Modulating language and executive functions in bilingual aphasia with cerebellar tDCS: a case series.

This case series explores the effects of cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on language and executive functions in bilinguals with aphasia. We present seven Dutch-French bilingual participants diagnosed with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) or post-stroke aphasia, including one non-fluent variant PPA (nfvPPA), three logopenic variant PPA (lvPPA), one semantic variant PPA (svPPA), and two post-stroke non-fluent aphasia patients. 20 min of 2 mA anodal tDCS to the right posterolateral cerebellum was combined with speech and language therapy.

Independent validation and outlier analysis of EuroPOND alzheimer's disease staging model using ADNI and real-world clinical data.

Background: Event-based modeling (EBM) traces sequential progression of events in complex processes like neurodegenerative diseases, adept at handling uncertainties. This study validated an EBM for Alzheimer's disease (AD) staging designed by EuroPOND, an EU-funded Horizon 2020 project, using research and real-world datasets, a crucial step towards application in multi-center trials.

Methods: The training dataset comprised 1737 subjects from ADNI-1/GO/2, using the EuroPOND EBM toolbox.

Patients carrying the mutation p.R406W in MAPT present with non-conforming phenotypic spectrum.

The missense mutation p.R406W in microtubule-associated protein tau leads to frontotemporal lobar degeneration with an amnestic, Alzheimer's disease-like phenotype with an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. In 2003, we described the pedigree of a Belgian family, labelled ADG, with 28 p.

Impact on quitting smoking of cognitive impairment in stroke patients.

Introduction: Smoking is a well-established risk factor for strokes, leading to a high incidence of cognitive deficits. Since the impact of cognitive impairment on the effectiveness of interventions for smoking cessation is not yet known, we considered important to assess it.

Methods: We compared, from April 2012 to November 2015, the success rate of quitting smoking in two groups of acutely hospitalised adult smokers.

Unraveling the Cognitive-Motor Interaction in Individuals With Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine whether increasing the contribution of executive functions worsens dual-task performance in individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI).

Methods: Fourteen individuals with aMCI (mean [SD]: 74 [4] years) and 19 control adults (71 [5] years) recalled a list of letters in the order of presentation (SPAN-O) or in alphabetic order (SPAN-A) while ascending or descending a 3-step staircase. Dual-task cost (DTC) represented the average decrement of motor and cognitive performances during dual tasks, with greater DTC indicating worse performance.

Decreased Alpha Peak Frequency Is Linked to Episodic Memory Impairment in Pathological Aging.

The Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT) is a largely validated neuropsychological test for the identification of amnestic syndrome from the early stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previous electrophysiological data suggested a slowing down of the alpha rhythm in the AD-continuum as well as a key role of this rhythmic brain activity for episodic memory processes. This study therefore investigates the link between alpha brain activity and alterations in episodic memory as assessed by the FCSRT.

Diagnostic Performance of Automated MRI Volumetry by icobrain dm for Alzheimer's Disease in a Clinical Setting: A REMEMBER Study.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become important in the diagnostic work-up of neurodegenerative diseases. icobrain dm, a CE-labeled and FDA-cleared automated brain volumetry software, has shown potential in differentiating cognitively healthy controls (HC) from Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia (ADD) patients in selected research cohorts.

Objective: This study examines the diagnostic value of icobrain dm for AD in routine clinical practice, including a comparison to the widely used FreeSurfer software, and investigates if combined brain volumes contribute to establish an AD diagnosis.

Gesturing helps memory encoding in aMCI.

Encoding in episodic memory is a step often impaired in patients with amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI). However, procedural memory processes are still relatively preserved. In line with previous research on the enactment effect, we investigated the potential benefit of encoding words combined with imitative gestures on episodic memory.

Evolution of lived experience of dementia caregivers after a psycho-educational group: an interpretative phenomenological analysis.

The 'Help and Support for Caregivers and Patients' psycho-education group aims to educate and support dementia caregivers. Fourteen spousal caregivers were interviewed before (T1) and after (T2) psycho-education participation. Intrapersonal processes and the potential evolution of lived experience were explored using longitudinal interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Frontotemporal dementia patients exhibit deficits in predictive saccades.

