American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Cognitive Fluctuations as a Challenge for the Assessment of Decision-Making Capacity in Patients With Dementia
Decision-making capacity (DMC) is an indispensable prerequisite for medical treatment choices, including consent to treatment, treatment discontinuation, and refusal of treatment. In patients with dementia, DMC is often affected. A particular challenge in assessing DMC are cognitive fluctuations that may lead to a fluctuation in DMC as well. Cognitive fluctuations are a diagnostic core feature of dementia with Lewy bodies and occur in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. In this article, these challenges are discussed and suggestions for assessing the DMC of patients with dementia with cognitive fluctuations a...
Source: American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias - June 1, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Trachsel, M., Hermann, H., Biller-Andorno, N. Tags: Current Topics in Management Source Type: research

The Impact of Living Arrangements on Dementia Caregiver's Sleep Quality
In the United States half of the 15 million informal caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia (PWDs) do not live with the PWD. This paper compares the sleep quality and health of 59 community-dwelling caregivers living with the PWD and 21 living apart from the PWD. Variables of interest were caregiving experience (hours caregiving, problematic behaviors of the PWD, caregivers' perception of dementia severity), sleep quality, and health (perceived health, stress, and depressive symptoms). Parametric unpaired t tests were used to calculate the differences between key variables. Multiple regression...
Source: American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias - June 1, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Simpson, C., Carter, P. Tags: Current Topics in Care Source Type: research

Clinical Compliance of Donepezil in Treating Alzheimer's Disease in Taiwan
Conclusion: Although there are some limitations in our study, these findings indicate that early intervention with ChEI in patients with AD should be emphasized and may lead to a better clinical adherence. (Source: American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias)
Source: American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias - June 1, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Chang, Y.-P., Yang, C.-H., Chou, M.-C., Chen, C.-H., Yang, Y.-H. Tags: Current Topics in Care Source Type: research

Delusion of Pregnancy: An Unusual Symptom in the Context of Dementia
Conclusion: Psychotic phenomena such as delusion of pregnancy may be a feature in some cases of dementia. If this bizarre features of dementia appears as early presentation of FTD whose usual onset is in the presenium, it may be mistaken for schizophrenia. (Source: American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias)
Source: American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias - June 1, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Cipriani, G., Di Fiorino, M. Tags: Review Source Type: research

Firearms in Frail Hands: An ADL or A Public Health Crisis!
The incidence of neurocognitive disorders, which may impair the ability of older adults to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), rises with age. Depressive symptoms are also common in older adults and may affect ADLs. Safe storage and utilization of firearms are complex ADLs, which require intact judgment, executive function, and visuospatial ability, and may be affected by cognitive impairment. Depression or cognitive impairment may cause paranoia, delusions, disinhibition, apathy, or aggression and thereby limit the ability to safely utilize firearms. These problems may be superimposed upon impaired mobility, arthri...
Source: American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias - June 1, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Patel, D., Syed, Q., Messinger-Rapport, B. J., Rader, E. Tags: Opinions and Controversies Source Type: research

Using Party Horns to Test Respiratory Function in Patients With Dementia
This study assessed the utility of party horns for quick, simple respiratory function testing in 66 inpatients with dementia to maintain safe eating activity. Relationships of forced vital capacity (FVC) to Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score and complete extension when blowing 40- and 80-cm party horns were examined. The FVC differed significantly by both MMSE score (P = .000) and party horn score (P = .000). Significant differences in FVC were found between groups categorized by MMSE score and in groups categorized by the ability to extend both party horns. Multiple regression analyses performed on possible FVC in...
Source: American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias - May 12, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Higashijima, M., Shiozu, H. Tags: Current Topics in Research Source Type: research

Correlates of Pain Intensity in Community-Dwelling Individuals With Mild to Moderate Dementia
Conclusion: Participant-reported pain in individuals with dementia appears to be a unique construct for which other psychosocial indicators cannot be substituted. Therefore, directly asking community-dwelling individuals with mild to moderate dementia about their pain is a critical component of assessment. (Source: American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias)
Source: American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias - May 12, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Breland, J. Y., Barrera, T. L., Snow, A. L., Sansgiry, S., Stanley, M. A., Wilson, N., Amspoker, A. B., Kunik, M. E. Tags: Current Topics in Research Source Type: research

Induction of GADD34 Regulates the Neurotoxicity of Amyloid {beta}
In this study, we found that GADD34 was increased in the brains of AD transgenic J20 mice. The deposition of β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide is the main component of neurotic plaques in AD brain. Thus, we examined the effect of Aβ in the expression of GADD34 in human SH-SY5Y cells in vitro. Amyloid β (Aβ1-42) treatment led to increased expression of GADD34. Pretreatment with 50 nmol/L of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) inhibitor SP600125 abolished the upregulation of GADD34. c-Jun silencing by transfection with c-Jun small-interfering RNA abolished the effects of Aβ1-42 on the expression of GADD34. Impo...
Source: American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias - May 12, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Xu, N., Xiao, Z., Zou, T., Huang, Z. Tags: Current Topics in Research Source Type: research

