Abstract
Aliev et al (Implication of the nutritional and non-nutritional factors in the context of preservation of cognitive performance in patients with dementia/depression and Alzheimer disease) note that Alzheimer’s disease is a systemic process that involves multiple pathophysiological factors, and that a combination of pharmacotherapy and nonpharmacological interventions is used for management. The nonpharmacological interventions are included to increase sensory input through physical and mental activities and implement nutritional interventions such as diet modification and vitamins and nutraceutical therapy. Their review highlights research findings regarding treatment strategies aimed at modifying natural course of the disease and delaying cognitive decline through simultaneous implementation of pharmacological and nonpharmacological modulators as standardized treatment protocols.
Cipriani et al (Delusional misidentification syndromes and dementia: a border zone between neurology and psychiatry) examine delusional misidentification syndromes in patients with dementia. They searched electronic databases for articles on delusional misidentification syndrome in patients with dementia using the search terms “delusional misidentification syndrome, Capgras syndrome, Fregoli syndrome, reduplicative paramnesia, and dementia.” They found that delusional misidentification syndromes are a frequent problem in dementia. The violence and dangerousness in patients having these syndromes is well documented. Although the patients with Lewy body dementia often have delusions, it is unclear whether different delusional syndromes are specific for the different degenerative diseases. Also, it is unknown whether there are prognostic or management differences between the different delusional subtypes. This work has implications for patient care and safety.
In Caregivers of patients with dementia in Chinese mainland: a retrospective analysis, Liu et al systematically reviewed publications on Chinese dementia caregivers. The earliest study on caregivers of Chinese patients with dementia was published in 1990. Most studies were reported in Chinese. In all, 85% of the studies were published between 2006 and 2012, while 42% were carried out in the most developed regions. Liu et al concluded that the number of publications on Chinese caregivers of dementia has increased since 2006. However, attention needs to be given to future studies to improve sample size, interventions, and outcome design so the caregiver burden is reduced and care in maximized.
Christensen et al (Seeking safety: predictors of Hurricane evacuation of community-dwelling families affected by Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder in South Florida) explore how dyads of community-dwelling individuals with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder and their caregivers plan to respond to hurricane evacuation warnings. Predictors of evacuation for a category 1 to 3 storm include (1) a younger age of the person with a dementia diagnosis, (2) the caregiver living in a different residence than the person with dementia, (3) lack of hurricane shutters, and (4) lower income. A dyad is more likely to evacuate in a category 4 or 5 hurricane if there is (1) a younger age of person with a dementia diagnosis, (2) a more recent diagnosis of dementia, (3) a residence in an evacuation zone, and (4) they report needing a shelter. They concluded that emergency management teams, especially those who assist with special needs shelters, may benefit from their guidelines to estimate service usage and needs.
Chen et al (Gene expression profile and functional analysis of Alzheimer's disease) note the need to investigate the diagnostic and therapeutic targets for Alzheimer’s disease. They analyzed gene expression profile of Alzheimer’s disease with bioinformatics methods. They identified that an Alzheimer’s disease gene signature was associated with 6 different brain regions. Functional analysis revealed that biological processes involved with metabolism, protein ubiquitination, and vasculature development were dysregulated in Alzheimer’s disease, and synaptic signaling pathways were found to be perturbed. Based on their data, they offered potential targets to be explored for intervention.
Finally, Zare-zardini et al (Antioxidant and cholinesterase inhibitory activity of a new peptide from Ziziphus jujuba fruits) investigated a new peptide from Ziziphus jujuba fruits for its inhibitory activity against acetyl cholinesterase and butyryl cholinesterase enzymes as well as antioxidant activity. This peptide was introduced as Snakin-Z. The Snakin-Z displayed considerable cholinesterase inhibition against acetyl cholinesterase and butyrl cholinesterase. The Snakin-Z also had high antioxidant activity. They concluded that Snakin-Z may be beneficial in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. However, more detailed research is needed as in vivo testing has not been done.