轻度认知障碍的记忆特点及海马体积和^1 H—MRS相关研究

目的 探讨轻度认知功能障碍(MCI)和轻度Alzheimer病(AD)的记忆特点及记忆功能评定、海马体积测定及质子磁共振波谱(1H-MRS)对MCI和轻度AD的诊断和鉴别诊断的作用.方法 用韦氏记忆测验修订版(WMS-R)和听觉词语学习测验(AVLT)分别对各30例MCI患者、轻度AD患者和健康对照行记忆功能评分,并对海马体积和内侧颞叶1H-MRS进行分析.比较各组问记忆功能评分、海马体积和各代谢物比值的差别,并进行相关分析.结果 MCI和轻度AD组WMS-R的因子分和记忆商均低于对照组(P<0.05),MCI和轻度AD组的视觉、听觉、触觉短期记忆和记忆商有显著差异(P<0.05).MCI和轻度AD组的7次回忆正确数均低于对照组(P<0.05),延迟回忆降幅最大;MCI和轻度AD组7次回忆均有显著差异(P<0.05),延迟回忆差异最大.MCI和轻度AD组的海马体积显著小于对照组(P<0.05),但MCI组和轻度AD组之间无显著差异(P>0.05).轻度AD组和MCI组的NAA/Cr、NAA/MI显著低于对照组,但MI/Cr显著高于对照组(P<0.05).MCI组和轻度AD组的左侧MI/Cr、NAA/MI有显著差异(P<0.05).MCI和/或轻度AD组的.AVLT的第3次回忆及延迟回忆与海马体积及NAA/Cr、NAA/MI明显正相关(P<0.05).结论 MCI有和轻度AD相似的情景记忆的全面损害,但不同于正常老化.WMS-R和AVLT能很好地区分正常老化、MCI和AD.海马体积和内侧颞叶1H-MRS是MCI和轻度AD诊断和鉴别的重要工具.     

早发和晚发遗忘型轻度认知损害与阿尔茨海默病的神经心理学比较研究

目的:比较早发性与晚发性阿尔茨海默病(AD)、早发性和晚发性遗忘型轻度认知损害(aMCI)的神经心理学表现。方法:记忆障碍门诊患者根据首诊年龄分组,70岁为晚发组。接受简明精神状态量表(MMSE)、听觉词语学习测验(AVMT)、逻辑记忆测验(LM)、斯特鲁普(Stroop)色词测验(CWT)、Rey-Osterrich复杂图形测验(CFT)、言语流畅性测验(VFT)、连线测验(TMT)、画钟测验(CDT)等。结果:共257例患者,分为4组,分别为早发AD34例,晚发AD78例,早发aMCI58例,晚发aMCI87例;早发、晚发AD间大部分神经心理学表现相似;早发aMCI患者在大部分测验上的表现优于晚发患者,听觉词语延迟回忆、言语流畅性、TMTB耗时等项目的差异最为显著(P<0.01)。晚发aMCI患者逻辑记忆即刻、延迟回忆更佳。结论:早发与晚发AD认知损害较为相似,晚发aMCI患者的认知损害较早发aMCI患者更为弥漫。     

阿尔茨海默病与遗忘型轻度认知功能障碍患者的记忆损害

目的分析阿尔茨海默病(AD)及遗忘型轻度认知功能障碍(a MCI)患者的记忆损害。方法对25例AD患者和28例遗忘型轻度认知功能障碍患者和25例健康对照者进行多项神经心理学检查,包括简明精神状态量(MMSE)、蒙特利尔认知评估量表(Mo CA)、WMS-RC(韦氏记忆量表中文修订版)。结果 AD组MMSE、Mo CA总分明显低于a MCI组(P0.05),a MCI组MMSE、Mo CA评分明显低于正常对照组(P0.05);AD组与a MCI组及正常对照组相比,记忆商降低(P0.05)。除经历、定向外,各分测验分数降低;a MCI与对照组相比记忆商降低,短时记忆中(视觉再生、联想学习)分数明显降低,长时记忆和瞬间记忆无明显差异。结论 AD患者与a MCI患者均出现不同程度记忆损害,AD患者瞬时记忆、短时记忆、长时记忆损害明显,a MCI患者短时记忆出现损害,瞬时记忆、长时记忆无显著变化。     

精神分裂症患者与其健康同胞的注意和执行功能障碍的对照研究

用威斯康星卡片分类测验(WCST)和持续操作测验(CPT)检查患者组50例及其健康同胞50例和正常对照组45例。结果:在WCMT中,患者组和同胞组总测验次数、持续错误数、随机错误数均高于对照组,P<0.01。在CPT中,患者组评分(28.4±4.0)低     

