The Validity and Reliability of the Mini-Mental State Examination-2 for Detecting Vascular Mild Cognitive Impairment and Vascular Dementia in a Korean Population.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Mini-Mental State Examination, 2nd Edition (MMSE-2), as a cognitive screening tool for patients with vascular mild cognitive impairment (VaMCI) and vascular dementia (VD) in a Korean population. Specifically, we investigated whether the MMSE-2 effectively detects early cognitive changes associated with vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) that might be overlooked by the original Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Methods: A total of 66 patients with VaMCI, 46 patients with VD, and 75 cognitively healthy older adults participated in this study.

miR-423-5p and miR-92a-3p in Alzheimer's disease: relationship with pathology and cognition.

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small and highly conserved non-coding RNA molecules, have emerged as promising molecular biomarkers due to their regulatory roles in gene expression and stability in blood.

Methods: We used measurements of 64 plasma miRNAs from 145 participants in the Alzheimer's disease Neuroimaging Initiative cohort, including 74 probable AD patients and 71 cognitively normal (CN) older adults. We performed principal component analysis (PCA) with factor rotation for dimension reduction to identify AD-associated principal components (PCs) and their key miRNAs with factor loadings higher than 0.

Standardized Procedures for Blood and Cerebrospinal Fluid Collection and Storage in Neurodegenerative Biomarker Research: A Comprehensive Review.

Blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers are essential tools for the rapid diagnosis and monitoring of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, even minor variations in sample collection and storage procedures can significantly impact biomarker measurements, emphasizing the importance of standardized operating procedures. This review discusses the main pre-analytical factors that influence biomarker stability, outlines the best practices for blood and CSF collection and storage, and extensively analyzes recent research findings to ensure optimal reproducibility in biomarker studies.

Voxel-Based Morphometric Analysis of the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Mini-Mental State Examination-2 in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease in Korea.

Background: This study investigated the association between the Mini-Mental State Examination-2 (MMSE-2) and the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) scores with global cortical gray matter volume changes in healthy older adults, patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) in Korea. Using voxel-based morphometry analysis of structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we explored how these correlations evolve with the progression of cognitive impairment. Additionally, we identified brain regions linked to the newly added components of MMSE-2, such as story memory and processing speed.

Unveiling blood biomarkers for neuronal hyperplasticity: Insights from AD molecular subtyping, a comprehensive review.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder, predominantly affecting the aging population. Early detection through biomarkers is essential for early intervention. Recent sub-classification of AD through extensive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteomic analyses revealed distinct characteristics of each subtype, necessitating tailored therapeutic strategies.

Designing an apoptosis reporter by mutagenesis-based insertion of caspase-3 cleavage motif into green fluorescence protein.

Introduction: Apoptosis is an essential process for organisms and animal development, and its dysregulation is related to the progression of several diseases. Therefore, methods to detect apoptosis are necessary for mechanistic research and drug development. To overcome the disadvantages of traditional methods for detecting apoptosis, a variety of imaging strategies based on enzyme-mediated fluorescence activation have been developed.

Precise progerin targeting using RfxCas13d: A therapeutic avenue for Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome.

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS), an extremely rare progressive genetic disorder, is caused by a point mutation in LMNA that induces progerin production, which disrupts cellular function and triggers premature aging and mortality. Despite extensive efforts, HPGS remains incurable. We successfully implemented a strategy using RfxCas13d to selectively target progerin mRNA at specific junction regions, without unintended cleavage and reduce its expression.

Eligibility for Lecanemab Treatment in the Republic of Korea: Real-World Data From Memory Clinics.

Background And Purpose: We aimed to determine the proportion of Korean patients with early Alzheimer's disease (AD) who are eligible to receive lecanemab based on the United States Appropriate Use Recommendations (US AUR), and also identify the barriers to this treatment.

Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 6,132 patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment or mild amnestic dementia at 13 hospitals from June 2023 to May 2024. Among them, 2,058 patients underwent amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) and 1,199 (58.

JAK3-deficient mini-pigs exhibit impaired lymphoid organogenesis, intestinal structure, and leukocyte/cytokine production.

Introduction: Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mini-pigs are a highly versatile model for human disease research and regenerative medicine.

Objectives: This study aims to generate a novel JAK3-deficient mini-pig model with a human-like immune system and to elucidate how JAK3 plays an important role in immune system.

