Biomedical subjects

A Pfeffer

Publications and source records attributed to A Pfeffer.

45 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Magnetic resonance imaging-based hippocampal volumetry in patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type.

A volumetric magnetic resonance imaging assessment of the hippocampal region was done in 50 patients with Alzheimer-type dementia and 25 members of a control group. There were no significant volumetric differences between the right and left hippocampi. The volumetric hippocampal measurements were 39.4% smaller in dementia of the Alzheimer type than in controls. In the differentiation between the analyzed groups of patients, the method had a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 92%. A correlation of the hippocampal volumes with the severity of the dementia and the patient's age was found. The results confirmed the importance of hippocampal atrophy in the etiology of dementia. In vivo the quantitative assessment of the hippocampal formation is a valuable tool in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Frequency and intensity of behavioral and psychological symptoms in the course of Alzheimer's disease].

The aim of the study was: 1) to estimate the occurrence and intensity of some psychopathological symptoms in the course of Alzheimer's disease, and 2) to examine whether the occurrence of behavioral and psychological symptoms increases with the deepening of dementia process among persons with Alzheimer's disease living in their homes with outpatient treatment. The study was conducted among 94 persons (38 men and 56 women ageing from 52 to 86 years (x = 72.4 +/- 6.9), with education: from 2 to 17 years (x = 11.2 +/- 3.7). Three subgroups were selected for study with regard to the intensity of dementia process, estimated according to Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR): very mild (n = 16, x = 71.4 +/- 6.7), mild (n = 43, x = 72.6 +/- 7.9), moderate (n = 35, x = 72.5 +/- 6.9). Subjects in group II and III fulfill diagnostic criteria of dementia according to ICD-10, DSM IV and criteria of probable AD according to NINCDS-ADRDA. In the estimation of occurrence of behavioral and psychological disturbances: Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale--non-cognitive behavior (ADAS-non-cog) and subscale "Change in Personality, Interests, Drive" of Blessed Dementia Scale were used. The results have shown that with the progress of dementia process, the occurrence of the following psychopathological symptoms such as: hallucinations, intensive motor activity, purposeless hyperactivity, pacing, rigidity increases and there is a relinquishment of hobbies. In addition, regardless of the stage of dementia, such behaviors as: apathy, depression, tearfullness, impaired emotional control and disturbances of appetite were observed relatively frequently.

Age Distribution↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Vascular risk factors in demented elderly: analysis of Alzheimer Clinic materials].

UNLABELLED: In recent years evidence is increasing that vascular disease is associated with cognitive impairment and dementia. Moreover, presence of cerebrovascular disease may intensify the clinical symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of vascular risk factors in age and sex matched patients with dementia. We studied 109 patients with AD and 37 patients vascular dementia (VD). DSM-III-R test for dementia, NINCDS-ADRDA guidelines for AD and NINDS-ARIEN for VD were applied. RESULTS: Mean age of dementia onset in AD and VD was 65.8 SD 7.8 and 67.4 SD 7.0 years (p > 0.05), the duration of dementia, MMS and GDS for patients with AD and VD was not significantly different. Arterial hypertension was associated in 51.3% VD and 30.3% AD (p < 0.05), hypotension in 11.1 and 23.6% respectively (p > 0.05), atrial fibrillation was similar in AD and VD, coronary artery disease was presents 64.8% AD and 46.8 VD (p > 0.05) and type 2 diabetes in 21.6% and 10.1% (p > 0.05) respectively. No significant differences in serum lipid profile were found in both groups, except two times higher incidence of normal HDL-cholesterol concentration in AD compare to VD. The relation between alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking and head trauma was similar in both types of dementia. CONCLUSION: Vascular disease and AD have to some extent a shared aetiology, and risk factors that they have in common increase the risk of both disorders independently and vascular disease is perhaps involved in the aetiology of AD.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Interaction evaluation between APOE epsilon 4 alleles and hippocampal atrophy. Preliminary communication].

