Alzheimer Disease: Albarède JL

Petit H, Albarède JL, Bakchine S, Boulliat J, Cogneau J, Darcourt G, Dubois B, Forette F, Franco A, Héres J, Hinault P, Laurent B, Léger JM, Marin La Meslée R, Montagne B, Poncet M, Robert P, Sorbé G, Touchon J, Velas B, Vetel JM. · Neurologue (Clinique Neurologique, CHRU Roger Salengro 59037 Lille Cedex, France. · Rev Neurol (Paris). · Pubmed #10844378 No free full text.

This publication has no abstract.

Andrieu S, Balardy L, Gillette-Guyonnet S, Bocquet H, Cantet C, Albarède JL, Vellas B, Grand A. · Inserm U558, laboratoire d'épidémiologie, faculté de médecine, 37, allées Jules-Guesdes, 31073 Toulouse, France. · Rev Med Interne. · Pubmed #14710456 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Most AD patients are cared for at home by informal caregivers. The effect of different kind of stressors on caregivers has been referred to as caregiver burden. OBJECTIVE: To determine (1) the level of burden of informal caregivers of Alzheimer's patients in a French national sample; (2) the factors associated with a high level of burden. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of informal caregivers of the demented elderly referred to a psychogeriatric, geriatric or neurological service. The principal caregivers of 531 patients with mild to moderate dementia attending an outpatient cognitive assessment clinic were interviewed via a structured questionnaire that focused upon caregiver-related characteristics such as whether they were living with the patients, their feelings of burden assessed by the Zarit Burden Interview and patients were examined at baseline to evaluate their cognitive, behavioral and functional limitation. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis showed that patients' characteristics (MMSE, behavioral problems, nutritional problems), caregiver's characteristics (female gender, number of tasks involved in caregiving, cohabitation) and the provision of medical services were independently associated with a high level of burden. In this study increased caregiver burden was related independently to increased levels of patient behaviour disturbance and cognitive impairment. However, neither the illness duration nor the functional disabilities in activities of daily living affected the level of burden. This may have relevance to appropriate interventions for informal caregivers.

Nourhashémi F, Gillette-Guyonnet S, Fort M, Andrieu S, Abbal M, Albarède JL, Vellas B. · Service de médecine interne et de gérontologie clinique, CHU Purpan-Casselardit, · Presse Med. · Pubmed #12610471 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Alzheimer is a multifactor disease occurring in a sensitive genetic territory. The e4 allele of the apolipoprotein E (APO E) is a recognised factor of risk. Some studies have suggested an association between the A2 allele of the HLA system and an earlier onset of the disease notably when it appears before the age of 64 or after the age of 75. The aim of our study was to explore this hypothesis in an independent sample of patients. METHODS: We compared the influence of the A2 allele of the HLA system on the age at onset of the disease in two groups of Caucasian patients presenting with Alzheimer's disease: early onset if the disease appeared before the age of 60 (n= 31) and late onset if it had appeared after the age of 75 (n= 44). The influence of the e4 allele of APO E was also taken into account. RESULTS: The comparison of the patients depending on the presence or not of at least one HLA-A2 allele revealed no significant difference, whatever the group of patients studied, in the age at onset of the disease. CONCLUSION: The age at onset of Alzheimer's disease was not influenced in our study by the presence of the HLA-A2 allele.

Nourhashemi F, Guyonnet S, Ousset PJ, Kostek V, Lauque S, Chumlea WC, Vellas B, Albarède JL. · Alzheimer Special Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Gerontology, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France. · Nestle Nutr Workshop Ser Clin Perform Programme. · Pubmed #11490599 No free full text.

This publication has no abstract.

Nourhashémi F, Andrieu S, Sastres N, Ducassé JL, Lauque D, Sinclair AJ, Albarède JL, Vellas BJ. · Service de Médecine Interne et de Gérontologie Clinique, CHU Purpan-Casselardit, Toulouse, France. · Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord. · Pubmed #11236821 No free full text.

Abstract: The aim of this project was to study the underlying reasons for emergency hospital admission of patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) and their characteristics. This prospective 4-month study identified 118 patients with DAT, most of whom were referred to the two emergency departments of the Toulouse University Hospital. The two main reasons for admission were behavioral problems (26.3%) and falls (18.6%). Patients were generally at an advanced stage of the disease process and had substantial evidence of poor nutritional status and loss of activities of daily living ability. About one third of patients had already been admitted to the hospital for the same reasons in the preceding months. Psychotropic drugs predominated (71%) among the current medications taken by the patients and were mainly anxiolytics and neuroleptics. Finally, the discharge report indicated that medications were a contributing factor in the disorders of 25% of patients. We believe that improved information for caregivers and early management and treatment are essential to respond adequately to the problems raised by this population.

Nourhashémi F, Ousset PJ, Guyonnet S, Andrieu S, Rolland Y, Adoue D, Vellas B, Albarède JL. · Service de médecine interne et de gérontologie clinique, hôpital Purpan-Casselardit, CHU, Toulouse, France. · Rev Med Interne. · Pubmed #10909152 No free full text.

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Sporadic Alzheimer's disease is the most frequent form of dementia and appears to be associated with increasing age and certain genetic and environmental factors. Some studies have recently been published on potential protective factors. CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND KEY POINTS: Several genes appear to be involved; one of the most common is the ApoE4 allele on chromosome 19. The physiopathology is not elucidated, but recent studies have shown a protective effect for NSAIDs, estrogen, nutritional factors (vitamins E, B6 and B12) as well as some biochemical amino acids (homocysteine). FUTURE PROSPECTS AND PROJECTS: Interventional studies are now in progress and some preventive approaches will soon be available.