阿尔茨海默病的执行功能障碍与ApoE基因相关性研究

目的了解阿尔茨海默病(AD)的执行功能障碍的临床特征以及与ApoE基因多态性的相关性。方法采用简易痴呆筛选量表(MMSE)、汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD)、Fuld物体记忆测验(FOM)、词语流畅性测验(RVR)、日常生活行为量表(ADL)、画钟测验(CDT)及Hachinski缺血积分量表等认知功能测评及ApoE基因检查。结果认知功能检查显示:AD患者的记忆、执行功能、计算力较健康对照组有显著性差异,结合ApoE基因检查显示带有e4者认知功能损害更明显。结论AD的认知功能较健康对照组明显减退,且带有ApoEε4者损害更严重。ε4是AD的风险基因。     

变应性鼻炎患者肺功能、气道高反应性的改变及临床意义

目的探讨变应性鼻炎(AR)患者肺功能、气道高反应性(AHR)改变及其临床意义。方法对100例成人AR患者(AR组)及30例正常体检者(对照组)进行肺功能的检查,比较两组肺功能指标,AR组筛选FEV1≥70%预计值的患者行组胺支气管激发试验(BPT)测定,并将AR患者按病程、症状持续时间及病情严重程度分组,比较不同组间AR患者BPT结果。结果 AR组肺功能指标明显低于对照组(P0.05),60.4%AR患者BPT阳性,长病程组较短病程组、持续性AR组较间歇性AR组、轻度AR组较中-重度AR组BPT阳性率高(P0.05)。结论 AR患者大部分已存在肺功能尤其小气道功能的改变及AHR,病程长、持续性、中-重度AR患者较病程短、间歇性、轻度患者呈现出更高水平的AHR。     

遗忘型轻度认知障碍和轻度阿尔茨海默病的认知损害特征研究

目的明确遗忘型轻度认知障碍（amnesia-mild cognitive impairment,a-MCI）患者和轻度阿尔茨海默病（alzheimer＇s disease,AD）患者的认知损害特征。方法对13例a-MCI患者、22例轻度AD患者和37例正常对照进行全面的认知测查,除简易精神状态检查（mini-mental state examination,MMSE）外,测验可覆盖4个认知域：记忆力、信息处理速度、执行功能、视空间结构能力,进行组间比较。结果 3组患者在年龄、受教育程度及性别组成上匹配。轻度AD组的所有认知测验成绩都差于正常对照组,而且多数测验较a-MCI组也有减退。a-MCI组的MMSE、记忆相关测验以及多个执行功能相关测验结果都差于正常对照组,信息处理速度和视空间结构能力相关测验与对照组间无统计学差异。结论轻度AD患者表现为全面的认知功能减退。a-MCI患者除存在显著的记忆障碍外,还存在执行功能的异常,信息处理速度和视空间结构能力尚正常。     

存在血管危险因素的老年人脑白质损害与认知功能障碍的关系

目的探讨存在血管危险因素老年人不同程度脑白质损害(WML)与认知障碍的关系。方法选择WML患者195例,根据WML程度分为轻度组(54例),中度组(63例),重度组(78例),另选健康体检者70例作为对照组。所有受试者行神经心理学测试,包括简易智能状态检查量表、蒙特利尔认知评估量表、听觉词语记忆、逻辑记忆、复杂图形记忆、Stroop色词测验、连线测验B、相似性、言语流畅、数字广度、搜钟和画钟测验。结果与对照组比较,随着WML程度加重,轻、中、重度组血管危险因素明显升高(P<0.05);轻度组记忆、注意、语言及部分执行功能评分明显较对照组差(P<0.05,P<0.01),重度组各项测验评分明显较其他各组差(P<0.01)。各项测验评分与WML严重程度评分呈负相关(P<0.01)。结论血管危险因素可加重WML;轻度WML即对认知功能有影响,重度WML表现广泛认知损害;认知障碍程度与WML严重程度呈正相关。     