Methods: JAK3 and RAG2 knockout (KO) mini-pigs were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 and somatic cell nuclear transfer.

Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cell-Specific HMGB1 Knockout Reduces Immune Cell Infiltration and Demyelination in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Models.

Infiltration and activation of peripheral immune cells are critical in the progression of multiple sclerosis and its experimental animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). This study investigates the role of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) in modulating pathogenic T cells infiltrating the central nervous system through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) by using OPC-specific HMGB1 knockout (KO) mice. We found that HMGB1 released from OPCs promotes BBB disruption, subsequently allowing increased immune cell infiltration.

Long-term gait improvement following a CSF tap test in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus patients: an analysis of clinical outcomes.

Objectives: To evaluate the sustained effects of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tap test (TT) on gait parameters over one month in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH).

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 150 patients with iNPH from two university hospitals who underwent CSF TT and quantitative gait analysis. Gait parameters, including walking speed (WS) and stride length (SL), were measured before, within 24 h after, and one month after the CSF TT.

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.

Transcriptome analysis of early- and late-onset Alzheimer's disease in Korean cohorts.

Introduction: The molecular mechanisms underlying early-onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD) and late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) remain incompletely understood, particularly in Asian populations.

Methods: RNA-sequencing was carried out on blood samples from 248 participants in the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital cohort to perform differential gene expression (DGE) and weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Findings were replicated in an independent Korean cohort (N = 275).

Root Extract for Men with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

The prevalence of urological diseases increases with age, and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) are the most common problem. Natural compounds with minimal side effects for the improvement in LUTSs are of ongoing interest. extract (SAGX) has shown potential in preclinical studies for its effects on LUTSs.

Effects of choline alfoscerate on cognitive function and quality of life in type 2 diabetes: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Aims: This study evaluated the effects of choline alfoscerate on cognitive function and quality of life in T2DM patients with mild cognitive decrements.

Materials And Methods: In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, we recruited 36 individuals with T2DM and mild cognitive impairment which was assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 25-28, and randomly assigned them to receive either 1200 mg/day of choline alfoscerate or a placebo. Four additional questionnaires-the 36-Item Short Form Survey, the modified Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly, the Korean version of Activities of Daily Living, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-were investigated at 6 and 12 months and analysed via mixed-effects models for repeated measures.

Lecanemab: Appropriate Use Recommendations by Korean Dementia Association.

Lecanemab (product name Leqembi®) is an anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody treatment approved for use in Korea for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. The Korean Dementia Association has created recommendations for the appropriate use of lecanemab to assist clinicians. These recommendations include selecting patients for administration, necessary pre-administration tests and preparations, administration methods, monitoring for amyloid related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), and communication with patients and caregivers.

Cholinesterase inhibitor use in amyloid PET-negative mild cognitive impairment and cognitive changes.

Background: Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) are prescribed for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and sometimes for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) without knowing underlying pathologies and its effect on cognition. We investigated the frequency of ChEI prescriptions in amyloid-negative MCI and their association with cognitive changes in the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) cohort.

Methods: We included participants with amyloid positron emission tomography (PET)-negative MCI from the ADNI.

Neuropsychological Correlates of Clinical Progression in Subjective Cognitive Decline.

Background: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) refers to self-reported cognitive decline in individuals with normal performance on standardized cognitive tests. Understanding the factors predicting progression from SCD to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is crucial, as approximately 14% of SCD cases progress to dementia and about 27% develop MCI over four years.

Objective: This study aims to identify neuropsychological predictors of progression from SCD to MCI, focusing on cognitive domains assessed through neuropsychological tests.

Application of Numerical Modeling and Finite Element Analysis in Fused Filament Fabrication: A Review.

Additive manufacturing (AM) is not necessarily a new process but an advanced method for manufacturing complex three-dimensional (3D) parts. Among the several advantages of AM are the affordable cost, capability of building objects with complex structures for small-batch production, and raw material versatility. There are several sub-categories of AM, among which is fused filament fabrication (FFF), also commonly known as fused deposition modeling (FDM).

IDH2 regulates macrophage polarization and tumorigenesis by modulating mitochondrial metabolism in macrophages.

Background: Targeting the tumor microenvironment represents an emerging therapeutic strategy for cancer. Macrophages are an essential part of the tumor microenvironment. Macrophage polarization is modulated by mitochondrial metabolism, including oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and reactive oxygen species content.