) reviews the factors associated with AD, particularly the APOE genotype and lifestyle, and the broad implications for prevention, both for individuals with the lifestyles associated with living in resource-rich countries and for those enduring environmental adversity in poverty settings, including high exposure to enteric pathogens and precarious access to healthcare. Grant discusses the issue of APOE genotype and its implications for the benefits of lifestyle modifications. This review highlights that bearing APOE4 could constitute an evolutionary benefit in coping with heavy enteric infections and malnutrition early in life in the critical formative first two years of brain development. However, the critical issue may be that this genotype could be a health concern under shifts in lifestyle and unhealthy diets during aging, leading to severe cognitive impairments and increased risk of AD. This commentary supports the discussions of Grant and the benefits of improving lifestyle for decreasing the risks for AD while providing further understanding and modelling of the early life benefits of APOE4 amidst adversity. This attention to the pathophysiology of AD should help further elucidate these critical, newly appreciated pathogenic pathways for developing approaches to the prevention and management in the context of the APOE genetic variations associated with AD.

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Neuroplasticity: The Critical Issue for Alzheimer's Disease and Links to Obesity and Depression

Cited by 3 publications

References 57 publications

Episodic memory assessment: effects of sex and age on performance and response time during a continuous recognition task

Episodic memory assessment: effects of sex and age on performance and response time during a continuous recognition task

A Brief History of the Progress in Our Understanding of Genetics and Lifestyle, Especially Diet, in the Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

Pros and Cons of APOE4 Homozygosity and Effects on Neuroplasticity, Malnutrition, and Infections in Early Life Adversity, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Alzheimer’s Prevention

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