快速认知筛查测验识别老年轻度认知功能障碍的效果

目的评价老年人快速认知筛查测验识别轻度认知功能障碍(MCI)和早期痴呆(AD)的效能。方法 60岁及以上的轻度AD患者84例、MCI患者112例、正常老人(NC)196例,采用老年人快速认知筛查测验(QCST-E)、简易精神状态检查量表(MMSE)、日常生活能力(ADL)量表、临床痴呆评定量表(CDR)、华文认知能力量表(CCAS)进行认知功能评估。QCST-E分别测量12个认知领域:即刻记忆、实物命名、视觉空间、言语流畅性、数字广度、抽象能力、听觉模仿、视觉模仿、动作指令、延迟记忆、简单计算、时空定向,最高总分83分,得分越低,认知功能损害越严重。结果轻度AD组、MCI组、NC组QCST-E总分分别为(51.47±3.91)分、(61.47±2.96)分、(72.60±3.01)分,差异显著(P<0.01)。QCST-E各领域和总分与年龄、受教育年限及MMSE、ADL、CCAS得分显著相关(均P<0.01)。根据不同文化程度制定QCST-E的划界分,其中QCST-E总分识别MCI与正常老人的总体敏感度为89.6%、特异度为94.5%,曲线下面积(AUC)为0.903(95%CI:0.857~0.963);识别MCI与轻度AD的总体敏感度为81.7%、特异度为88.6%,AUC值为0.898(95%CI:0.845~0.940)。结论老年人快速认知筛查测验内容全面、简便易行,识别MCI的敏感度和特异度良好。     

早期帕金森病患者嗅觉障碍扩散张量成像

目的 应用扩散张量成像(diffusion tensor imaging,DTI)探索早期帕金森病(PD)患者嗅觉损害与嗅觉中枢相关白质纤维结构完整性的关系.方法 应用UPSIT测试系统对24例诊断明确的早期原发性PD患者(Hoehn-Yahr分级≤Ⅱ级)及24例年龄和性别、受教育程度匹配的健康志愿者进行嗅觉功能检测,并与病情严重程度、分级及病程进行相关分析.所有受试者均接受DTI检查,测量嗅觉中枢相关区域FA值,并进行统计分析.结果 PD患者的嗅觉评分较健康对照组明显减低(t=6.22;P＜0.001),但与病情严重程度(r =0.21;P=0.39)、Hoehn-Yahr分级(r=-0.31;P=0.22)以及病程长短(r=-0.21;P=0.41)均无明显相关性.重度嗅觉障碍PD组初级嗅皮质区域的FA值较其余各组均明显减低,中、重度嗅觉障碍PD组直回的FA值较对照组及轻度嗅觉障碍PD组亦有减低,差异具有统计学意义.结论 在早期PD患者中即存在嗅觉中枢相关区域FA值的减低,这种嗅觉中枢相关区域白质纤维束结构完整性的破坏直接导致了早期PD患者嗅觉功能的损害.     

Effects of spaced retrieval training (SRT) on cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients

Among the non-pharmacological treatments of dementia, SRT is a good candidate strategy for rehabilitating the cognition of AD patients. This study investigates the efficacy of SRT on the cognition of AD patients with very mild to mild disease. We administered 24-session SRT to 13 very mild and 6 mild AD patients. To assess the change of the neuropsychological performance after SRT, we performed the Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease neuropsychological battery (CERAD-K), the logical memory test (LMT), the Benton visual retention test A (BVRT-A), and the digit span test (DST). All tests were administered both before and after SRT. Retention spans were significantly increased up to 24 min after SRT in both very mild and mild AD patients (p < 0.05), and this improvement was maintained for different sets of target information. Retainable words were also significantly increased after SRT in the very mild AD patients (p = 0.007). However, we observed no changes in neuropsychological performance after SRT. Although we did not observe improvements in the neuropsychological tests following SRT, our results suggest that the treatment was an effective intervention for improving the memory of very mild to mild AD patients, and could potentially improve learning and retention outside the training session.     

Donepezil for the treatment of behavioral disturbances in Alzheimer's disease: a 6-month open trial

Behavioral and psychological signs of dementia (BPSD) are common clinical characteristics of Alzheimer's disease (AD). They result in patient and caregivers distress, decreased quality of life and placement in nursing homes. Treatment of BPSD with antidepressant and antipsychotic medications is not without complications and serious adverse effects. The acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI) show preliminary promise as psychotropic agents possibly able to improve BPSD in AD patients. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of donepezil (an AChEI) as an only treatment for AD patients with BPSD. Ten consecutive AD patients hospitalized at a psychogeriatric ward due to BPSD were treated with donepezil for 24 weeks. Effect was measured using the NeuroPsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Significant reduction in the presence of delusions, irritability/lability and disinhibition were achieved after 24 weeks of donepezil treatment. This was accompanied by reduction in caregivers distress. The drug was well tolerated and all patients completed the study. Our findings complement the preliminary data that donepezil as well as other AChEIs are promising candidates for further study as psychotropic agents positively affecting BPSD in AD patients.     

