Prognostic Value of A/T/N Biomarkers: Comparing Plasma and Imaging Modalities in Alzheimer Disease.

Background: Alzheimer disease (AD) is characterized by amyloid-β plaques (A), tau tangles (T), and neurodegeneration (N), collectively defining the ATN framework. While imaging biomarkers are well-established, the prognostic value of plasma biomarkers in predicting cognitive decline remains underexplored. This study compares plasma and imaging A/T/N biomarkers in predicting cognitive decline and evaluate the impact of combining biomarkers across modalities.

Potential utility of plasma pTau217 for assessing amyloid and tau biomarker profiles.

Purpose: Plasma phosphorylated tau 217 (pTau217) is a promising biomarker for Alzheimer's disease, reflecting both amyloid β (Aβ) and tau positron emission tomography (PET) results. While its diagnostic role is actively being investigated, this study aims to expand its application to staging disease progression and predicting cognitive decline.

Methods: A total of 2,919 participants, primarily diagnosed as Alzheimer's clinical syndrome, were recruited.

Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Signal as a Potential Biomarker for White Matter Hyperintensity Progression in Patients With Subcortical Vascular Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Study.

Background: White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are a common cause of subcortical vascular cognitive impairment (SVCI). The silent yet progressive nature of WMH in cognitive decline underscores the need for reliable biomarkers for early detection and monitoring of its progression. This study aims to investigate the association between functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) signals during mental and physical activities and WMH volume.

Association of peripheral neuropathy with dementia in type 2 diabetes: a 5-year follow-up study using the national health insurance service-national health information database.

Objective: To investigate whether the incidence of dementia is associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Using the National Health Insurance Service-National Health Information Database, we calculated the incidence of various types of dementia according to type 2 diabetes with or without DPN by applying multivariate Cox regression analysis. Propensity score matching was performed to equalize each group by considering demographic characteristics and underlying conditions.

Temporal Dynamics and Biological Variability of Alzheimer Biomarkers.

Importance: Understanding the characteristics of discordance between plasma biomarkers and positron emission tomography (PET) results in Alzheimer disease (AD) is crucial for accurate interpretation of the findings.

Objective: To compare (1) medical comorbidities affecting plasma biomarker concentrations, (2) imaging and clinical features, and (3) cognitive changes between plasma biomarker and PET discordant and concordant cases.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This multicenter cohort study, conducted between 2016 and 2023, included individuals with unimpaired cognition, mild cognitive impairment, or Alzheimer-type dementia, who had both amyloid β (Aβ) PET imaging and plasma biomarkers.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for Dementia: Recommendations for the Pharmacological Treatment of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms.

Background And Purpose: Dementia often accompanies behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), including agitation, aggression, depression, and psychosis, which impact patients' quality of life and caregiver burden. Effective management of BPSD is essential to support patient and caregiver well-being. This study presents evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for pharmacological treatments of BPSD in dementia, focusing on antipsychotics, antidepressants, cognitive enhancers, and other medications.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for Dementia: Recommendations for Cholinesterase Inhibitors and Memantine.

Background And Purpose: This clinical practice guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for treatment of dementia, focusing on cholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other types of dementia.

Methods: Using the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes (PICO) framework, we developed key clinical questions and conducted systematic literature reviews. A multidisciplinary panel of experts, organized by the Korean Dementia Association, evaluated randomized controlled trials and observational studies.

Differential roles of Alzheimer's disease plasma biomarkers in stepwise biomarker-guided diagnostics.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the differential roles of various plasma biomarkers in a stepwise diagnostic strategy for Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: A total of 2984 participants, including 666 cognitively unimpaired (CU), 2032 with Alzheimer's clinical syndrome (ACS), and 286 non-ACS individuals, were recruited. Plasma amyloid beta (Aβ) 42/40, four phosphorylated tau (p-tau) epitopes, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels were measured using immunoassays.

South Korean study to prevent cognitive impairment and protect brain health through multidomain interventions via face-to-face and video communication platforms in mild cognitive impairment (SUPERBRAIN-MEET): A randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: We investigated the efficacy of a multidomain intervention (MI) via face-to-face and video communication platforms using a tablet personal computer application in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods: Three hundred participants with MCI and ≥ 1 modifiable dementia risk factor, aged 60-85 years, were randomly assigned to either the MI group, who underwent a 24-week intervention, or the control group, who received usual care.

Results: The overall adherence rate to MI was 84.

Korea-Registries to Overcome Dementia and Accelerate Dementia Research (K-ROAD): A Cohort for Dementia Research and Ethnic-Specific Insights.

Background And Purpose: Dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease, is a significant global health concern, with early diagnosis and treatment development being critical goals. While numerous cohorts have advanced dementia research, there is a lack of comprehensive data on ethnic differences, particularly for the Korean population. The Korea-Registries to Overcome Dementia and Accelerate Dementia Research (K-ROAD) aims to establish a large-scale, hospital-based dementia cohort to address this gap, with a focus on understanding disease progression, developing early diagnostics, and supporting treatment advancements specific to the Korean population.

Executive Summary of 2023 International Conference of the Korean Dementia Association (IC-KDA 2023): A Report From the Academic Committee of the Korean Dementia Association.

