Preclinical Markers Preluding the Onset of Cognitive Impairment and Dementia

A special issue of Medicina (ISSN 1648-9144). This special issue belongs to the section "Neurology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (29 February 2024) | Viewed by 3734

Special Issue Editors

1. Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, University Hospital of Larissa, 41110 Larissa, Greece
2. School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41110 Larissa, Greece
Interests: neurosciences; neurology; neurogenetics; cognitive impairment; neuroepidemiology; biostatistics
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biomarkers may assist in the preclinical detection of individuals under increased risk of developing dementia and contribute to the early implementation of interventions that may delay or prevent cognitive impairment (or serve relevant research purposes). Previous studies have consistently indicated the value of several imaging and laboratory indices which can reveal undergoing neuropathological alterations in a prodromal stage. However, increasing interest is accumulating toward the discovery of clinical markers that may partially replace these indices or serve initial screening purposes prior to the implementation of costlier and more interventional procedures.

This collection aims to explore the predictive value of neuropsychological, functional, motor, and neuropsychiatric markers regarding the development of cognitive impairment and dementia (Alzheimer’s and non-Alzheimer’s). The individual or combined value of these markers in revealing individuals at high risk of developing cognitive impairment, separating rapid from regular and slow decliners, predicting the onset of different dementia entities, accompanying or preluding specific neuropathological alterations, or indicating potential protective properties against cognitive impairment will be explored. In parallel, the modifying effects of environmental (dietary, socioeconomic, and so on), medical, or genetic factors will be investigated.

Any types of manuscripts supported by the journal, including original research articles, brief research articles, community case studies, narrative reviews, mini-reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses, pertaining to these topics are welcome.

Dr. Ioannis Liampas
Dr. Vasileios Siokas
Dr. Efthimios Dardiotis
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • dementia
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • mild cognitive impairment
  • cognitive decline
  • neuropsychology
  • cognition
  • neuropsychiatric symptoms
  • functional status
  • motor disturbances
  • preclinical course

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 489 KiB  
Article
Qualitative Verbal Fluency Components as Prognostic Factors for Developing Alzheimer’s Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment: Results from the Population-Based HELIAD Cohort
by Ioannis Liampas, Vasiliki Folia, Elli Zoupa, Vasileios Siokas, Mary Yannakoulia, Paraskevi Sakka, Georgios Hadjigeorgiou, Nikolaos Scarmeas, Efthimios Dardiotis and Mary H. Kosmidis
Medicina 2022, 58(12), 1814; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina58121814 - 09 Dec 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1424
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic value of the qualitative components of verbal fluency (clustering, switching, intrusions, and perseverations) on the development of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. Materials and Methods: Participants [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic value of the qualitative components of verbal fluency (clustering, switching, intrusions, and perseverations) on the development of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. Materials and Methods: Participants were drawn from the multidisciplinary, population-based, prospective HELIAD (Hellenic Longitudinal Investigation of Aging and Diet) cohort. Two participant sets were separately analysed: those with normal cognition and MCI at baseline. Verbal fluency was assessed via one category and one letter fluency task. Separate Cox proportional hazards regressions adjusted for important sociodemographic parameters were performed for each qualitative semantic and phonemic verbal fluency component. Results: There were 955 cognitively normal (CN), older (72.9 years ±4.9), predominantly female (~60%) individuals with available follow-up assessments after a mean of 3.09 years (±0.83). Among them, 34 developed dementia at follow-up (29 of whom progressed to Alzheimer’s dementia (AD)), 160 developed MCI, and 761 remained CN. Each additional perseveration on the semantic condition increased the risk of developing all-cause dementia and AD by 52% and 55%, respectively. Of note, participants with two or more perseverations on the semantic task presented a much more prominent risk for incident dementia compared to those with one or no perseverations. Among the remaining qualitative indices, none were associated with the hazard of developing all-cause dementia, AD, and MCI at follow-up. Conclusions: Perseverations on the semantic fluency condition were related to an increased risk of incident all-cause dementia or AD in older, CN individuals. Full article
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12 pages, 755 KiB  
Article
The Relationship between Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Cognitive Performance in Older Adults with Normal Cognition
by Ioannis Liampas, Vasileios Siokas, Constantine George Lyketsos and Efthimios Dardiotis
Medicina 2022, 58(11), 1586; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina58111586 - 03 Nov 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1623
Abstract
Background and Objectives: To explore whether specific Neuropsychiatric Symptoms (NPS) are related to worse performance in particular cognitive domains. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of the baseline evaluations of older (≥60 years), cognitively unimpaired (CU) participants from the National Alzheimer’s [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: To explore whether specific Neuropsychiatric Symptoms (NPS) are related to worse performance in particular cognitive domains. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of the baseline evaluations of older (≥60 years), cognitively unimpaired (CU) participants from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (NACC) Uniform Data Set was performed. Data were derived from 43 Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers. Cognitively impaired individuals, participants with psychiatric disorders and/or under treatment with antipsychotic, anxiolytic, sedative, or hypnotic agents were excluded. NPS were assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire. The association of NPS with participants’ performance on episodic memory, semantic memory, language, attention, processing speed and executive function was analysed using an adjusted (considering important demographic and medical factors) multivariate general linear model. Results: A total of 7179 CU, older, predominantly female, Caucasian, and well-educated participants were included in the present analysis. Among them, 1856 individuals had one or more NPS. Our analysis revealed that moderate/severe anxiety was related to worse performance on semantic memory, attention and executive function, the presence of hallucinations was linked to worse processing speed and executive function scores, while the presence of elation/euphoria and aberrant motor behaviour were associated with poorer attention and language performance, respectively. In the context of a secondary, exploratory analysis, the presence of moderate/severe delusions was related to worse processing speed and executive function performance. Conclusions: The relationship between specific NPS and worse performance in particular cognitive domains could inform the formulation of individualized preventive strategies directed to the ‘‘fortification’’ of specific cognitive functions in CU individuals with NPS. Full article
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