阿尔茨海默病患者出现精神行为症状的相关因素分析

目的 探讨阿尔茨海默病（AD）患者出现精神行为症状（BPSD）的相关因素。方法 对门诊和住院的155例符合精神障碍诊断与统计手册第4版（DSM-IV）诊断标准的AD患者，进行自制调查表、AD病理行为评分表（BEHAVE-AD）、痴呆行为量表（DBD）评定。结果 AD患者BPSD的相关因素分析发现：（1）AD患者DBD总分、BEHAVE-AD及妄想总分均与AD患者性格、年龄、婚姻状况及发病年龄相关，行为紊乱总分与患者的年龄、婚姻状况、性格相关，情感障碍与性格、发病前的生活事件及病程相关，焦虑恐惧与AD患者发病前的生活事件及病程相关，节律紊乱与性格和嗜好相关，攻击行为与婚姻状态及性格有关；（2）线性回归分析发现性格、婚姻状况对DBD与BEHAVE-AD总分有较大的影响。结论 AD患者BPSD的相关因素有年龄、性格、婚姻状况、嗜好、发病前生活事件、发病年龄、AD病程等；关系较为密切的有：性格、婚姻状况；推测外向性格和婚姻不稳定有可能是AD患者出现BPSD的危险因素。     

Pharmacological treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a challenge for physician, families, and patients. An individualized, multimodal treatment plan addressing the treatment of cognitive, behavioural and functional decline is essential. Aim of the paper is to describe the principal components of the treatment plan of AD patients. METHODS: A review of the recent literature was performed. RESULTS: Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) play an important role in the improvement of cognitive decline in mild to moderate AD, even if the improvement is not permanent. Data obtained from the CRONOS project (involving about 500 Alzheimer Evaluation Units) replicate in the real world those obtained in controlled trials, confirming that AD patients may benefit from AChEI treatment. Treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) requires education of caregivers, non pharmacological interventions, identification and treatment of medical illnesses or environmental precipitating conditions, specific pharmacological treatment. Traditional neuroleptics are widely used for BPSD treatment, but limited data support their use, and side-effects are frequent and severe. Atypical antipsychotics are effective in treating BPSD, and safer than traditional neuroleptics. However, the increased risk of cerebrovascular accident in patients taking risperidone or olanzapine limited currently their use in demented subjects. The use of antidepressant drugs, as well as behavioral approach, may improve depressive symptoms frequently accompanying AD. CONCLUSIONS: Although at present there is no cure for AD, several drug treatments and care strategies may improve or stabilize cognitive and behavioral symptoms, and improve the quality of life of patients and families.     

Behavioral and psychological symptoms, cognitive impairment and caregiver burden related to Alzheimer's disease patients treated in an outpatient memory clinic

AIM: The relationships among behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), cognitive impairment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and the caregiver burden of their caregivers were investigated in an outpatient memory clinic. METHODS: Forty-six pairs of AD patients and their family caregivers were involved in this study. Neuropsychiatry Inventory (NPI) was used to estimate BPSD, to which memory symptoms were added as a subcategory of BPSD. MMSE, word fluency, clock drawing test and category-cued memory test were used for cognitive measurement. Zarit burden interview (ZBI) and CES-D were used to assess caregiver burden. RESULTS: Among 11 BPSD subcategories, memory symptoms, apathy, depression, delusion, aggression and anxiety were prevalent BPSD was a strong determinant of caregiver burden. Among BPSD symptoms, anxiety, aggression and aberrant motor behavior were significantly related to ZBL In terms of the relationship between BPSD and cognitive impairment, the scores for delusion and apathy were significantly related to the cognitive decline. On the other hand, patients who showed symptoms related to memory and depression had higher cognitive function than those who did not. CONCLUSION: These analyses will contribute to better assessment of AD patients and their caregivers, hopefully resulting in better support for them.     

Behavioral and psychologic symptoms in Alzheimer's disease: results of the REAL.FR study

Behavioral and Psychological Signs and Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) are important manifestations of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and other forms of dementia, because they are associate with care-giver distress, increase the likelihood of institutionalization, and may be associated with more rapid cognitive decline In this study (REAL.FR for Réseau sur la maladie d'Alzheimer Fran?ais) we prospectively used the Neuropsychiatric Inventory NPI to examine BPSD. 255 AD patients with a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score between 11 and 20 and 244 AD patients with a MMSE between 21 and 30 were examined. Factor analysis was carried out leading to three different syndromes according to the level of cognitive impairment. BPSD were detected in 92.5% of the patients with a MMSE between 11 and 20, and in 84% of the patients with a MMSE between 21 and 30. Apathy was the most common abnormality, followed by anxiety and dysphoria. These results in a French cohort of patients with AD underline the importance of the evaluation and finally of the treatment of BPSD.     

