Alzheimer Disease: Chavez M

Ringman JM, Grill J, Rodriguez-Agudelo Y, Chavez M, Xiong C. · Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer's Disease Research, UCLA Department of Neurology, Los Angeles, CA, USA. · Alzheimers Dement. · Pubmed #19328453 No free full text.

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Ringman JM, Diaz-Olavarrieta C, Rodriguez Y, Chavez M, Fairbanks L, Paz F, Varpetian A, Maldonado HC, Macias-Islas MA, Murrell J, Ghetti B, Kawas C. · Alzheimer's Disease Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1769, USA. · Neurology. · Pubmed #16116115 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Prospective and case-control studies have demonstrated that memory loss and executive dysfunction occur early in Alzheimer disease (AD). OBJECTIVE: To investigate these observations by the study of persons at risk for autosomal dominant forms of AD. METHODS: Neuropsychological and genetic tests were performed on 51 nondemented at-risk members of 10 Mexican families with two distinct presenilin-1 (PS1) mutations. Test scores were compared between PS1 mutation carriers (MCs; n = 30) and noncarriers (NCs; n = 21) by analyses of variance, co-varying for family and specific mutation. Regression analyses were performed, taking into account age relative to the median age at dementia diagnosis in the family (adjusted age), gender, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores, education, and number of APOE epsilon4 alleles. Subjects were divided into age tertiles and scores compared within these groups. Composite scores for Verbal Memory, Executive Function/Working Memory, Language, and Visuospatial Function were created, and these scores compared between MCs and NCs. RESULTS: MCs performed worse than NCs on the Mini-Mental State Examination, Trails Making Tests A and B, Delayed Recall of a 10-Word List, and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale WAIS Block Design. In multiple linear regression analyses, BDI score, gender, and number of APOE epsilon4 alleles did not consistently affect test scores. The differences seen between MCs and NCs were due to differences in the oldest tertile. MCs had lower Visuospatial and Executive Function/Working Memory but not Verbal Memory or Language composite scores. CONCLUSIONS: This study is consistent with findings in sporadic Alzheimer disease of early problems with memory, visuospatial function, and particularly with executive function in PS1 mutation carriers. Depression, gender, and presence of an APOE epsilon4 allele did not demonstrate large influences on neuropsychological performance.

Ringman JM, Diaz-Olavarrieta C, Rodriguez Y, Chavez M, Paz F, Murrell J, Macias MA, Hill M, Kawas C. · Alzheimer's Disease Center, UCLA Department of Neurology, Los Angeles, California 90095-1769, USA. · J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. · Pubmed #14966176 links to  free full text

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To study depressive symptoms in preclinical presenilin-1 (PS1) related Alzheimer's disease. METHODS: Participants were 33 Mexican women at risk for inheriting PS1 mutations who were not demented. They were interviewed, underwent cognitive testing, and completed the Beck depression inventory (BDI). PS1 mutation status was determined. Mean BDI scores were compared between PS1 mutation carriers and non-carriers. The percentage of subjects who reported seeing a psychiatric professional, and the percentage complaining of memory loss were compared between groups. Regression analysis was used to determine whether mutation status predicted BDI scores after adjusting for age, education, mini-mental state examination, and subjective memory function. RESULTS: PS1 mutation carriers (n = 17) scored significantly higher than non-carriers (n = 16) on the BDI (mean score, 14.4 v 6.5, p = 0.017); 24% of mutation carriers and 12.5% of non-carriers admitted having sought help from a psychiatric professional (NS). Mutation status remained a significant predictor of BDI scores after adjusting for potential covariates. Though not demented, mutation carriers tended to score lower than non-carriers on several neuropsychological tests. CONCLUSIONS: Depressive symptoms can occur early in the course of PS1 related Alzheimer's disease, at least in women. This supports the hypothesis that depression may occur as a direct result of the neuropathology underlying Alzheimer's disease.