A Descriptive Study of Elderly Patients With Dementia Who Died Wandering Outdoors in Kochi Prefecture, Japan
This was a descriptive study of elderly persons with dementia who were found dead after becoming lost in the community. Nineteen forensic autopsy cases were performed at Kochi Medical School, Japan. The mean age of the patients (9 males and 10 females) was 82.1 ± 6.6 years. Causes of death were drowning (n = 8), trauma (n = 5), hypothermia (n = 2), and debilitation possibly due to fatigue (n = 1) or were unknown (n = 3). Thirteen (68%) individuals had been reported missing, most at least 6 hours after they had left. They moved on foot (n = 14), by car (n = 3), or by bicycle (n = 2). Distances from residences to spot...
Source: American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias - May 12, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Furumiya, J., Hashimoto, Y. Tags: Current Topics in Research Source Type: research

The Patterns of Inheritance in Early-Onset Dementia: Alzheimer's Disease and Frontotemporal Dementia
Conclusion: Early-onset dementia does not appear to be a strongly inherited autosomal dominant condition. The majority of patients were sporadic. Known mutations were uncommon and do not explain the total autosomal dominant burden. (Source: American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias)
Source: American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias - May 12, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Jarmolowicz, A. I., Chen, H.-Y., Panegyres, P. K. Tags: Current Topics in Research Source Type: research

Exercise, Sedentary Pastimes, and Cognitive Performance in Healthy Older Adults
Conclusions: Study highlights: negative impact of sedentary pastimes on executive function, need for additional investigation of sedentary behavior, NEPA, the impact of addictions upon activity in late life. (Source: American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias)
Source: American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias - May 12, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Steinberg, S. I., Sammel, M. D., Harel, B. T., Schembri, A., Policastro, C., Bogner, H. R., Negash, S., Arnold, S. E. Tags: Current Topics in Research Source Type: research

Evaluation of a Pet-Assisted Living Intervention for Improving Functional Status in Assisted Living Residents With Mild to Moderate Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Study
Conclusion: Evidence supports that the PAL program helps preserve/enhance function of AL residents with CI. Additional study is required to evaluate the duration and predictors of effectiveness of the PAL intervention. (Source: American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias)
Source: American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias - May 12, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Friedmann, E., Galik, E., Thomas, S. A., Hall, P. S., Chung, S. Y., McCune, S. Tags: Current Topics in Research Source Type: research

Strengthening the Dementia Care Triad: Identifying Knowledge Gaps and Linking to Resources
This article describes a project to identify the needs of family caregivers and health care providers caring for persons with dementia. Participants included 128 caregivers, who completed a survey, and 27 health care providers, who participated in a focus group and completed a survey. Caregivers reported their primary source of information about the disease was the doctor; however, the majority also reported they were primarily informed of medications and not about needed resources. Health care providers identified limited time with patients and families, and lack of awareness of community services, as their main challenge...
Source: American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias - May 12, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Jensen, C. J., Inker, J. Tags: Current Topics in Research Source Type: research

Benefits of Mindfulness Training for Patients With Progressive Cognitive Decline and Their Caregivers
In conclusion, mindfulness training can be beneficial for patients and their caregivers, it can be delivered at low cost to combined groups, and it is worthy of further investigation. (Source: American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias)
Source: American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias - May 12, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Paller, K. A., Creery, J. D., Florczak, S. M., Weintraub, S., Mesulam, M.- M., Reber, P. J., Kiragu, J., Rooks, J., Safron, A., Morhardt, D., O'Hara, M., Gigler, K. L., Molony, J. M., Maslar, M. Tags: Current Topics in Research Source Type: research

Examining Trends in the Administration of "As Needed" Medications to Inpatients With Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia
Rationale: The use of "pro re nata" (PRN) medication in patients with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) is common but may be a source of inappropriate medication administration. Objective: To identify trends in the administration of PRN medications to inpatients with BPSD. Methods: Retrospective chart audits were completed on inpatients with dementia who had PRN medications prescribed for aggression, agitation, or insomnia. Data collected included age, sex, time of day, day of week, medication used, and dementia diagnosis. Additionally, data regarding administration of ranged doses and concurrent u...
Source: American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias - May 12, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Neumann, R. D., Faris, P., Klassen, R. Tags: Current Topics in Care Source Type: research