胆碱酯酶抑制剂治疗阿尔茨海默病患者伴发痴呆的行为和精神症状的研究进展

阿尔茨海默病是一种中枢神经系统原发性退行性疾病,其临床特征以痴呆综合症和精神病性症状为主,其中痴呆的行为和精神症状对患者及照料者有重要影响。针对痴呆的行为和精神症状抗精神病药物已成为阿尔茨海默病研究的一大热点,本文对胆碱酯酶抑制剂治疗痴呆的行为和精神症状研究进展进行综述。     

Cognitive effects of treating obstructive sleep apnea in Alzheimer's disease: a randomized controlled study

OBJECTIVES: To examine whether treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) results in better cognitive function. DESIGN: Randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial. Participants were randomized to therapeutic CPAP for 6 weeks or placebo CPAP for 3 weeks followed by therapeutic CPAP for 3 weeks. SETTING: General clinical research center. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty‐two men and women with mild to moderate AD and OSA. INTERVENTION: CPAP. MEASUREMENTS: A complete neuropsychological test battery was administered before treatment and at 3 and at 6 weeks. RESULTS: A comparison of subjects randomized to 3 weeks of therapeutic versus placebo CPAP suggested no significant improvements in cognition. A comparison of pre‐ and posttreatment neuropsychological test scores after 3 weeks of therapeutic CPAP in both groups showed a significant improvement in cognition. The study was underpowered to make definitive statements about improvements within specific cognitive constructs, although exploratory post hoc examination of change scores for individual tests suggested improvements in episodic verbal learning and memory and some aspects of executive functioning such as cognitive flexibility and mental processing speed. CONCLUSION: OSA may aggravate cognitive dysfunction in dementia and thus may be a reversible cause of cognitive loss in patients with AD. OSA treatment seems to improve some cognitive functioning. Clinicians who care for patients with AD should consider implementing CPAP treatment when OSA is present.     

Impact of cholinesterase inhibitors on behavioral and psychological symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease: A meta-analysis

Objective

To determine the efficacy of cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) in improving the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Data sources

We searched MEDLINE, Cochrane Registry, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) from 1966 to 2007. We limited our search to English Language, full text, published articles and human studies.

Data extraction

We included randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of donepezil, rivastigmine, or galantamine in managing BPSD displayed by AD patients. Using the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines, we critically appraised all studies and included only those with an attrition rate of less than 40%, concealed measurement of the outcomes, and intention to treat analysis of the collected data. All data were imputed into pre-defined evidence based tables and were pooled using the Review Manager 4.2.1 software for data synthesis.

Results

We found 12 studies that met our inclusion criteria but only nine of them provided sufficient data for the meta-analysis. Among patients with mild to severe AD and in comparison to placebo, ChEIs as a class had a beneficial effects on reducing BPSD with a standard mean difference (SMD) of −0.10 (95% confidence interval [CI]; −0.18, −0.01) and a weighted mean difference (WMD) of −1.38 neuropsychiatry inventory point (95% CI; −2.30, −0.46). In studies with mild AD patients, the WMD was −1.92 (95% CI; −3.18, −0.66); and in studies with severe AD patients, the WMD was −0.06 (95% CI; −2.12, +0.57).

Conclusion

Cholinesterase inhibitors lead to a statistical significant reduction in BPSD among patients with AD, yet the clinical relevance of this effect remains unclear.     

A comparison of autogenic drainage and the active cycle of breathing techniques in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases

PURPOSE: The effects of a long-term treatment of autogenic drainage (AD) and the active cycle of breathing techniques (ACBT) were evaluated in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: Thirty clinically stable male COPD patients were randomly assigned to AD or the ACBT treatment for a 20-day treatment period. Patients were assessed through pulmonary function tests, arterial blood gases, a 6-minute walking test, and a modified Borg Scale before, and immediately after the walking test. RESULTS: Autogenic drainage improved forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, peak expiratory flow rate, forced expiratory volume from 25 to 75%, chronic hypercapnia, arterial oxygenation, exercise performance, and dyspnea perception during exercise. The ACBT increased forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow rate, arterial oxygenation and exercise performance. Peak expiratory flow rate increased in AD more than in ACBT. In AD treatment, the increase in oxygen saturation was significantly higher than in ACBT treatment. Chronic hypercapnia improved significantly in AD treatment than in ACBT. No differences were found in other lung function parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Autogenic drainage is as effective as the ACBT in cleaning secretions and improving lung functions. These techniques can be used in stable COPD patients according to the patients' and the physiotherapists' preferences.