Prediction and time estimation are all but required for motor function in everyday life. In the context of eye movements, for instance, they allow predictive saccades and eye re-acceleration in anticipation of a target re-appearance. While the neural pathways involved are not fully understood, it is known that the frontal lobe plays an important role.

Effects of a Psychoeducational Program on Caregivers of Patients with Dementia.

Background: The number of demented patients has increased significantly in recent years. The many challenges that dementia causes increase the stress of their caregivers and lead to shortening the time to institutionalization compared to the general population. A psychoeducational program for these accompanying persons was set up in Brussels.

Practices and opinions about disclosure of the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease to patients with MCI or dementia: a survey among Belgian medical experts in the field of dementia.

Previous surveys revealed that only a minority of clinicians routinely disclosed the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) to their patients. Many health professionals fear that the disclosure could be harmful to the patient. Recent advances in the development of biomarkers and new diagnostic criteria allow for an earlier diagnosis of AD at the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) stage.

[Dementia caregiver journey and motivation to participate in a psycho-educational group: an interpretative phenomenological analysis].

Unlabelled: The "Help and support for caregivers and patients program, (ASAPP) is a multidisciplinary project to better the interactions between unformal caregivers and patients living with a neurodegenerative disorder, by improving the disease understanding.

Objective: The aim of our study was to understand the trajectory, expectations and motivation of the caregivers to participate in the program.

Methods: 7 spousal caregivers participated in a semi-structural interview, whose results were analysed by means of a qualitative technique of phenomenological analysis.

Dementia, End of Life, and Euthanasia: A Survey Among Dementia Specialists Organized by the Belgian Dementia Council.

Background: Palliative care and Advance Care Planning (ACP) are increasingly recommended for an optimal management of late-stage dementia. In Belgium, euthanasia has been decriminalized in 2002 for patients who are "mentally competent" (interpreted as non-demented). It has been suggested that advance directives for euthanasia (ADE) should be made possible for dementia patients.

The Use of Mobile Games to Assess Cognitive Function of Elderly with and without Cognitive Impairment.

Background: In the past few years numerous mobile games have been developed to train the brain. There is a lack of information about the relation between the scores obtained in these games and the cognitive abilities of the patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether or not mobile games can be used to assess cognitive abilities of elderly.

A Retrospective Belgian Multi-Center MRI Biomarker Study in Alzheimer's Disease (REMEMBER).

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisition/processing techniques assess brain volumes to explore neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Objective: We examined the clinical utility of MSmetrix and investigated if automated MRI volumes could discriminate between groups covering the AD continuum and could be used as a predictor for clinical progression.

Methods: The Belgian Dementia Council initiated a retrospective, multi-center study and analyzed whole brain (WB), grey matter (GM), white matter (WM), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), cortical GM (CGM) volumes, and WM hyperintensities (WMH) using MSmetrix in the AD continuum.

Hemispatial neglect and serial order in verbal working memory.

Working memory refers to our ability to actively maintain and process a limited amount of information during a brief period of time. Often, not only the information itself but also its serial order is crucial for good task performance. It was recently proposed that serial order is grounded in spatial cognition.

Alzheimer's disease and driving: review of the literature and consensus guideline from Belgian dementia experts and the Belgian road safety institute endorsed by the Belgian Medical Association.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a highly prevalent condition and its prevalence is expected to further increase due to the aging of the general population. It is obvious that the diagnosis of AD has implications for driving. Finally, driving discussions are also emotionally charged because driving is associated with independence and personal identity.

Clinical utility and applicability of biomarker-based diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer's disease: a BeDeCo survey.

We conducted a survey regarding the medical care of patients with dementia in expert settings in Belgium. Open, unrestricted and motivated answers were centralized, blindly interpreted and structured into categories. The report of the results was then submitted to the participants in subsequent plenary meetings and through email.