Alzheimer Disease: Ferro J

Benisty S, Gouw AA, Porcher R, Madureira S, Hernandez K, Poggesi A, van der Flier WM, Van Straaten EC, Verdelho A, Ferro J, Pantoni L, Inzitari D, Barkhof F, Fazekas F, Chabriat H, Anonymous00042. · Department of Neurology, Lariboisière-Fernand Widal Hospital, APHP, Paris, France. · J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. · Pubmed #19211595 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: In cerebral small vessel disease, white-matter hyperintensities (WMH) and lacunes are both related to cognition. Still, their respective contribution in older people remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to assess the topographic distribution of lacunes and determine whether it has an impact on cognitive functions in a sample of non-disabled patients with age-related white-matter changes. METHODS: Data were drawn from the baseline evaluation of the LADIS (Leucoaraioisis and Disability study) cohort of non-disabled subjects beyond 65 years of age. The neuropsychological evaluation was based on the Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE), a modified Alzheimer Diseases Assessment Scale for global cognitive functions, and compound Z scores for memory, executive functions, speed and motor control. WMH were rated according to the Fazekas scale; the number of lacunes was assessed in the following areas: lobar white matter, putamen/pallidum, thalamus, caudate nucleus, internal/external capsule, infratentorial areas. An analysis of covariance was performed after adjustment for possible confounders. RESULTS: Among 633 subjects, 47% had at least one lacune (31% at least one within basal ganglia). The presence of lacunes in the thalamus was associated with lower scores of MMSE (beta = -0.61; p = 0.043), and worse compound scores for speed and motor control (beta = -0.25; p = 0.006), executive functions (beta = -0.19; p = 0.022) independently of the cognitive impact of WMH. There was also a significant negative association between the presence of lacunes in putamen/pallidum and the memory compound Z score (beta = -0.13; p = 0.038). By contrast, no significant negative association was found between cognitive parameters and the presence of lacunes in internal capsule, lobar white matter and caudate nucleus. CONCLUSION: In non-disabled elderly subjects with leucoaraisosis, the location of lacunes within subcortical grey matter is a determinant of cognitive impairment, independently of the extent of WMH.

Ylikoski R, Jokinen H, Andersen P, Salonen O, Madureira S, Ferro J, Barkhof F, van der Flier W, Schmidt R, Fazekas F, Scheltens P, Waldemar G, Salvadori E, Pantoni L, Inzitari D, Erkinjuntti T, Anonymous00192. · Memory Research Unit, Department of Neurology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. · Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. · Pubmed #17565216 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND/AIMS: The Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog) is a widely used rating instrument. The Vascular Dementia Assessment Scale cognitive subscale (VADAS-cog) includes additional tests reflecting mental speed and executive functions. The objective of this study was to compare the results of the two scales among subjects with various degrees of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs). METHODS: In the multicentre, multinational Leukoaraiosis and Disability in the Elderly (LADIS) study, 616 non-disabled subjects between the ages of 65 and 84 were examined using MRI, the ADAS-cog and VADAS-cog. The WMH rating from the MRI divided the patients into groups of mild (n = 280), moderate (n = 187) and severe (n = 149) degrees of change. RESULTS: Covariance analysis controlling for the effect of age and education revealed that the ADAS-cog differentiated only the mild and severe WMH groups, while the differences between all three groups were highly significant with the VADAS-cog. CONCLUSIONS: The VADAS-cog significantly differentiated between all the white matter groups. In comparison, the ADAS-cog differentiated only severe changes. Accordingly, the VADAS-cog may be a more sensitive endpoint in studies of patients with white matter load and vascular burden of the brain.

Madureira S, Verdelho A, Ferro J, Basile AM, Chabriat H, Erkinjuntti T, Fazekas F, Hennerici M, O'brien J, Pantoni L, Salvadori E, Scheltens P, Visser MC, Wahlund LO, Waldemar G, Wallin A, Inzitari D, Anonymous00156. · Serviço de Neurologia, Centro de Estudos Egas Moniz, Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisboa, Portugal. · Neuroepidemiology. · Pubmed #16943684 No free full text.

Abstract: The relationship between age-related white matter changes and cognitive performance in independent elderly people is still not clear. The Leukoaraiosis and Disability in the Elderly study (LADIS) involves 11 European centers. It aims to assess the role of the age-related white matter changes as an independent factor in the transition to disability, and in cognitive performance of an independent elderly population. A comprehensive neuropsychological battery was constructed in order to harmonize the cognitive assessment across countries. Patients were evaluated at baseline and during the 3-year follow-up with the Mini-Mental State Examination, a modified version of the VADAS-Cog (Alzheimer's Dementia Assessment Scale plus tests of Delayed recall, Symbol digit, Digit span, Maze, Digit cancellation and Verbal fluency), Trail making and Stroop test. Six hundred thirty-eight patients (mean age 74 +/- 5 years; mean educational level 10 +/- 4, F/M: 351/287) were included in this study. Neuropsychological data were analyzed test by test and also grouped in three compound measures (executive, memory and speed/motor control domains). Older subjects (>74 years) performed significantly worse than younger subjects on the ADAS-Mod and on the tests of memory (t(631) = 3.25; p = 0.001), executive functions (t(581) = 4.68; p = 0.001) and speed/motor control (t(587) = 4.01; p = 0.001). Participants with higher educational level (>8 years of school) showed better performances on the compound measures for memory (t(631) = 3.25; p = 0.001), executive functions (t(581) = 4.68; p = 0.001) and speed/motor control (t(587) = 4.01; p = 0.001). Using multiple regression analysis models to study the influence of demographic variables on cognitive performance, age and education remained important variables influencing test performance. In the LADIS population baseline data, older age and lower educational levels negatively influence neuropsychological performance.