In CT images the atrophy of medial parts of temporal lobes was evaluated in 60 patients with Alzheimer-type dementia. In the genotype of 30 patients at least one APOE epsilon 4 allele was identified, the other 30 patients served as the control group. The results of in vivo measurements of temporal lobe atrophy in the examined patients did not show statistically significant relations with APOE genotype which was probably due to entirely different nature and application of both tests.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Alpha2-macroglobulin gene polymorphism in patients with Alzheimer's disease].

Recent studies suggest that alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2 m) may play a role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The presence of alpha 2-macroglobulin G/G genotype is thought to increase the risk of AD. The aim of the study was to analyse alpha 2 m polymorphism in two groups: AD patients (n = 60, F = 41, M. = 19, mean age 73.3 +/- 6.3) and non-demented control group (n = 58, F = 36, M. = 22, mean age 73.1 +/- 8.3, mean MMSE score 27). Frequencies of genotypes A/A, A/G, G/G in AD group were: 0.46: 0.42: 0.12. In control group those frequencies were: 0.40: 0.48: 0.12. The lack of statistically significant difference between G/G frequencies in both groups of patients may suggest that alpha 2-macroglobulin G/G genotype is not a risk factor for AD.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[A case of disseminated Lewy bodies disease: clinical and neurological finding].

We introduce a case of diffuse Lewy body disease (DLBD) diagnosed post mortem. Clinically patient was assessed as severe Alzheimer's disease. Typical picture of DLBD was disclosed immunohistochemically; anti-ubiquitin staining revealed numerous temporal, neocortical Lewy bodies, CA2/3 alterations and scanty senile plaques.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The significance of cerebral white matter changes in CT images in Alzheimer's disease].

White matter changes in Alzheimer's disease patients were the subject of the study. One hundred and seventeen cases clinically diagnosed according to NINCDS-ADRDA criteria as probable Alzheimer's disease were assessed. In computer tomography two types of pathological changes were observed; the so called leucoaraiosis and the perivascular focal alterations. Leucoaraiosis appeared in 20% of cases and focal changes were visible only in 4 cases A significant correlation was found between the presence of leucoaraiosis and the age and the presence of coronary disease. Hypertension, diabetes and brain atrophy did not seem to influence the occurrence of white matter alterations of either type.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Apolipoprotein E function in the nervous system].

Human ApoE is a plasma and cerebrospinal fluid protein that serves as a ligand for low density lipoprotein receptors and, through its interaction with these receptors, appears to be involved in the transport of cholesterol and other lipids among the nervous cells. ApoE is synthesized by astrocytes in brain and by macrophages in peripheral nerves during the repair response to tissue injury and regeneration. In the nervous system ApoE may also be involved in processes unrelated to lipid transport, the processes that were completely unsuspected until very recently and have led to the link between ApoE and the neurodegenerative disorder--Alzheimer's disease. The lipoprotein has been found in association with cerebral amyloid deposits and the presence of the epsilon 4 allele constitutes a major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease but does not influence the rate of cognitive decline. It has been shown that ApoE4 promotes fibrillogenesis in vivo and in vitro from amyloid beta peptide and ApoE3 binds to tau protein slowing the initial rate of its phosphorylation and self-assembling into paired helical filaments. This review summarizes the data leading to this conclusion and discusses possible mechanisms: of ApoE involvement based on recent biochemical studies. The clinical application of ApoE level estimation in cerebrospinal fluid and phenotyping is presented.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Non-smoking as risk factor for Alzheimer's disease?].

In several case-control studies an inverse association between smoking and Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been observed. The purpose of this study was to assess the hypothesis that nonsmoking may be a risk factor for AD. A case-control study was conducted on 88 patients with the clinical diagnosis of "probable" AD and 54 controls matched for age and sex. Patients and controls were compared for number of cigarette smokers versus nonsmokers and for male to female ratio as well. In the group of patients onset of AD, duration of illness and decline of mental function documented by GDS scale was estimated in smokers in comparison with nonsmokers. Among the variables studied statistical significance reached predominance female to male in nonsmokers only. As female predominance is also observed in patients with AD, the significance of nonsmoking as a risk factor for AD has to be treated carefully.

Age Factors↗