The Korean Dementia Association (KDA) has been organizing biennial international academic conferences since 2019, with the International Conference of the KDA (IC-KDA) 2023 held in Busan under the theme 'Beyond Boundaries: Advancing Global Dementia Solutions.' The conference comprised 6 scientific sessions, 3 plenary lectures, and 4 luncheon symposiums, drawing 804 participants from 35 countries. Notably, a Korea-Taiwan Joint Symposium addressed insights into Alzheimer's disease (AD).

The Usefulness of F-FDG PET to Differentiate Subtypes of Dementia: The Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background And Purpose: Dementia subtypes, including Alzheimer's dementia (AD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), pose diagnostic challenges. This review examines the effectiveness of F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (F-FDG PET) in differentiating these subtypes for precise treatment and management.

Methods: A systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was conducted using databases like PubMed and Embase to identify studies on the diagnostic utility of F-FDG PET in dementia.

Development and preliminary validation of a virtual reality memory test for assessing visuospatial memory.

Background: Visuospatial memory impairment is a common symptom of Alzheimer's disease; however, conventional visuospatial memory tests are insufficient to fully reflect visuospatial memory impairment in daily life.

Methods: To address patients' difficulties in locating and recalling misplaced objects, we introduced a novel visuospatial memory test, the Hidden Objects Test (HOT), conducted in a virtual environment. We categorized HOT scores into prospective memory, item free-recall, place free-recall, item recognition, and place-item matching scores.

A Novel c.800G>C Variant of the ITM2B Gene in Familial Korean Dementia.

Mutations in ITM2B have been reported to be associated with several familial dementias, such as Familial British dementia and familial Danish dementia. These are autosomal dominant disorders characterized by progressive dementia with an onset at around the fifth decade of life. We describe a family with cognitive impairment caused by a novel ITM2B p.

A pilot study to explore the effect of udenafil on cerebral hemodynamics in older adults.

Objective: Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5Is) enhance vasodilation. We investigated the effects of PDE5I on cerebral hemodynamics during cognitive tasks using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).

Methods: This study used a crossover design.

A single-center, randomized, parallel design study to evaluate the efficacy of donepezil in improving visuospatial abilities in patients with mild cognitive impairment using eye-tracker: the COG-EYE study protocol for a phase II trial.

Background: Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) decrease long-term cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, there is little evidence that ChEIs affect cognitive test scores in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Conventional endpoints, such as cognitive tests or clinical rating scores, may lack the sensitivity to subtle treatment effects in participants with MCI. Therefore, there is an immediate need to refocus on direct physiological assessments to detect the effects of ChEIs in patients with MCI due to AD.

Atypical Cognitive Impairment and Recovery in Two Colorectal Cancer Patients.

Cognitive impairment in cancer patients can be caused by various factors; in approximately 30% of cancer patients, the symptoms appear before starting treatment. Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis (PLE) is a rare disease associated with an autoimmune response, and is characterized by memory loss, depression, and personality changes; it is one of the potential causes of cognitive dysfunction in cancer patients. Two patients were previously diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment and maintained clinical stability; after suffering a rapid change in personality and sudden cognitive decline, colorectal cancer was diagnosed within a few months.

Eye-Tracking Metrics for Figure-Copying Processes in Early- vs. Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease.

Visuospatial dysfunction is a common symptom in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). To more focus on copying processes rather than on finally completed figures, we conceptually split the copying processes into three stages: visuoperceptual function, visuoconstructional function, and working memory function. We constructed perceptual and working spaces to investigate the different stages of copying, and then, we compared the number and duration of fixations and saccades and the number of switches across the two spaces.

Distinctive Mediating Effects of Subcortical Structure Changes on the Relationships Between Amyloid or Vascular Changes and Cognitive Decline.

We investigated the mediation effects of subcortical volume change in the relationship of amyloid beta (Aβ) and lacune with cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We prospectively recruited 101 patients with MCI who were followed up with neuropsychological tests, MRI, or Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) PET for 3 years. The mediation effect of subcortical structure on the association of PiB or lacunes with cognitive function was analyzed using mixed effects models.

A Comparison of Speech Features between Mild Cognitive Impairment and Healthy Aging Groups.

Background And Purpose: Language dysfunction is a symptom common to patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Speech feature analysis may be a patient-friendly screening test for early-stage AD. We aimed to investigate the speech features of amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) compared to normal controls (NCs).

Effect of education on functional network edge efficiency in Alzheimer's disease.

We investigated the effect of education on the edge efficiency in resting state functional networks (RSFNs) in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and Alzheimer's disease dementia (ADD). We collected the data of 57 early aMCI, 141 late aMCI, 173 mild ADD, and 39 moderate-to-severe ADD patients. We used years of education as a proxy for cognitive reserve.

Identifying novel genetic variants for brain amyloid deposition: a genome-wide association study in the Korean population.

Background: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified a number of genetic variants for Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, most GWAS were conducted in individuals of European ancestry, and non-European populations are still underrepresented in genetic discovery efforts. Here, we performed GWAS to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with amyloid β (Aβ) positivity using a large sample of Korean population.

Peripheral vasoreactivity in acute ischemic stroke with hemiplegia.

The association between vasomotor tone of the peripheral arteries and cerebral hemisphere function has not been established. This study analyzed the peripheral vasoreactivity of patients with acute ischemic stroke and hemiplegia using a modified Raynaud scan, which is a new technology for blood flow measurement. In this retrospective case-control study, we examined patients with unilateral weakness consistent with ischemic lesions who underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging and modified Raynaud scanning within five days from the onset of symptoms.