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BackgroundAging is the most significant risk factor of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for approximately 60%–80% of all dementia cases in elderly individuals. This study aimed to examine the relationship between finger movements and brain function in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, using VSRAD, and explore the relationship between VSRAD and cognitive function (MoCA-J).MethodsPatients diagnosed with AD, at the Center for Comprehensive Care and Research on Memory Disorders, were included in the study. The diagnostic criteria were based on the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer’s Association. Patients were excluded based on set criteria. A finger-tapping device was used for all measurements. Participants performed the following task, in order: non-dominant hand, dominant hand, simultaneously, and alternate hands. Movements were measured for 15 s each. The relationship between distance and output was measured. MRI measurements were performed, after which VSRAD was performed using sagittal section 3D T1-weighted images. The Z-score was used to calculate the degree of atrophy. Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient was used to analyze the relationship between the Z-score and mean values of the parameters in the finger-tapping movements. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.ResultsSixty-two patients were included in the study. Z-scores for MoCA-J analysis, percentage of total brain atrophy in the white matter, and other VSRAD parameters showed varying negative correlations (r = -0. 28, p = 0. 035, r = -0. 31, p = 0. 020, and r = -0. 52, p < 0. 001), respectively. Varying positive correlations between Z-score and the SD of distance rate of velocity peak in extending movements in the non-dominant hand were observed.ConclusionThe SD of distance rate of velocity peak in extending movements and the Z-score showed a significant relationship. An association between neuropsychological tests and overall degree of brain atrophy was also observed.

BackgroundAging is the most significant risk factor for dementia. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) accounts for approximately 60–80% of all dementia cases in older adults. This study aimed to examine the relationship between finger movements and brain volume in AD patients using a voxel-based reginal analysis system for Alzheimer’s disease (VSRAD) software.MethodsPatients diagnosed with AD at the Center for Comprehensive Care and Research on Memory Disorders were included. The diagnostic criteria were based on the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer’s Association. A finger-tapping device was used for all measurements. Participants performed the tasks in the following order: with their non-dominant hand, dominant hand, both hands simultaneously, and alternate hands. Movements were measured for 15 s each. The relationship between distance and output was measured. Magnetic resonance imaging measurements were performed, and VSRAD was conducted using sagittal section 3D T1-weighted images. The Z-score was used to calculate the severity of medial temporal lobe atrophy. Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient analyzed the relationship between the severity of medial temporal lobe atrophy and mean values of the parameters in the finger-tapping movements. The statistical significance level was set at ResultsSixty-two patients were included in the study. Comparison between VSRAD and MoCA-J scores corrected for p-values showed a significant negative correlation with the extent of gray matter atrophy (r = -0. 52; p< 0.001). A positive correlation was observed between the severity of medial temporal lobe atrophy and standard deviation (SD) of the distance rate of velocity peak in extending movements in the non-dominant hand (r = 0. 51; p< 0.001).ConclusionsThe SD of distance rate of velocity peak in extending movements extracted from finger taps may be a useful parameter for the early detection of AD and diagnosis of its severity.

Aim A testing method for early diagnosis of Mild cognitive dementia (MCI) that can be easily applied in clinical practice was investigated in this study. We examined whether MCI risk can be determined through finger movements. Methods Between 2013 and 2020, 1097 individuals were screened. After applying propensity-score matching to adjust for variability between the groups, 173 individuals each in the mild cognitive impairment and control groups were selected. Thereafter, differences between groups in mean values of parameters extracted from finger tap movements were determined using unpaired t-test and effect size. Furthermore, area under the curve, sensitivity, and specificity were calculated from the receiver operating characteristic curve for parameters with significant difference. Results A significant difference was observed, especially in the number of taps in the MCI group compared with that in the control group ( p < .001; 95% CI, −12.7 to −8.8; r = 0.51). A cut-off value of 30 taps was applied (sensitivity, 0.77; specificity, 0.67; AUC, 0.79). Significant differences were also observed in rhythm-related parameters. Conclusions These parameters might be useful for capturing MCI risk. Finger taps are easily measured and may be suitable for screening large populations. This tool might be used as a supplemental method to increase the sensitivity of traditional cognitive tests.

Two-dimensional density distributions of damage, introduced into GaP by irradiation of the electron beams collimated by a slit with a 0.5 mm gap at incident energies of 10 and 16 MeV, were obtained by using optical density measurements. The lateral profile of damage can be approximated by a Gaussian profile for a depth z>2 mm; its lateral spread Δp increases from 0.29 to 2.35 mm for z=0.01 to 6.1 mm for 10 MeV. The increase in Δp is larger for a 10 MeV-electron beam than for a 16 MeV beam. This is explained by the larger lateral spread of traversing electrons for 10 MeV. The damage does not spread laterally as much as the electrons, which leads to a decrease of the lateral damage introduction rate. This is discussed in terms of the energy distribution and the scattering angle of electrons in matter.